In today’s digital-first world, remote work opportunities are skyrocketing. It’s no surprise that people around the world are ditching the monotony of their 9-to-5 desk jobs in search of more flexible and fulfilling options.
As of August 2024, there are an estimated 40+ million digital nomads worldwide.
With jobs that are 100% remote, they can slip on a pair of sandals and saunter over to a beachside café with nothing but a laptop in hand. Days later, they’re jet-setting to the next exotic location.
If you’re fed up with your dead-end job, it sounds perfect. But despite the apparent ease and tranquility of the nomadic way of life, individuals embracing this lifestyle will tell you there’s a great deal of planning involved, including selecting the right location.
After all, not every place will be naturally suitable for this line of work. So, which should you go for?
Below, we look at some of the very best cities for digital nomads, as well as examine some of the key points to consider before you book your next flight.
What are the best cities for digital nomads?
1. Medellín, Colombia
Best for... innovation and startups 🚀
Previously known for its troubled past, Medellín has transformed into a veritable hub of modern infrastructure, excellent public transportation, and environmental sustainability.
It has swiftly become a ‘go-to’ for prospective nomads because of its digital infrastructure, with average internet speeds of 50-100 Mbps widely available across the city.
Medellín is also home to Ruta N, a business center designed to improve its community’s quality of life through science, technology, and innovation. This has helped put the city on the map as the innovation hub of Latin America.
With the constant demand for tech-based skills, the area has become a nucleus for entrepreneurs, with over 500 start-ups from 33 countries formed at the co-working space at Ruta N. This has created over 20,000 jobs to support the local economy.
2. Berlin, Germany
Best for... creative professionals 🎨
Long considered one of the top remote-working destinations in Europe, Berlin boasts a freelancer visa that allows self-employed workers to reside comfortably here.
Along with the combination of cheap rent, its carefree spirit, and generous funding, Berlin is ideal for aspiring artists and those working in creative fields.
Nomads using their skills in industries such as design, marketing, and advertising will find themselves in close proximity to 20,000 professionals and over 160,000 creative economy employees.
Whop is a valuable resource for those looking to refine their creative marketing skills.
With a selection of private communities providing assistance with profitable email marketing, effective advertising, and networking, creative nomads have the opportunity to join an online community of like-minded individuals, all while honing new skills.
3. Chiang Mai, Thailand
Best for... budget-friendly living 💰
If you’re on the hunt for a budget-friendly location, Chiang Mai is a long-time favorite among digital nomads because of its low living costs.
Its laid-back lifestyle and compact cityscape have made it a hub for digital nomads, with CAMP at Maya Mall one of the most popular coworking spaces and meeting points in the area.
A monthly budget of $800-1,200 USD is more than plenty to rent here and leaves you with enough money to enjoy the shopping malls, culturally diverse restaurants, and trendy cafes scattered across the cityscape.
The internet speed in Chiang Mai is also desirable, ranging from 30-50 Mbps thanks to the city’s investments in digital infrastructure.
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4. Hong Kong, China
Best for... video production and fast internet 📹
Remote work often requires the regular transfer of data-dense files, meaning that those in the video editing sector benefit greatly from working in technically advanced cities with exceptional internet speeds.
Considered one of the top spots for nomads working in video production, Hong Kong boasts a competitive speed of 87 Mbps, making it the ideal location for digital creatives.
Furthermore, the average cost of living in Hong Kong is $1,121 USD for a single person without rent, which could be considered very expensive for most.
The future of video editing is on the rise and is expected to grow by 14% by 2031. Whop has several experts offering courses for aspiring video creatives, with Video Production + being a prime example.
This community is home to over 500 freelancers, 1000s of digital assets, practice projects, case studies, and live coaching sessions to suit every skill level.
5. Canggu, Bali, Indonesia
Best for... work-life balance and beachfront vibes 🏖️
If you’re looking for a spot that boasts the perfect balance between work and play, Canggu is the destination for you.
The city has a reputation for providing digital nomads with a great work/life balance.
The cost of living is highly affordable, averaging $1,000-1,500 USD monthly to live comfortably in the region with the opportunity to enjoy the beachfront cafes, yoga classes, and world-class surfing lessons on offer.
