Remote work has been steadily growing in popularity over the years, but recent events have accelerated the trend exponentially. More and more people are discovering the benefits of ditching the traditional 9-5 office routine and working remotely, and it’s not difficult to see why. Working from home, or any location of your choice, means more flexibility, more time for loved ones, reduced stress, and saved commuting costs, among other benefits. That being said, location is still key when it comes to remote work. The following is an in-depth look at the top remote work locations you should consider.
Ubud, Bali
Ubud is a stunningly beautiful town located in Bali, Indonesia. It is surrounded by lush green forests, jaw-dropping rice paddies, and the mighty Ayung River. Ubud is a great destination for remote workers who are looking for a peaceful and serene environment to work from. The town boasts of several coworking spaces, coffee shops with fast internet, and affordable accommodation. In addition, the weather is perfect almost all year round, making it an ideal place for digital nomads.
Ubud has developed an attractive environment for young people, expats and remote workers due to its infrastructure with co-working spaces, affordable accommodation, and a vibrant nomad and entrepreneurial community. However, it is important to note that Bali, and particularly Ubud, has become very popular over the past decade and is not as cheap as it used to be, still it is one of the best value-for-money options out there for those looking to work remotely from a picturesque tropical paradise.
In addition to its natural beauty, the town also has several attractions that remote workers can visit during their free time. Some popular places to visit include the Sacred Monkey Forest Sanctuary, Goa Gajah, and Pura Tirta Empul.
Chiang Mai, Thailand
If you’re looking for a remote work location in Southeast Asia, Chiang Mai should be at the top of your list. The city is known for its laid-back lifestyle, spicy cuisine, and rich cultural heritage. Chiang Mai is also one of the cheapest places to live in the world, making it an excellent option for budget-conscious digital nomads.
The city has an abundance of co-working spaces and good internet connectivity, a plethora of temples, and great street food. It is also home to cheap markets, which present an excellent opportunity to practice your haggling skills.
Chiang Mai is also home to the Chiang Mai Digital Nomads group, which organizes events for digital nomads in the city, including monthly meetups and coworking sessions. The city is also home to several digital nomad-friendly cafes, such as C.A.M.P., Punspace, and WooCafé.
Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon is one of Europe’s most vibrant and affordable cities, making it an excellent remote work location for digital nomads. The city has a rich cultural heritage, stunning architecture, and a warm climate. Lisbon is also a cosmopolitan city with a range of coworking spaces, fast internet, and excellent transport links. It is also home to one of the largest startup communities in Europe.
Lisbon has fantastic weather, affordable accommodation, delicious food and wine, as well as great internet connectivity. Portugal is also part of the EU, hence its visa policies are relatively straight forward for most nationalities, including Britons. In addition to this, Lisbon is a great base from which to discover Portugal, as it offers connections to other parts of the country by train or bus.
The city offers remote workers a range of activities to keep them entertained, from visiting some of its stunning monuments such as Torre de Belem, to discovering the thriving nightlife, to wandering the historic Alfama district.
Vancouver, Canada
Vancouver is a picturesque city located in western Canada. The city is one of North America’s most expensive, but this is offset by its excellent quality of life, stunning natural environment, and strong digital infrastructure. Vancouver is home to several coworking spaces and coffee shops with fast internet, and the city’s public transport system is first-rate.
Vancouver is known for its stunning natural environment and made it to the top 20 of the world’s most livable cities in terms of safety, healthcare, and an overall quality of life according to The Economist Intelligence Unit. Vancouver offers its visitors stunning scenery, with plenty of opportunities for hiking, skiing or even just a leisurely walk along the seafront. The city also offers lots of entertainment options, including film festivals, concerts, and sports events.
The city has a range of neighborhoods, each with its own unique charm, and of course, great coffee shops and restaurants. Vancouver also has a thriving startup community, which organizes regular meetups and networking events.
Medellin, Colombia
Medellin is one of Colombia’s most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities. The city is known for its friendly locals, excellent climate, and stable economy. It is also a hub for entrepreneurship, with several coworking spaces and startup incubators. Internet connectivity is also relatively fast and reliable, making it an excellent remote work location for digital nomads.
Medellin is also located in the so-called “coffee belt” of Colombia, which means that remote workers can enjoy some of the world’s best coffee while working. The city also offers a range of activities, such as museums, galleries, and street fairs.
In addition to this, Medellin is known for having a great transportation system, including a metro and cable cars. The latter allows for stunning views of the city and easy access to its surrounding areas.
Austin, Texas
Austin is one of America’s fastest-growing cities, thanks to its booming tech scene and excellent quality of life. The city is a hub for creatives, entrepreneurs, and remote workers, and it boasts of several coworking spaces, coffee shops, and affordable accommodation options. Furthermore, Austin has a thriving social scene, with music, food, and art festivals taking place throughout the year.
Austin has a fantastic music scene, as well as a great climate, with mild winters, warm summers, and plenty of sunshine. It is also a relatively affordable city to live in, compared to other major US cities, such as New York or San Francisco.
Austin is known for its food scene, from delicious BBQ to world-famous breakfast tacos, as well as its thriving nightlife, which offers remote workers a range of entertainment options. The city is also located near several natural attractions, such as Hamilton Pool and Barton Springs.
Canggu, Bali
Canggu is another Bali town that is fast becoming a popular destination for remote workers. The town is located on the southwestern coast of Bali and is known for its laid-back lifestyle, excellent surf breaks, and breathtaking natural environment.
Canggu is emerging as a new hotspot for digital nomads in Bali due to its vibrant community, affordable living costs, and abundant co-working spaces. It offers a range of surf schools, yoga studios, and healthy food options, which are a massive draw for many.
The town offers plenty of coworking spaces that are equipped with all basic amenities like high-speed internet, coffee, and comfortable workstations. Some of the best coworking spaces in Canggu include Dojo Bali, Canggu Nest, and Tropical Nomad.
Canggu offers many options for downtime activities, such as going for a surf at Echo Beach, visiting the Tanah Lot temple, or dining at one of the many organic food cafes scattered around the town.
Valencia, Spain
Valencia is one of Spain’s most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities. The city is known for its excellent climate, stunning architecture, and world-class cuisine. Valencia is also home to several coworking spaces, fast internet, and affordable accommodation options. Furthermore, the city has a thriving startup scene, making it an excellent remote work location for digital nomads.
Valencia offers remote workers an excellent quality of life, with its proximity to the Mediterranean sea and a stunning old town filled with history, culture, and architecture. The city is also home to one of the largest science and technology parks in Europe, which offers a range of opportunities for remote working.
Valencia’s co-working spaces are some of the best in Spain, with plenty of options for freelancers and entrepreneurs alike. The city’s coworking spaces are known for their vibrant community, great amenities, and reliable internet connectivity. Some of the best coworking spaces in Valencia include Coworking Valencia, ValenciaCoWork, and L’atelier by Nomad City.
Conclusion
Remote working is no longer a fancy concept, but it’s fast becoming a way of life. Thankfully, the opportunities for digital nomads and remote workers to travel and work from different locations across the globe are now more accessible than ever.
The remote work locations mentioned above are just a few of the many destinations around the world that offer a fantastic balance of work-life and adventure. Working from these locations allows for cultural immersion, experiencing different ways of life, and building a global community of fellow remote workers.
As more companies embrace remote work and the digital nomad lifestyle, there will be endless opportunities available for people to work from anywhere in the world. With the right balance of work opportunities, comfortable living costs, and thrilling adventures, these remote work locations serve as the perfect destinations for digital nomads and remote workers alike.