The 5 Best Cities for Digital Nomads
The 5 Best Cities for Digital Nomads
When we talk with clients about what country will make the best new home for them, a non-zero percent of them say, “Why not all of them?” Recent research indicates over a quarter of Millennial and Gen Z workers are planning for the digital nomad life in 2025.
Where to? Practically anywhere, really, as long as the country offers digital nomad visas and your employer doesn’t need you back in the office. But several cities rise to the top of the list for quality of life, affordability, and work accessibility.
- Chiang Mai, Thailand
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Chiang Mai is a great pick for any nomad looking for stunning views, tropical climate, ancient temples and blazing internet speed all in one place. Thailand offers digital nomad visas, letting you stay longer than a regular tourist visa and work while you’re there. The average monthly rent is $227.66, and the average Northern Thai meal is delicious.
- Budapest, Hungary
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For digital nomads who like stunning architecture and a buzzing nightlife with their history and beautiful views, Budapest is a city of choice. It ranks highly for safety and cost of internet access, and Hungary also offers digital nomad visas. Also, do a search for “ruin bar” to learn about one reason for the nightlife buzz.
- Prague, Czech Republic
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Prague is what happens when a Disney castle comes to life and gets wifi. The city is as magical as the cost of internet access is reasonable. The Czech Republic offers digital nomad visas for up to a year, giving you 365 days to walk its cobbled streets, drink its delicious beer, and work from a cafe in one of the world’s happiest countries.
- Bangkok, Thailand
We head back to Thailand for digital nomads who plan to land in Bangkok. In contrast to the lively but easy environment in Chiang Mai, Bangkok is constant energy, nightlife, soaring skylines and ancient temples, with internet just as fast as life moving around you and a comfortable cost of living. The city is like no other, and the average rent is $302.34, so you can give yourself plenty of time to explore it all.
- Madrid, Spain
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If you like tapas to fuel your all-nighters, Madrid should be high on your list. It’s a gorgeous city full of history, culture, and more welcoming neighbors than you might expect in a city of its size. Spain also offers digital nomad visas, and with high rankings for safety and quality of life, it’s natural that Madrid would be a favorite landing spot.
Jen Barnett is the co-founder of Expatsi, a company that's helped thousands of Americans on their moving abroad journeys. She created the Expatsi Test, an assessment that recommends countries for aspiring emigrants based on lifestyle data. Jen has an MBA from Emory University with concentrations in marketing and innovation. Prior to Expatsi, she created Freshfully and Bottle & Bone—two businesses in the local food space—and spoke at TEDx on being brave. She lives in Mérida, Yucatán, along with her husband and co-founder Brett, pitbull mix Squiggy, and two rotten cats. How can she help you move abroad?