Canggu offers remote workers one of the most idyllic settings in the world, complete with bamboo coworking spaces overlooking the Indian Ocean.
6. Singapore, Southeast Asia
Best for... government support and ultra-fast internet 🌐
Renowned for its congeniality and community vibes, Singapore continuously boasts an exceptional reputation for digital nomads.
It harbors a rich cultural landscape, with a wide selection of coworking spaces including The Working Capitol, named the best in Singapore by the Huffington Post.
Singapore is also highly regarded for its internet speeds, reaching 297.57 Mbps, however, it’s far costlier than other locations. Be sure to understand the average cost of living in Singapore, which for a single person, could be the most expensive place on this list.
Despite this, government support makes it a desirable hub for nomads, with agencies like SPRING Singapore, Enterprise Singapore, and the Economic Development Board (EDB) providing valuable resources such as funding, mentorship, networking opportunities, and grants.
7. Tallinn, Estonia
Best for... e-Residency and online businesses 💼
Another tech-savvy location for prospective nomads, Estonia boasts a desirable mix of thriving digital infrastructure, affordable living costs, averaging $1,000-1,800 USD a month, and low crime rates.
One of the most attractive offerings for digital nomads is their e-Residency program, which allows you to create and manage a business entirely online. This, paired with their visa program (allowing digital nomads to live in the country for up to a year) makes Estonia a fertile ground for entrepreneurs.
8. San Francisco, California
Best for... tech startups and venture capital 💻
San Francisco is a top destination for digital nomads, with $430 billion in venture capital invested in start-ups between 2018 and 2024.
Home to Google, Apple, and Facebook, it’s regarded as a major technological hub, attracting investors from all over the world.
When you arrive in the city, you’ll be surrounded by a vibrant mix of creativity, culture, and other self-starters just like you who are ready to take the plunge with their business ventures.
To make the most of your time in San Fran, join Whop to discover our thriving community of groups that are packed with resources to help you break the 9-5. Start-up Preneurs is a great option, dedicated to helping you scale your business with numerous avenues and opportunities to generate income online.
The course offers a monthly membership of $50, which includes access to over 40+ recorded lectures and courses, daily group calls, high-speed monitors divulging the newest leads and product restocks, and top 1% reseller strategies.
9. Lisbon, Portugal
Best for... coworking and cultural experiences 🌍
Considered one of the top nomadic hotspots, Lisbon is renowned for its excellent coworking spaces, with over 50 scattered across the cityscape.
As well as being a great space for digital nomads, Lisbon was also ranked #1 for executive nomads in 2022, offering a high quality of life with low pollution, a diverse cultural scene, and a growing international business pool.
The local start-up community in Lisbon has a great online presence, with the Lisbon Digital Nomads Meetup group and the Lisbon Digital Nomads Slack channel being great resources for entrepreneurs.
It’s also a great area for English-speaking visitors, as the language is widely spoken across the city.
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10. Los Angeles, California
Best for... content creators and influencers 📸
Los Angeles is regarded as the entertainment hub of the United States, and more specifically, the content creator capital of the world.
Becoming a successful influencer is an ambition for many digital nomads, providing the creative freedom to earn big money without being tethered to a specific location.
Los Angeles has drawn the global attention of artists and innovators as a result of its free-flowing creative energy, providing great networking opportunities.
Influencer Insider on Whop is a great resource for those looking for influencer mentoring. It teaches you how to create viral content and scale your income as a full-time UGC creator, all the while offering access to expert coaching, proven systems, and brand deal opportunities.
11. Santa Teresa, Costa Rica
Best for... laid-back beach town living 🌴
Santa Teresa is emerging as a top up-and-coming nomadic destination for 2025. With its beach town location on the Pacific side of Costa Rica, this city is a gem filled with vibrant jungles, mountainous landscapes, and palm-tree-framed views.
A tiny city with a population of just 3,099–it’s ideal for those who are searching for a simpler, alternative, and laid-back atmosphere.
Though it’s still considered a relatively new destination for remote workers, it has a thriving entrepreneurial scene, with many co-working locations positioned right next to the beach.
12. San Juan, Puerto Rico
Best for... tax incentives and easy U.S. access 💵
San Juan is perfect for U.S. citizens wanting to work in an exotic location without undergoing the hassle of obtaining a work visa as Puerto Rico is a U.S. territory.
