Digital nomads have been around for a long time. Only after the pandemic, they came under the spotlight as more and more employers and employees started adapting to a remote work model. Working while travelling gained wide acceptance as more people started prioritizing a healthier work-life balance. The growth in digital nomadism also led to the emergence of digital nomad hubs around the world.
What are these digital nomad hubs? Where can one find them?
Let’s find out more about these amazing hotspots located in different parts of the world.
What is a Digital Nomad Hub?
A digital nomad hub is where digital nomads from across the world tend to gather. There are so many beautiful cities and countries across the world but not all are suitable for a digital nomad. While it is easy to get swayed to stay in a fancy place, one must remember that digital nomadism is a lifestyle and not a vacation.
As a remote worker who likes to explore new places, you’ll travel often and there are many factors that will go into searching for the hub that suits you and your bank account the best! Simply put, a digital nomad hub refers to the cities that favour a digital nomadic lifestyle and have also made some changes to accommodate travelers from around the world.
There are some digital nomad hubs across the world that are preferred by a lot of digital nomads for various reasons. Let’s discover them and you can choose the one that suits your overall lifestyle the best.
What Are The Advantages of Being in a Digital Nomad Hub?
There’s no such thing as an ideal digital nomad hub because everyone’s choice varies but there are certain aspects of a city that can make it more appealing to live and network. There are some advantages that a digital nomad hub brings to you:
- Affordable accommodation and relatively lower cost of living.
- Strong and stable Internet infrastructure.
- Perks like outdoor activities.
- Less crowded cities that are closer to nature.
- Easy access to important facilities such as hospitals, schools, markets, etc.
These are just some of the basic aspects a digital nomad usually prefers. Your final choice will depend on your personal preferences and other factors that are important for you. But always try to stay away from trouble and have a calm yet an adventurous lifestyle.
Find some more practices to keep in mind while working and traveling the world here.
Where Can I Find Digital Nomad Hubs?
Digital nomad hubs can be found on every continent. Where are you going next? Asia, Europe, or another destination? Let’s see what each one has to offer.
1. Digital Nomad Hubs In Asia
- Bali, Indonesia
Bali has been a tourist’s delight for a long time, and it hasn’t failed to impress digital nomads too.
After a long day at work, who wouldn’t want to watch the beautiful sunset at the golden beaches in Canggu? Ubud is a canvas of lush greens that offers a relaxed environment for work and leisure. Bali’s scenic beauty and exceptional hospitality will make every digital nomad want to stay longer.
It’s not just the visual treat but also the infrastructure and facilities that attract digital nomads to visit Bali. There are numerous bars and cafes along with a lot of coworking spaces that can help digital nomads separate their personal life from their professional one. For the ones who like to keep their fitness levels up, there are several gyms and yoga classes to choose from as well.
Bali is a mix of good food, culture, scenery, and facilities. For someone who enjoys natural treks and prefers a soothing environment, Bali is not to be missed. Especially now, with their 5-year visa offering for digital nomads.
- Chiang Mai, Thailand
For tourists, Bangkok offers an exciting shopping and culinary experience, while for digital nomads, Chiang Mai is the preferred destination.
Chiang Mai offers a low cost of living compared to Bangkok and other cities, making it more appealing to digital nomads. Its closeness to nature, great food options, and culture make it even more attractive. Chiang Mai is a UNESCO heritage site for all the right reasons.
Chiang Mai also has many cafes and coworking spaces for digital nomads. Additionally, the beautiful city hosts events for digital nomads and expats on a weekly basis. It is affordable, has good facilities for remote workers and is a great place for practising yoga and meditation too. Chiang Mai is one of the most sought after places by digital nomads who want to travel to Asia.
2. Digital Nomad Hubs in Latin America
- Buenos Aires, Argentina
In recent years, the drop in living costs has made Buenos Aires, the capital city of Argentina, quite a favourite among digital nomads.
The city’s European influence in cuisine and architecture makes it an interesting place to visit. Also, in comparison to many other capital cities of South America, Buenos Aires is a metropolitan city with picturesque landscapes and great cultural heritage.
Not only is Buenos Aires affordable, but it also has a strong nomad and expat community. You’ll always have events to attend where you can network with other digital nomads.
For commuting, there are various options like the metro, buses, and Uber/Cabify services. Besides also having a good internet infrastructure, the city has no shortage of cafes and coworking spaces for you to work from.
Buenos Aires also has great connectivity to nearby locations like Uruguay and Brazil. You can take ferries or flights to these destinations.
- Medellin, Colombia
Once known for drug and violence, the city of Medellin is no longer a dungeon of vices. Medellin has significantly evolved and is now among the top digital nomad hubs.
Medellin is the first Colombian city that has its own metro system. Besides that, locals and visitors can also use the cable car system to travel within the city.
As far as expenses are concerned, you can consider Colombia in the mid-tier range in South America. As far as accommodation and overall costs, you’ll find Medellin relatively cheap in comparison to other countries.
Besides affordable rents, Medellin has also seen a lot of technological advancement. With the city providing a stable and strong internet infrastructure, digital nomads find one more reason to give Medellin a thumbs up.
While safety isn’t a huge concern as it was before, it is important to note that petty crime is still common. If you choose Medellin as your next digital nomad hub, get enough information on the spots where petty crime is common so that you can avoid those areas.
Digital Nomad Hubs in Europe
- Lisbon, Portugal
The digital nomad scene in Lisbon has escalated quickly. The city has become so popular that it can easily be named among the world’s most popular digital nomad hubs. A lot of people find western Europe to be one of the most expensive continents. However, Portugal is different. It is relatively much more affordable than any other country in Western Europe.
Portugal belongs to the Schengen zone. This means that E.U. citizens will have no visa problems and can choose to live in Lisbon for as much time as they want to.
For those of you worried about the Internet, Lisbon has a robust Internet infrastructure and you’ll face no issues with WiFi connectivity. Lisbon also has a wide range of cafés and coworking spaces for digital nomads to choose and work from.
The city’s unique cultural charm, along with beautiful beaches, make it the perfect digital nomad hub in Europe. You’ll never run out of things to do.
You can also travel to other parts of Europe easily as the city offers affordable airlines and rail systems you can rely on.
- Budapest, Hungary
Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is already a flourishing tourist destination. It recorded 5 million visitors in 2019, and the numbers keep growing. Budapest is famously known for offering a taste of Western Europe at Eastern European prices. Budapest is a great mix of both Eastern and Western Europe, making it a perfect digital nomad hub to live in.
The serene Danube river is the divider between the Buda and Pest side. Each of these sides have their own unique offerings that attract digital nomads from around the world. A digital nomad can explore the heritage, many historical attractions, bars, and thermal baths.
It’s easy to get around in Budapest because of its convenient and reasonable transportation network. The uncountable cafes sprinkled across the city have strong Internet connections and that makes it a perfect workplace for digital nomads. For those who like a more professional setting, there are plenty of coworking spaces to choose from.
A Digital Nomad Hub is Where The Heart Is
Whichever place you pick next for your digital nomadic escapades, remember to get ample information about accommodation, cuisine, transportation, and culture before you take off. Most importantly, the destination must not only help your bank account but also soothe your mind, body, and soul. Choosing a digital nomadic lifestyle is about living a fulfilling life where neither work nor leisure suffers.
Bookmark this page and come back to it when you’re ready to move to your next digital nomad hub. It’s always easier to make decisions with a guide in front of you.
Until then, enjoy where you are while you look forward to your next stay!
