If you’ve ever considered life as a digital nomad, you’ll know all about the things you have to get fixed up before you go. You will have things like visas to sort out, as well as figuring out what the legal and tax ramifications are when it comes to working in another country without being a permanent resident. And don’t worry if we’ve just spooked you by saying “You’ll know all about this” when you actually don’t. There are great resources like Digital Nomad World who help you plan everything from A to Z, so you can get things sorted in advance of any big decision.
The practicalities of digital nomad life are one thing, and they have to be squared away, but they’re also not what you want to be thinking about when it comes to living as a digital nomad. Let’s be honest, you want to be thinking about where you can go and what you can see when you adopt this lifestyle. The answer is “pretty much anywhere” as long as you have a job you can do remotely. It’s harder for employers to stand in the way of that now that the pandemic has shown us it’s practically possible and doesn’t impact productivity. The locations below are some of the best, though, and not just from a sightseeing standpoint.
Prague, Czechia
Once the capital of Czechoslovakia, now performing the same role for the Czech Republic, Prague is a historic and beautiful city that feels immediately welcoming for travelers, and offers plenty of the things a traveler wants and needs – great views and restaurants, excellent nightlife and affordable accommodation. In fact, everything is affordable here if you’re from an Anglophone country – the cost of living is pretty much unbeatable. A standard filling lunch is available for the equivalent of $5, and you can eat exceptionally well for $50 a day. That would barely get you breakfast in Dubai.
Mexico City, Mexico
The capital of Mexico has become a haven for digital nomads because of a concerted effort to attract them. Mexico City is full of co-working spaces and there’s always a good restaurant within walking distance on your lunch hour. There’s an adjustment to be made given that Spanish is the national language, but you won’t find it hard to source a tutor if you don’t already speak Spanish. It’s one of the easier languages to learn if English is your first one, and you really don’t need to be hugely fluent to live comfortably in Mexico.
Hanoi, Vietnam
For the uninitiated, Vietnam may not seem like the first place you would think of when it comes to starting a new life in a new country, but it has embraced digital nomads in a way that few other countries have even begun to. International workers are hugely welcomed here for the contribution they make to the economy, and Vietnamese cities are among the most modern in Asia. Again, the cost of living is exceptionally manageable particularly on a standard US or UK salary, and although Vietnamese isn’t an easy language to learn, local residents are extremely helpful.