It offers huge tax incentives that have helped the start-up community in the region to thrive, with the Act 60: Export Services Act offering a 100% tax exemption on income derived from export services such as consulting, software development, and marketing.
This has made it easy for businesses to establish operations in Puerto Rico.
As well as this, domestic health insurance plans cover healthcare operations in the region, which means you won’t need additional travel medical insurance.
13. Tbilisi, Georgia
Best for... affordability and long visa stays 🏡
Tbilisi in Georgia seamlessly blends the contemporary and the traditional. The location sits at the crossroads between East and West, making it a veritable multicultural haven.
It has a liberal policy that allows nomads to reside in the city for a year without a visa. It’s also extremely affordable, with the ability to live comfortably on only $500-600 USD per month while enjoying the cobblestoned sights.
The city itself is very closely packed and walkable, with venerated, efficient, and cheap public transportation services.
14. Austin, Texas
Best for... shared workspaces and high-speed internet ⚡
Austin is regarded as one of the best locations for prospective start-ups because of its excellent shared workspaces.
It boasts several communities dedicated to digital nomads including the highly regarded Fibercove. This hub houses members from all over the world working in fields varying from architecture and business to marketing and web design.
Austin also boasts exceptional connectivity, with download speeds of 195 Mbps and upload speeds reaching 88 Mbps.
15. Budapest, Hungary
Best for... expat community and connectivity 🚇
Budapest is great for digital nomads looking for a thriving expat community. As a relatively young city, Budapest offers numerous opportunities to meet with fellow professionals during your stay.
Budapest Entrepreneurs Facebook group is just one community reserved exclusively for English language speakers and welcomes anyone interested in launching or managing their own business ventures.
Budapest is also home to a complex network of trams and metro lines that can take you anywhere in the city, making it easy to stay connected.
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Things to consider before choosing your digital nomad location
There’s no one-size-fits-all when selecting your nomadic paradise, but there are some essentials to consider before taking the plunge.
Internet connection
It’s undeniable that internet connectivity is one of the most vital components of remote working, no matter where you are in the world.
By conducting a preliminary Google search, you can assess the quality and reliability of internet connections in prospective locations. Those with a substantial volume of co-working spaces will ordinarily house dependable wi-fi.
Furthermore, once you’ve listed some potential accommodation spaces, you can sift through the reviews on TripAdvisor to find comments specifically related to internet speed.
Cost of living
After you’ve chosen a location that aligns with your time zone, worked out the potential tax implications, and researched the visa regulations, the most important task you’ll undertake is predicting your income.
According to Digital Nomad World, the range of a digital nomad’s income is huge, varying from $10,000 to +$170,000 annually, according to job domain, skill level, and experience.
Most digital nomads have multiple revenue streams, diversifying their income through side hustles and selling digital products to navigate the inevitable ebbs and flows of being a self-starter.
Coupled with the right systems, processes, and self-discipline surrounding workload, these strategies are integral in securing a regular income stream.
Community and networking
Life on the road can be lonely and full of unique hurdles, so it’s important to envelop yourself in a community full of like-minded people who can mentor you through some of the more challenging aspects of the nomadic lifestyle.
Platforms like Reddit, Facebook, and forums dedicated exclusively to nomads offer spaces where travelers can connect, provide tips and advice, share experiences, and arrange meetups.
Each of the cities on our list features a wide selection of co-working spaces which typically hold events and workshops you can attend to make connections.
Find your global community on Whop
Becoming a digital nomad can be a hugely rewarding experience – but if you’re just starting out, it can feel like a daunting step into the unknown. Surrounding yourself with a community of people who’ve been there and done that is essential.
And thanks to Whop, it’s easy to find one. Whop is home to thousands of digital nomads, travel experts, and thriving solopreneurs just like you, ready to provide you with the invaluable tips, tricks, and support you need to guide you on your adventures.
But Whop doesn't just help you find and join communities—it helps you create your own success. With Whop, you can start your online business from anywhere in the world. Low fees, intuitive support for all kinds of digital products, and responsive support make it the ideal platform for making money while living your dream lifestyle.
There are thousands of users making big bucks on Whop from selling ebooks to online courses, managing paid communities, and much more! Why not you?
