The world is changing fast, and more and more people are choosing to work remotely. If you have a computer and an internet connection, most professions let you work from any location in the world.
Still, not all places in the U.S. and around the world are equally well-suited for remote workers. Here are some of the important questions to consider when starting the exciting search for locations where you can work remotely and 10 awesome locations to be a digital nomad.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Remote Work Location
Some locations are better than others for setting up shop as a remote worker, and a few places aren't able to support the digital nomad lifestyle. Consider the following when choosing your remote work location. You can visit online forums, expat websites, and social media groups to get the inside scoop on these conditions.
How safe is the location?
As a remote worker, you need to think of your safety differently than other travelers. You are not just passing through, but living and working somewhere new.
A primary concern is theft. If your laptop is stolen, you're out of business until you buy a new one, which could be difficult to do. You should also understand the risk of violent crime, the political stability of a region, and whether there are significant threats to peace in the area. It's best to choose a place where your safety is not at risk and you can enjoy the freedom to move about.
What is the internet situation like?
Fast and reliable internet is a must for any remote worker. Luckily, internet connectivity has become a common feature of most places on Earth, even those that are not traditionally considered tech hubs, such as rural areas in Eastern Europe.
Still, reliable internet is much different than just having an internet connection that might be spotty and subject to outages. Speed and reliability of the internet connection are essential, and equally so is the quality of support. If your router stops working, you want to be able to get it fixed within one business day.
Is electricity reliable?
You will also want to consider the electricity situation in the area, particularly if you do any video editing, have regular online meetings, or work in the cloud.
Is there consistent power? If not, how frequent are outages and how long do they last? Power can be particularly tricky in developing countries and areas that experience regular storms.
What is the overall cost of living in the area?
While some places may seem cheap at first glance, their overall cost of living can get pretty high when all expenses are tallied up. You will want to consider the cost of living, including internet, housing, food and beverages, flights home, entertainment, and local transportation when choosing where to work remotely.
Do you need a digital nomad visa?
Some countries have strict rules about whether you can work within their borders and, if you do, what paperwork you have to file first, the kind of taxes you have to pay, and all kinds of other bureaucratic “fun.” Start by checking out our quick guide to getting a digital nomad visa, with a list of countries and high-level overview of their requirements.
10 Best Places to Work Remotely
Here are our picks for some of the best cities to live and work remotely. Choose one — or two or more — that works best for you.
1. Barcelona, Spain
People love Barcelona for its weather, incredible architecture — the city is home to Gaudi’s famous Sagrada Familia basilica, after all — great food, and beaches. It is a relatively inexpensive place to work in Europe compared to destinations like London and Paris. There are also plenty of coworking spaces to choose from, including betahaus, La Vaca, and Kubik Barcelona, which are three of the most popular coworking spots. The expat community in Barcelona is quite large, and there are active Facebook groups where many digital nomads meet up regularly.
2. Berlin, Germany
Berlin is well known for its art scene. There are plenty of galleries and museums to visit, including the famous Berlin Wall Memorial. Berlin has a ton of coworking spaces, as well as a lot of cafes with great coffee and fast Wi-Fi. You can find an amazing apartment for around $440 per month, which is more than reasonable considering that you get to live in Berlin.
3. Lisbon, Portugal
Portugal has long been known as one of the best countries in Europe for digital nomads. Combine it with the fact that it’s one of the continent’s most inexpensive countries, and you have two important ingredients for setting up a work-from-anywhere life abroad. As the capital, Lisbon has a big-city feel with the opportunities and variety that come with it. If you really love it here, Portugal will let you change your visa status to a Non-Habitual Resident after 183 days, earning you tax breaks. But if you’re still searching for the perfect spot, Lisbon is a great jumping-off point for exploring the rest of the country and finding the destination that’s just right for you.
4. Sámara, Costa Rica
While the capital, San Jose, offers loads of amenities that are great for digital nomads — good Wi-Fi, plenty of places to stay and explore — most digital nomads who have been there, done that prefer to get out of the big city. Sámara in the Guanacaste province is a favorite, especially if you’re looking for beaches. Cost of living is relatively low, and Costa Rica as a whole has an extensive expat community to help you settle in. If you’re looking for a coworking space in Sámara, check out LoCoworking.
5. Antigua and Barbuda
Antigua and Barbuda, in the eastern Caribbean, allows you to stay for up to two years on its Nomad Digital Residence visa. Although application fees are a bit steep — $1,500 for an individual, up to $3,000 for a family — you won’t have to pay income tax on these islands once you’re there. Because it’s considered a luxury vacation spot, living in Antigua and Barbuda is a little more expensive than some of the other locations on this list. However, think of it as getting what you pay for. Quality of life is generally considered higher than some other digital nomad hot spots.
6. Singapore
Located in Southeast Asia, Singapore is a safe and clean city with plenty to do. The food is amazing and very affordable, and there is great internet as well as friendly people. Singaporeans are extremely hard-working, so you’ll find a productive atmosphere if you choose to work in one of the many coworking spaces.
7. Bangkok, Thailand
Bangkok is the capital of Thailand and the country's most exciting city. Accommodation is cheap, the weather is great for most of the year, and you can live a very comfortable lifestyle on a modest budget. The cost of living is low and a decent hotel room can be found for $20 USD per night, while apartment rentals can be as little as $200 USD per month.
You can get unlimited high-speed internet installed in your apartment for as little as $13 per month. The internet speeds are fast, too. As an added bonus, Bangkok is located only a short flight away from many other popular digital nomad destinations such as Chiang Mai and Koh Pha Ngan.
8. Manila, Philippines
The Philippines has become one of Asia's most popular digital nomad hot spots in recent years. There are two main reasons for that: first, you can get by on an extremely small budget here, and second, there are many coworking spaces where you can meet other like-minded people.
Places like Cebu City and Davao City have seen quite a few digital nomads set permanent roots, while Manila is a great spot to stay if you want to explore more of Asia.
9. Bali, Indonesia
If you love to surf, you probably already know about Bali. It's a small island in Indonesia with great waves, friendly locals, and a bustling nightlife scene. Bali is by far the most developed island of the group and offers endless opportunities for remote workers. There are many coworking spaces to choose from, and Wi-Fi is pretty dependable throughout most of the island. The best time to visit Bali is between April and October when the island's climate is more temperate.
10. Penang, Malaysia
One of the main cities in Malaysia, Penang has one of the best food cultures in Asia, if not the world, thanks to the intersection of Malay, Chinese, and Indian cultures. Because Penang is on an island just seven miles from the Malay peninsula, it also has great beaches. English is widely spoken here, and internet connections are fast and reliable. Living in Penang is cheap, and traveling around the world from here is easy with direct flights to Europe, the U.S., and throughout Asia.
Remember to Get Insurance When You Work Remotely
Travel insurance is an essential part of planning any travel and remote work experience. This is especially true if you're a digital nomad and exposed to potential health and financial risks.
If you’re planning to be abroad for more than a year, consider our Expat & Nomad Health Insurance, which is ideal for covering your long-term health insurance needs. For nomads planning to come and go on shorter, frequent trips, one of our annual travel insurance plans might be a better fit. Check out Seven Corners Trip Protection Annual Multi-Trip and Seven Corners Travel Medical Annual Multi-Trip for more.
You can also talk with one of our licensed travel insurance agents to find the best travel insurance for your next adventure.
