The Best Cities for First-Time Digital Nomads
Digital nomadism is on the rise and an exciting way to live your life. With the increase in remote work, many people are switching home bases every couple of months so that they can more easily live and work in which ever part of the world they prefer. Digital nomadism is the art of maintaining a full-time career as a freelancer, entrepreneur, or remote worker while traveling the world and experiencing life.
But deciding where to start your digital nomad journey can be incredibly overwhelming, especially as a first-timer. Now I want to know what are the the best places for first time digital nomads to connect with their new community? In this post, we will dive into some of the best places for first-time nomads including key aspects such as affordability, internet speed, co-working, community, and lifestyle.
1. Bali, Indonesia
Why First-time Digital Nomads Will Love It:
Bali has been one of the most popular digital nomad hubs for quite some time, and with good reason. Island life — tropical lifestyle at a reasonably low price, friendly people and perfect setup for remote work.
Affordability:
While the prices vary considerably from one region of the island to another, Bali is very reasonable in terms of accommodation, food and services for Digital Nomads. From a very simple home to an elite villa you have everything as per your budget.
Digital Nomad Community:
There are millions of digital nomads living in Bali. Ubud and Canggu are littered with remote workers, giving you a great opportunity to meet other likeminded people. This destination has a great sense of community, and countless nomads make new connections, collaborations, and brainstorm ideas frequently.
Co-working Spaces:
Bali, especially Canggu and Ubud, has tons of co-working spaces around. These spaces are tailored to remote workers, with reliable Wi-Fi, and comfortable seating, and social events. Some famous coworking spaces are Dojo Bali and Outpost Bali.
Lifestyle and Activities:
Bali is all about work Then also much more than work. You can discover gorgeous beaches, hike volcanoes, or do yoga at a retreat. With its laid-back atmosphere and focus on wellbeing, Bali is a fantastic place to combine work and life.
2. Chiang Mai, Thailand
Ideal for New Digital Nomads
Chiang Mai is a Talented Digital Nomads Hub in Asia Chiang Mai is known for its affordability, great infrastructure, and friendly locals, providing the essentials for any type of digital nomad in one city.
Affordability:
Chiang Mai is very cheap. That means that first-time digital nomads can find a comfortable yet inexpensive place to live, eat and travel around. Private apartments can be found for $300 or less a month.
Digital Nomad Community:
There is a signalling location for digital nomads in Chiang Mai and many remote workers live here for months on end. Good soughing and key co-work space are helping to make the city an ideal launch pad for a key first-timer. There are also ample chances to connect with fellow nomads, attend those meetups, and partake in social events.
Co-working Spaces:
You do however have a different range of co-working spaces to choose from like Punspace and Chiang Mai Co-Working Space. They are equipped spaces offering high-speed internet, comfortable working environments, and a sense of community.
Lifestyle and Activities:
Chiang Mai: Work and Culture There are lots to do, from visiting ancient temples and markets to experiencing local cuisine. Add on its located in northern Thailand, so you have mountains and nature around you for weekend activities.
3. Lisbon, Portugal
Why It's Amazing for a Digital Nomad to Visit for the First Time:
Although, rapid over the last few years, Lisbon has become one of the most popular cities in Europe for the digital nomads. From history to a mild weather to tech scene — everything a digital nomad demands to thrive is here in Lisbon.
Affordability:
Compared to Southeast Asia, Lisbon is pricier but compared to other Western European capitals, it is still quite inexpensive. Comfortably priced accommodation, meals and entertainment.
Digital Nomad Community:
Lisbon has a very large growing moving population of digital nomads. Being a city where remote workers flock in from all over the globe, the meetups and networking events are plentiful. The friendly vibe also makes it easy to mingle and network.
Co-working Spaces:
Second Home Lisbon and Lisbon WorkHub are just a few of the different co-working spaces that the city has available. These areas provide the internet access, contemporary conveniences, and a space that promotes ingenuity.
Lifestyle and Activities:
Lisbon is the ideal city for the work-life balance The beaches are always beautiful, the views matched, and the culture is rich enough to never lack for adventure outside of work. It is also famous for its gastronomic offer, vibrant nightlife, and good public transport.
4. Mexico City, Mexico
What Makes It Awesome For New Digital Nomads:
Mexico City is not only lively and stimulating but also one of the best cities to visit as a digital nomad for the first time. Mexico City is well-known for its rich culture, amazing food, and booming tech scene but it also caters to remote workers in a unique way.
Affordability:
Everybody knows that Mexico city is super cheap (compared to literally any city in North America or Europe). Digital nomads can live comfortably without spending too much, as rent, food and transportation are much cheaper over there.
Digital Nomad Community:
Mexico City has a sizable and diverse digital nomad community, with plenty of events, meetups and co-working spaces that suit remote workers. SPACES is great for networking — whether you are a freelancer, entrepreneur, or remote employee.
