The Best Cities for Digital Nomads

Traveling alone is something that a lot of us fear. These fears stem from smaller issues such as having to eat alone, to more serious fears regarding personal safety. However, when the fears are placed to the side, you may find that traveling alone can be one of the most fulfilling experiences of your life. That being said, your experience is only as good as your destination. This is why we have compiled a shortlist of some of the best places for digital nomads if you’re traveling solo.

This content includes:

• Best Cities for Digital Nomads
• Things to Consider When Picking a City

Best Cities for Digital Nomads

Here is the list of some of digital nomad cities:

1. Reykjavik Iceland 

2. Barcelona Spain

3. Seattle USA

4. Munich Germany

5. Austin USA 

6. Taipei Taiwan

7. Stockholm Sweden

8. Okinawa Japan

9. London England 

Reykjavik, Iceland

• Cost of Living: $1,099 per month
• Speed of Internet: 216.56Mbps
• Best Coworking Spaces: Regus, Vera
• Pros: Fast and steady Wifi, friendly and accepting people, aurora borealis
• Cons: Extremely cold in winters

Iceland has become one of the best countries for digital nomads recently. To mention just one of the most magical experiences in this country, the northern lights, you’ll find Iceland to be as charming as any nation you’ll ever come across. Particularly if you’re a female traveler, you’ll be able to feel safe in Iceland. Iceland has the number one spot on the Global Peace Index, as well as it also has the number one spot on the World Economic Forum Global Gender Gap. This ensures that both being safe and equality amongst the sexes are of the highest priority to Iceland as a country. 

 

Barcelona, Spain

• Cost of Living: $1,487 per month
• Speed of Internet: 98.68 Mbps
• Best Coworking Spaces:  Attico, One Cowork
• Pros: The weather is warm, and a safe city
• Cons: Locals are bad in English, higher cost of living

Barcelona is one of the digital nomad destinations that everyone knows and loves. The city is easier to travel through by walking than you’d imagine. Whether it is general shopping or traveling along the beach, you’re sure to have a fantastic time in the city. Spanish food is famous too, and the weather is one of the things that Spain is most known for. They don’t call it Sunny Spain for anything, so it is a win-win!

Seattle, USA

• Cost of Living: $1,294 per month
• Speed of Internet: 183.0 Mbps
• Best Coworking Spaces: The Pioneer Collective, thinkspace 
• Pros: Proximity to nature, great career options, no state income tax
• Cons: Seattle freeze, the constant traffic, lacks diversity

Seattle is one of the digital nomad places that is known for its coffee. This means if you’re dining alone or drinking alone, it won’t be as out of place as in other cities, perfect for if you’re traveling alone. The compact nature of the city means it is incredibly easy to move between areas, sights, or shops by walking. But, even if you’re looking to get to something that is further away, Seattle can solve that issue with its railway system.

Munich, Germany

• Cost of Living: $1,941 per month
• Speed of Internet: 250 Mbps
• Best Coworking Spaces: Impact Hub, WeWork
• Pros: Safe, great public transport, outdoor life
• Cons: Shops close on Sunday, cost of living is high

If you’re looking for more European options, then traveling to Munich in Germany is sure to be one of the most open experiences you could have. Germans, particularly those from Munich, are said to be open and welcoming to those from abroad. There is nothing more immersive into the Bavarian culture than grabbing a pint and engaging with strangers in Munich. 

Austin, USA

• Cost of Living: $952 per month (without rent)
• Speed of Internet: 214 Mbps
• Best Coworking Spaces: Heritage Office Suites, WeWork
• Pros: Locals are friendly, constant sunshine, booming job market
• Cons: Car-centric city, summer heat

Austin is one of the digital nomad cities that seems all over the place. There is so much to do in the area that it can be hard to focus your sight down to a select list. Live performances of music, as well as restaurants and barbecues, are all some of the most commonplace activities you could engage in within the area. 

Taipei, Taiwan

• Cost of Living: $1,000 per month 
• Speed of Internet: 85.02 Mbps
• Best Coworking Spaces: Home Sweet Home, FutureWard
• Pros: Public transportation, affordable, convenience stores
• Cons: Harder to access Western goods, natural disasters

Taipei is one of the most popular digital nomad destinations in the nation of Taiwan, as it is the capital. It is unique in the sense that it mixes both its traditional culture with modernity. While living on the island, you’ll find traditional markets that Asian nations are so well known for, whilst also offering the amazement of viewing some of their temples. However, there is also the modern part of Taiwan, which is filled with high-rise buildings and shopping centers. It is a mix of two worlds. All travel signs have English translations beneath them, so there is no need to worry about not being able to read the travel routes. As well as this, all public transport has waiting zones that are heavily monitored by CCTV to protect female passengers. 

 

Stockholm, Sweden 

• Cost of Living: $1,802 per month 
• Speed of Internet: 100 Mbps
• Best Coworking Spaces:Knackeriet,Helio Slottsbacken
• Pros: A green, safe city, work-life balance
• Cons: Harder to find accommodation, high taxes 

Sweden is known for its accessibility and safety in its major cities. Stockholm specifically is known for its cafes, food services, and shopping. It is a mix of both a traditional European country whilst embracing modernity and one of the most popular digital nomad places. Swedish people are also known across the world for being extremely friendly and accepting of those from different countries. It is also easy to navigate throughout the country and city as a whole, with their linking metro stations all interconnecting making travel incredibly simple and easy to go about when there. 

Okinawa, Japan

• Cost of Living: $1,215 per month 
• Speed of Internet: 300 Mbps
• Best Coworking Spaces: Seaside Office, Blink Smart
• Pros: Fast internet, democratic, not crowded
• Cons: Too expensive, sweaty, and humid

For many, going to Japan is on their bucket list. However, it can be overwhelming, especially for those coming from the West but it’s the best place to be a digital nomad. Okinawa is the perfect travel destination if you want to experience life in Japan without being too overwhelmed. It boasts an incredible monorail. This monorail goes straight from the airport (where you’ll be arriving most likely) to the city center. Okinawa has castles, beaches, and famous markets. This means there is plenty to do in one of Japan’s most accessible locations. 

London, England

• Cost of Living: $2079 per month 
• Speed of Internet: 108 Mbps
• Best Coworking Spaces: Soho Works Shoreditch, The Ministry
• Pros: Plenty to see, finding a job, healthcare is free
• Cons: Too expensive, weather can be depressing, crowded

A lot of the entries on this list might be the kind of travel destination to provide a bit of a culture shock. This is why we’ve added London to the list. London is the best city for digital nomads if you’re looking to experience the charm of European travel without any of the immediate shocks that come with traveling to one of the more exotic nations. There is so much to do in this city that you could quite literally spend months exploring. All of the things to do are swiftly and easily interconnected too through the London Underground travel system. After all, it’s one of the best places to live as a digital nomad.