The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the traditional way of working, leading to a significant increase in remote work. The trend of remote work had already been gaining momentum in recent years, but the pandemic has accelerated it. With remote work becoming more popular, people are looking for cities that offer a great quality of life, affordable cost of living, and a thriving remote work community.
In this blog post, we will explore the top cities for remote work in 2021. We will discuss the reasons why these cities are great for remote work, their cost of living, and the quality of life they offer.
1. Austin, Texas
Austin is a city that has been growing in popularity over the past few years, and for good reason. It has a thriving tech industry, a great quality of life, and a relatively low cost of living. In addition, Austin has a strong remote work community, with many co-working spaces and networking events for remote workers. The city also offers plenty of outdoor activities, such as hiking and biking, and a vibrant nightlife.
Austin is home to many tech companies, including Dell, IBM, and Amazon. The city is also known for its music scene, with many live music venues and festivals throughout the year. Austin has a warm climate, with hot summers and mild winters. The city is also home to many parks and outdoor spaces, including Zilker Park, Lady Bird Lake, and Barton Springs Pool.
The cost of living in Austin is relatively low compared to other tech hubs like San Francisco and New York City. According to Numbeo, the cost of living in Austin is 26.5% lower than in San Francisco. The median home price in Austin is $365,000, which is lower than the median home price in San Francisco ($1.4 million).
2. Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon is a beautiful city that offers a great quality of life and a low cost of living. It has a rich cultural heritage, with many museums, galleries, and historical sites to explore. Lisbon also has a thriving startup scene and a growing remote work community. The city has many co-working spaces and networking events for remote workers, making it easy to connect with others in the same industry.
Lisbon is known for its beautiful architecture, including the Belem Tower and the Jeronimos Monastery. The city also has a vibrant nightlife, with many bars, clubs, and restaurants. Lisbon is located on the coast, which means there are many beaches and outdoor activities to enjoy.
The cost of living in Lisbon is lower than in many other European cities. According to Numbeo, the cost of living in Lisbon is 44.5% lower than in London. The median home price in Lisbon is €350,000, which is lower than the median home price in London (£480,000).
3. Chiang Mai, Thailand
Chiang Mai is a popular destination for digital nomads and remote workers. It offers a low cost of living, a great quality of life, and a vibrant expat community. The city has many co-working spaces and networking events for remote workers, and there are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy, such as hiking and biking. Chiang Mai is also known for its delicious food, with many local markets and street vendors selling affordable and tasty meals.
Chiang Mai is located in northern Thailand, surrounded by mountains and forests. The city has a rich cultural heritage, with many temples and historical sites to explore. Chiang Mai is also home to many festivals throughout the year, including the famous Songkran festival.
The cost of living in Chiang Mai is very low compared to many other cities. According to Numbeo, the cost of living in Chiang Mai is 60.5% lower than in New York City. The median home price in Chiang Mai is ฿3.5 million, which is lower than the median home price in New York City ($680,000).
4. Medellin, Colombia
Medellin has undergone a transformation in recent years, becoming a vibrant and cosmopolitan city that offers a great quality of life and a low cost of living. It has a growing tech industry and a thriving startup scene, making it a great destination for remote workers. The city also has a strong expat community, with many co-working spaces and networking events for remote workers. Medellin is known for its beautiful parks, museums, and art galleries, as well as its delicious food and vibrant nightlife.
Medellin is located in the Andes Mountains, surrounded by beautiful scenery. The city has a rich cultural heritage, with many museums and historical sites to explore. Medellin is also known for its festivals, including the famous Feria de las Flores.
The cost of living in Medellin is very low compared to many other cities. According to Numbeo, the cost of living in Medellin is 67.4% lower than in San Francisco. The median home price in Medellin is COP 400 million, which is lower than the median home price in San Francisco ($1.4 million).
5. Tbilisi, Georgia
Tbilisi is a beautiful city that offers a great quality of life and a low cost of living. It has a rich cultural heritage, with many museums, galleries, and historical sites to explore. Tbilisi also has a growing startup scene and a thriving remote work community. The city has many co-working spaces and networking events for remote workers, making it easy to connect with others in the same industry. Tbilisi is also known for its delicious food, with many local markets and restaurants selling affordable and tasty meals.
Tbilisi is located in the Caucasus Mountains, surrounded by beautiful scenery. The city has a rich cultural heritage, with many churches and historical sites to explore. Tbilisi is also known for its festivals, including the famous Tbilisoba festival.
