I’ve been a digital nomad for the last three years and have worked in many places around the world. Some were excellent, others… not so much. I’m happy to share with you five of my favorite cities for remote working.
Having fast and reliable internet is one of the most critical things to consider when deciding where to base yourself as a digital nomad. It can be – and, in my experience, often is – the difference between a dream remote working experience and a digital-induced nightmare.
I’ve done my best to include a range of locations across the world for this list. I considered several important factors, including internet speed and reliability, cost of living, access to quality coworking spaces and cafes, food scene, things to do, transport links, and overall lifestyle and livability.
1. Chiang Mai, Thailand
It’s not difficult to see why Chiang Mai has been a favorite among digital nomads ever since digital nomads were a thing. The internet here is fast and reliable, with average speeds close to 100 Mbps. Many coworking spaces offer even faster private connections, so it’s a great place to get stuff done.
Chiang Mai has a huge digital nomad community making it easy to meet and socialize with other remote workers. The weather is hot year-round, prices are still relatively low (although quite a bit higher than when I first visited 15 years ago!), and Thai food is absolutely delicious.
As you’d expect, there are many high-quality coworking spaces in Chiang Mai, although Yellow Coworking Space is particularly good. If cafes are more your vibe, you’ll find plenty of great choices here too. When you’re not working, I highly recommend renting a scooter and exploring the surrounding mountains and temples – they’re stunning.
Average internet speed: 93 Mbps download / 88 Mbps upload
SEE ALSO: Chiang Mai, Thailand: A Digital Nomad Guide
2. Budapest, Hungary
Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is a great choice for digital nomads who want to be based in Europe but without the high prices of cities such as Paris and London. Hungary is one of the countries with the fastest internet in the world, and the city is full of culture and has a growing digital nomad community.
With lightning-fast speeds of up to 220 Mbps, it’s easy to stay connected here whether you’re working from a coworking space or a cafe. KAPTÁR is one of the most popular coworking spaces in the city, although I found that internet speeds are great pretty much everywhere.
Although there’s plenty to do in Budapest, its location in central Europe also makes it a perfect base to explore more of the continent. There are excellent road and rail links to neighboring countries (such as Austria, Romania, and Croatia). Affordable flights on the Hungarian low-cost airline Wizz Air make it easy to travel further afield, too.
Average internet speed: 220 Mbps download / 41 Mbps upload
SEE ALSO: Digital Nomad Guide to Living in Budapest, Hungary
3. Lisbon, Portugal
Another fantastic European capital city, Lisbon offers year-round sunshine, history, culture, and – crucially – reliable internet. With average speeds of 120 Mbps, you’ll have no trouble staying connected here. There are plenty of coworking spaces (Heden Santa Apolónia is super) and cafes to make your remote office too.
I’ve lived in Lisbon twice and love the city’s creative, fun-loving atmosphere. Taking breaks from work to wander the city or watch the sunset over the Tagus River never gets old. There are some great beaches located a short distance from the city that are perfect for a relaxing weekend break.
Prices are steadily rising in Lisbon – partly due to its popularity among digital nomads – but it’s still relatively affordable compared to many other European capitals. There’s a strong cafe culture here too, plus a diverse community of nomads from around the world, so you won’t struggle to make new friends.
Average internet speed: 120 Mbps download / 81 Mbps upload
SEE ALSO: Digital Nomad Guide to Living in Lisbon, Portugal
4. Medellín, Colombia
Medellín is one of the top digital nomad destinations in Latin America. The internet is very fast here with speeds averaging around 165 Mbps download. The mountains surrounding the city are beautiful (and amazing for hiking), and there are plenty of coworking spaces and cafes. The list of things to do here is almost endless.
Known as the “City of Eternal Spring”, Medellín has amazing weather year-round. I spent some time in Medellín earlier this year and based myself in the El Poblado neighborhood. My favorite cafe was Pergamino, which serves some of the best coffee in the city – no mean feat. They serve up tasty food, too.
In terms of safety, Medellín has made huge improvements in the last few years, but it still pays to be sensible. To me, El Poblado felt perfectly safe both during the day and at night. Other parts of the city felt distinctly sketchier after dark, but Uber is cheap and readily available.
Average internet speed: 165 Mbps download / 37 Mbps upload
SEE ALSO: A Digital Nomad Guide To Living in Medellin, Colombia
5. Mexico City, Mexico
Mexico City was one of the first cities I lived and worked in when I first became a digital nomad. When it comes to deciding where to stay, it’s a vast metropolis made up of many different districts and neighborhoods, each with its own distinct vibe.
There’s no shortage of coworking spaces, and neighborhoods like Roma and Condesa are full of cafes with strong WiFi and even stronger coffee. I based myself in Condesa and loved the leafy streets, tranquil parks, and friendly atmosphere. Blend Station was my go-to coffee place.
Mexico City is also a world-class foodie destination, from simple street food stalls serving up the best tacos you’ll ever eat to swanky Michelin-starred restaurants, and everything in between. There’s so much to see and do here, too – you’ll never be bored.
Average internet speed: 93 Mbps download / 41 Mbps upload
SEE ALSO: Digital Nomad Guide to Living in Mexico City
In Conclusion
Having reliable internet can make or break your experience as a digital nomad. All of these cities offer fast speeds, stable connections, great coworking spaces, and many other unique perks that make them perfect places to live and work remotely.
For me, Lisbon and Chiang Mai are both pretty hard to beat. They’re very different in many ways, but both have fantastic food, an amazing climate, and a chilled-out pace of life. I plan to spend more time in both places in the future – maybe I’ll see you there!