Co-working Spaces:
There are a lot of co-working spaces in the city like WeWork Mexico City and Nest Coworking. Perfect for digital nomads looking for a place to work and mingle. It has a high speed internet and well equipping infrastructure you will get every necessary thing to stay productive.
Lifestyle and Activities:
Full of museums, monuments, history, and incredible food, CDMX is a cultural capital. Mexico City is a perfect combination of work and leisure activities, whether you are walking through the historic center, visiting archaeological sites, or having lunch at a taco stand.
5. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Why it is Awesome for New Digital Nomads:
The city formerly known as Saigon is one of the new hot spots for digital nomads–Ho Chi Minh City (or HCMC for short). And with a blend of traditional culture and modern infrastructure, it is a perfect digital nomad city for those wanting to see a lively city and also get in work time.
Affordability:
Then Ho Chi Minh City so cheap! It is possible to find a decent apartment for as low as $300/month, you will find food and transportation to be low as well. That is why it makes it a good choice for first-time digital nomads who are trying to get the most out of their money.
Digital Nomad Community:
Ho Chi Minh City is a close second in terms of the vast number of digital nomads outside of Thailand. Table of Contents1.1 Due to the affordable cost of living here, you can meet many remote workers, so it is not uncommon to experience the nomadic lifestyle together. The city also houses social events and meetups.
Co-working Spaces:
There are many co-working spaces in such a huge city like this; of which The Hive Saigon and Dreamplex are well-known names. They are ideal as co-working hubs for digital nomads, who need fast internet, are working in a comfortable environment, and collaborate with others.
Lifestyle and Activities:
Indeed, the idea of Ho Chi Minh city is lively and modern, yet traditional. Whether it is through market and street food hopping or museum and historical site hopping — there are always things to do on this half of the work-life puzzle. On top of that, the natural beauty of Vietnam is just a stone throw away, incredible beaches and mountains nearby.
6. Tallinn, Estonia
Why First-Time Digital Nomads Will Love It:
Tallinn: Capital of Estonia, where the tech innovation scene has become strong, and a digital-friendly place. Tallinn is a great city for digital nomads, with plenty of medieval charm next to modern technology.
Affordability:
It was interesting to learn that Tallinn is inexpensive in contrast with other European capitals. With cheap accommodations, food, and transport, it is one of the best options for digital nomads that are coming to Europe for the first time and want to do it on a budget.
Digital Nomad Community:
Tallinn: Thanks to the e-residency program, there has been a growing community of digital nomad in Estonia, and that has made running your business remotely from anywhere in the world pretty easy. This makes the city one of the most nomad-friendly places in Europe thanks to its digital infrastructure.
Co-working Spaces:
Tallinn has loads of co-working spaces, Lift99 and Workland for example. These spaces fulfill the requirements of remote workers and entrepreneurs having everything one needs to work effectively.
Lifestyle and Activities:
Tallinn is a nice balance of old-world charm and new-world convenience. Visit the medieval Old Town, spend time in the lovely parks or experience the vibrant café scene. Another important reason for the increasing popularity of this city among tech-savvy nomads is its emphasis on digital innovation.
7. Barcelona, Spain
Why First-Time Digital Nomads Will Love This Place:
The city of Barcelona is a perfect blend of city, beach, culture, and all the modern amenities & services that come with a large city. It is perfect for first-time nomads who want both work and play, making it one of the pin-up destinations for digital nomads in Europe.
Affordability:
Barcelona offers value for money in relation to other larger Western European cities. Housing prices can be quite high, but it's still possible to live affordably, mainly through shared apartments or in the suburbs. Eating out is also relatively cheap, with affordable restaurants and cafes aplenty.
Digital Nomad Community:
Digital nomads love living in Barcelona. There are regular meetups, co-working events and networking opportunities in the city that contribute to meeting other remote workers and to networking.
Co-working Spaces:
Betahaus and Cloudworks are just two of the many co-working spaces that cater to the remote workers flocking to Barcelona. They offer a collaborative space, quick internet, and great amenities to get work done.
Lifestyle and Activities:
Spending time in the city of Barcelona, you can spend some time unwinding and recharging thanks to the gorgeous beaches, vibrant food scene and cultural offerings. If you fancy visiting Gaudí architecture, eating tapas, or relaxing on the beach, Barcelona will help you to work and play at the same time.
Conclusion
Starting your journey as a digital nomad is exciting and life-changing; and so much depends on choosing the right city. Be it the low cost tropical bliss scene of Bali, the colorful culture scene of Mexico City, or the historical profile of Tallinn, any of these places make an awesome first city for a new digital nomad.
The following is a guide on choosing the best city for you, including considerations like cost of living, internet access, co-working spaces, lifestyle, and the digital nomad scene. A city will be just right for you if it allows for professional growth while offering personal discovery and exploration in abundance.