The cost of living in Tbilisi is very low compared to many other cities. According to Numbeo, the cost of living in Tbilisi is 71.6% lower than in New York City. The median home price in Tbilisi is GEL 400,000, which is lower than the median home price in New York City ($680,000).
6. Bali, Indonesia
Bali is a popular destination for digital nomads and remote workers. It offers a great quality of life, a low cost of living, and a beautiful natural environment. The island has many co-working spaces and networking events for remote workers, and there are plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy, such as surfing and yoga. Bali is also known for its delicious food, with many local markets and restaurants selling affordable and tasty meals.
Bali is located in Indonesia, surrounded by beautiful beaches and forests. The island has a rich cultural heritage, with many temples and historical sites to explore. Bali is also known for its festivals, including the famous Nyepi festival.
The cost of living in Bali is very low compared to many other cities. According to Numbeo, the cost of living in Bali is 75.3% lower than in New York City. The median home price in Bali is IDR 4.5 billion, which is lower than the median home price in New York City ($680,000).
7. Tallinn, Estonia
Tallinn is a beautiful city that offers a great quality of life and a low cost of living. It has a thriving tech industry and a growing startup scene, making it a great destination for remote workers. The city also has a strong expat community, with many co-working spaces and networking events for remote workers. Tallinn is known for its beautiful old town, museums, and art galleries, as well as its delicious food and vibrant nightlife.
Tallinn is located on the coast of the Baltic Sea, surrounded by beautiful scenery. The city has a rich cultural heritage, with many churches and historical sites to explore. Tallinn is also known for its festivals, including the famous Tallinn Music Week.
The cost of living in Tallinn is very low compared to many other cities. According to Numbeo, the cost of living in Tallinn is 44.1% lower than in London. The median home price in Tallinn is €175,000, which is lower than the median home price in London (£480,000).
8. Belgrade, Serbia
Belgrade is a city that offers a great quality of life and a low cost of living. It has a growing tech industry and a thriving startup scene, making it a great destination for remote workers. The city also has a strong expat community, with many co-working spaces and networking events for remote workers. Belgrade is known for its beautiful parks, museums, and art galleries, as well as its delicious food and vibrant nightlife.
Belgrade is located on the banks of the Danube and Sava rivers, surrounded by beautiful scenery. The city has a rich cultural heritage, with many churches and historical sites to explore. Belgrade is also known for its festivals, including the famous Belgrade Beer Fest.
The cost of living in Belgrade is very low compared to many other cities. According to Numbeo, the cost of living in Belgrade is 68.1% lower than in San Francisco. The median home price in Belgrade is RSD 22 million, which is lower than the median home price in San Francisco ($1.4 million).
9. Valencia, Spain
Valencia is a beautiful city that offers a great quality of life and a low cost of living. It has a growing tech industry and a thriving startup scene, making it a great destination for remote workers. The city also has a strong expat community, with many co-working spaces and networking events for remote workers. Valencia is known for its beautiful beaches, parks, museums, and art galleries, as well as its delicious food and vibrant nightlife.
Valencia is located on the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, surrounded by beautiful beaches and forests. The city has a rich cultural heritage, with many museums and historical sites to explore. Valencia is also known for its festivals, including the famous Las Fallas festival.
The cost of living in Valencia is very low compared to many other cities. According to Numbeo, the cost of living in Valencia is 43.5% lower than in London. The median home price in Valencia is €230,000, which is lower than the median home price in London (£480,000).
10. Budapest, Hungary
Budapest is a beautiful city that offers a great quality of life and a low cost of living. It has a thriving tech industry and a growing startup scene, making it a great destination for remote workers. The city also has a strong expat community, with many co-working spaces and networking events for remote workers. Budapest is known for its beautiful architecture, museums, and art galleries, as well as its delicious food and vibrant nightlife.
Budapest is located on the banks of the Danube river, surrounded by beautiful scenery. The city has a rich cultural heritage, with many churches and historical sites to explore. Budapest is also known for its festivals, including the famous Budapest Wine Festival.
The cost of living in Budapest is very low compared to many other cities. According to Numbeo, the cost of living in Budapest is 58.5% lower than in New York City. The median home price in Budapest is HUF 60 million, which is lower than the median home price in New York City ($680,000).
Conclusion
In conclusion, these are the top cities for remote work in 2021. They offer a great quality of life, a low cost of living, and a thriving remote work community. Whether you are a digital nomad, a remote worker, or just looking for a change of scenery, these cities are worth considering.