These Cities Around The Globe Are Ideal For Digital Nomads

Just a few years ago, the ability to work remotely from anywhere in the world was a dream scenario for most Americans. Now for many, it’s the status quo — making the questions of which cities around the globe are best for digital nomads a hot topic.

Maybe you’re self-employed and have the flexibility to work from anywhere. Perhaps your company is granting employees the ability to work from abroad for a month per year — or even indefinitely. No matter the length of time you have to spend abroad, these are some of the top cities around the world for digital nomads, based on the cost of living, availability aof expat and nomad communities, ease and cost of transportation, internet services, co-working and co-living spaces, proximity to popular side trips, climate, and of course dining, social, and cultural scenes that make these destinations someplace any citizen of the world would be lucky to call home.

Bangkok, Thailand

With a large expat community, great transportation system, reasonable cost of living, and super-fast internet network, Bangkok has become a popular choice for digital nomads in recent years. In addition to a user-friendly urban infrastructure, the city boasts an incredible mix of architecture ranging from ancient temples to futuristic skyscrapers. And with everything from Michelin-starred street food stalls like Jay Fai to some of the world’s top spots for fine dining restaurants (Le Du, Sorn, and Gaa, to name a few), its singular dining scene is unmatched.

Once digital nomads have time to explore the sprawling, wonderfully-chaotic city, they can head to the Suvarnabhumi Bangkok Airport, which makes it easy to visit Chiang Mai, the stunning islands of southern Thailand, or virtually any other major destination in Southeast Asia within easy reach.

Barcelona, Spain

Thanks to its beautiful beaches, world-class nightlife scene, mild Mediterranean climate, and masterpieces of architecture like Gaudí’s Sagrada Famila, Casa Batlló, and Park Güell, the capital of Catalonia has long been one of the most popular vacation destinations around the globe.

Now due to a thriving expat and nomad community, the fastest internet speeds in the country, a good transportation network, presence of modern co-working spaces, and reasonable cost of living compared to other popular destinations in western Europe, it’s also an obvious choice for digital nomads looking to do a deep-dive into another culture.

The incredible list of affordable flight and train options for weekend getaways — including Mallorca and Menorca, Sitges, Granada, Seville, Valencia, and Madrid — mean it’s impossible to run out of nearby places to quickly, easily, and affordably explore.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

With its world-class museums, wide flowering boulevards, incredible music and dancing scenes, one of the world’s most beautiful and most-visited cemeteries, and fine examples of Neoclassical, Art Deco, and Art Nouveau architecture, Buenos Aires lives up to its nickname of “The Paris of South America.” Affordable short- and long-term apartment rentals, easy and inexpensive public transport, a bevy of co-working spaces make it an ideal choice for Americans looking to relocate. Plus, there’s a tremendous value for your money when it comes to food and dining.

Lisbon, Portugal

A rich history, buzzy culinary scene, and countless churches, monasteries, and other centuries-old buildings covered in iconic azulejo tiles have made Portugal’s capital city a hot destination for travelers in the last decade or so. Coupled with affordable apartment rentals and co-working spaces, a wealth of internet-friendly bars and cafes, an affordable and easy-to-navigate transportation systems, and a mild climate year-round make it an excellent choice for creative types who can work remotely.

Mexico City, Mexico

Mexico City’s vibrant arts, culture, and dining scenes have long made it one of the world’s most cosmopolitan cities around the globe. But as the single largest city in North America (yes, it’s even bigger than New York City and Los Angeles), it may make even more sense to spend a month or three…or twelve…to explore it rather than just a weeklong vacation. Modern co-working spaces abound, there’s a well-connected bus and metro system, and there are tons of social networks for foreigners, making it an ideal city for nomads to explore.

Prague, Czech Republic

Undoubtedly one of Europe’s most beautiful cities, Prague boasts an ideal mix of rich history, jaw-dropping architecture, a fantastic food scene, and gorgeous urban greenspaces. And since the Czech Republic is bordered by Austria, Germany, Poland, and Slovakia, the bustling city of Prague gives nomads a fantastic home base for exploring neighboring countries.

Digital nomads interested in living in the country for longer than three months can apply for its Zivno visa, a long-term business visa for foreigners who want to live and conduct business in the country for up to a year.