Last Updated on September 6, 2024
The corporate world, with its vast and unending demands, will always take its toll especially when you stay behind your desk or within the walls of a boardroom the whole day. Whether for health, mental, or emotional reasons, there will always be a day when you’ll find yourself saying, “Enough.” This is a common story that you will hear from digital nomads whenever you ask them what made them decide to start exploring the world.
Digital Nomads at a Glance
Digital nomads work from everywhere, traveling all over to accomplish what they need to do to earn while making the most out of technology. All that you need is a laptop, an internet connection, and the guts to travel to places completely unknown to you, and you’re all set. Some manage their own travel blogs and earn from sponsorships, ads, and affiliate marketing. Some are food critics who do not only get to enjoy the places they explore, but a variety of food as well.
It’s interesting how most of them stumbled upon this way of living. Some of them used to be lawyers who decided that dying of stress early is not an option for them. Some are simply people who cannot be confined in a small space at any given moment, and could only become productive if given the time and creative freedom they need. Some have experienced the corporate chaos, some have lived like this their whole lives. But their modern twist to a nomadic lifestyle has definitely created such a huge following that more and more people have chosen to live like this despite the risks.
The Digital Nomad’s Paradise
What does it take for a specific location to be considered as a digital nomad’s paradise? There’s the low cost of living of course, paired with great internet service. The climate and weather would depend on the person, as some would find remote tropical areas to fit them perfectly, while others would rather go to places where they can enjoy all four seasons.
Considering all these, here are some of the cities where most digital nomads prefer living and working from:
Note: Monthly expenses and internet speeds were collected from Nomadlist.com.
Prague, Czech Republic
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Requiring only around $978/month for you to survive, Prague is definitely a top choice, especially when you factor in their high internet speeds of up to 40mbps. Although the winters can get extremely harsh, digital nomads flock here by the droves not only because of the blazing fast connectivity, but because of the amount of inspiration that one could get with its cobblestoned paths, magnificent cathedrals, and endless amount of museums to visit. And by the way, Prague is also home to the largest ancient castle in the world, the Prague Castle.
Chiang Mai, Thailand
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Imagine needing only around $635/month to live here. This is one of the reasons why Chiang Mai has become a hub for digital nomads and young entrepreneurs in Southeast Asia. Internet speeds can’t compare to Prague, but it’s still 20mbps worth of connection. It’s a lot smaller than the more famous city of Bangkok, but this also means that it’s a whole lot quieter as well. Healthcare is world-class despite the low price, and it is also home to an international airport from where you can conveniently fly to almost everywhere.
Riga, Latvia
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Riga has the same internet speeds as Prague at 40mbps, but the cost of living is higher. It’s just a fairly small difference though, as you would need around $1,143/month to live here. If you enjoy architecture though, that small hike in cost of living is more than worth it, considering that Riga is home to the largest collection of art nouveau architecture in Europe. Despite the modern conveniences that it offers, the scenes around the heart of the city could still make you feel like you’re living smack in the middle of a fairy tale.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
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You only need around $964/month to live in this city, and you could reach internet speeds of up to 20mbps. Ho Chi Minh is also on the list of Southeast Asia’s most livable cities, which probably explains why so many online entrepreneurs and other digital nomads have started setting up shop here the past couple of years. There is so much history to enjoy here as well, so there are plenty of museums and other attractions to explore should you need to take some time away from your laptop.
Bucharest, Romania
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Anybody wouldn’t mind shelling out up to $1,647/month if it means having access to 80mbps the entire time. Bucharest is also strategically located, and should give you easy access to the rest of Europe should you decide to pack a few things and explore the rest of the continent, either through plane or via rail.
Davao, Philippines
Yes, the humid weather averages at 34°C, but it’s all okay knowing that you’ll be working right at the shores of some of the best beaches you’ve ever seen. Average cost of living in Davao is $1,028/month, and although internet speeds are just at 5mbps, it’s enough for digital nomads who want to experience working smack in the middle of paradise.
Undoubtedly, the freedom and the perks that come with each of these places are more than enough for anybody to leave everything behind and start living a digital nomad’s lifestyle.
