10 Cool International Locations for Remote Workers to Consider
If you've negotiated for permanent remote work, are you looking for cheap living, fast internet, a tropical location, and perhaps some adventure? Here are some of the top international locations US expatriates are moving to work remotely.
Allard Schager via Alamy Stock
A few months back, we put together a list of 10 Places Remote Workers Are Moving, which featured locations in the United States that have become popular with digital nomads. Soon after we posted that slideshow, InformationWeek readers started asking, "What about the rest of the world?"
Now we’re answering that question with a new list of some of the most popular cities for remote work outside the US.
According to an analysis of US Postal Service change of address forms, more than 15.9 million people moved during the coronavirus pandemic. While a significant number of those who moved expected the change to be only temporary, a large number are now considering a permanent change of address.
A majority of workers discovered that they preferred working remotely to going into the office each day. A recent McKinsey survey found that when offered the opportunity to work remotely at least part of the time, 87% of workers accepted that offer.
And while some employers are starting to request that workers come back in at least part of the time, many, particularly large global firms that already had teams distributed all over the world, have decided to embrace remote work. In fact, that same McKinsey survey revealed that 58% of all employees work from home at least part of the time, and 35% work remotely all the time.
This change has given many IT professionals the opportunity to consider moving abroad.
Depending on the location you choose, life as an expatriate offers a number of benefits. Many parts of the world have a lower cost of living, which means your money goes a lot farther, especially if you are still earning a typical US salary. Other locations might offer a different climate, enjoyable recreation activities, or possibly a little bit of adventure.
If you're one of the many people who are at least thinking about relocating internationally, where should you move? This slideshow highlights 10 locations that have proven particularly popular with remote workers.
Population: 1,080,349
Average Cost of Living for One Person: $500–$800 per month
First up on our list is the city of Tbilisi, Georgia. For those who aren't familiar with the country of Georgia, it was formerly a part of the Soviet Union and sits just north of Turkey, Armenia, and Azerbaijan on the eastern side of the Black Sea. Tbilisi has become an increasing popular home for remote workers in the past few years due mostly to its remarkably low cost of living. Taxes are low, and you can easily rent a studio apartment for under $200 a month. Furthermore, Georgia offers a special visa for remote workers and allows anyone to live in the country for a year without a visa. These factors combined with the welcoming locals, excellent local cuisine, and stunning architecture have helped make Tbilisi a growing hotspot for digital nomads and remote workers.
Population: 46,721
Average Cost of Living for One Person: $600–S900 per month
Moving to a much more tropical climate, the next city on our list is Tulum, a small Mexican town on the shore of the Caribbean. Surrounded by beautiful nature, tropical beaches, and ancient Mayan ruins, it’s no mystery why Tulum has become so loved by remote workers. People in Tulum can enjoy the spectacular scenery, authentic Mexican food, and waterfront activities. Remote workers also appreciate the town's affordability and quiet relaxed atmosphere. Unlike other remote worker hubs in Mexico, crowds are not a problem in this sleepy port on the eastern side of the Yucatan. Slow internet and connection problems were once a major problem in Tulum, but the town is becoming more remote-work friendly all the time as workers continue to flock there.
Population: 631,486
Average Cost of Living for One Person: $2,400–$3,100 per month
Vancouver, Canada, is consistently ranked as one of the best cities in the world when it comes to quality of life. This, combined with the city's booming tech scene, has motivated remote workers from all over the world to make it their new home. Vancouver is one of the most ethnically and culturally diverse cities in the world, and its people are known for being friendly and accepting. The city is remarkably safe, clean, and aesthetically appealing with its towering glass skyscrapers. Plus, it's surrounded by the beautiful North Shore Mountains on one side and the English Bay on the other. Unfortunately, the cost of living is fairly high, but for those who can afford it, it's tough to find a better city for remote workers than Vancouver.
Population: 12,774
Average Cost of Living for One Person: $450–$750 per month
For remote workers who love the outdoors and want to avoid the challenges of living in a big city, Bansko is the place to be. The small Bulgarian city is situated at the foot of the Pyrin Mountains and is home to a thriving digital nomad community. Bansko is an outdoor paradise with hiking, cycling, houseback riding, mountain climbing, thermal baths, and amazing skiing in the winter. Despite being relatively small and secluded, the town features reliable internet, several coworking groups, and great restaurants. Moreover, the city is safe, English is widely spoken, and Bulgaria has one of the lowest costs of living in all of Europe.
Population: 382,296
Average Cost of Living for One Person: $850–$1,150 per month
Las Palmas de Gran Canaria is the largest city in the Canary Islands, which are located off the northwestern coast of Africa, near Western Sahara and Morocco. The Canary Islands are already home to around 8,000 remote workers from outside of Spain, and the government has implemented a generous visa program to increase this number to 30,000 within the next decade. With a latitude similar to southern Florida, the Canary Islands feature near-perfect weather all year round. And with nearly 1,000 miles of coastline, you can find surfing, sailing, scuba diving, and beautiful sandy beaches for relaxing. Las Palmas in particular is popular among remote workers as it offers a thriving nightlife and cafes with fast Wi-Fi.
Population: 2,382,399
Average Cost of Living for One Person: $600–$1,000 per month
Medellin, the capital city of Colombia, is probably South America’s most popular city for remote workers. Known as ‘The City of the Eternal Spring,’ Medellin offers affordable living, lovely weather, and a rich culture. During the day, the city is easy to get around, and remote workers will find an abundance of co-working spaces, coffee shops, and cafes to get their work done. After the sun sets, Medellin is famous for its nightlife with bars and nightclubs all throughout the city. Safety was once a major concern in the city, but it has greatly improved in the last few decades due to its efforts to become more tourist friendly.
Population: 306,462
Average Cost of Living for One Person: $650–1,000 per month
One of the less well-known places that remote workers are moving is Timisoara, Romania. Timisoara possesses both the traditional charm of Eastern Europe and the conveniences of modern urban life. It is very walkable and full of elaborate flower gardens, cobblestone streets, statues and monuments, and beautiful Baroque-style architecture throughout all parts of the city. The city is also cheap, safe, and has remarkably fast internet, all important features for remote workers. Being the third largest city in Romania, Timisoara also has a great nightlife and other fun activities to do on your time off.
Population: 132,556
Average Cost of Living for One Person: $700—$1,100 per month
Large cities in Southeast Asia are generally very popular among remote workers because they tend to have both warm, sunny climates and incredibly inexpensive living costs. Chiang Mai, Thailand, boasts both of these and much more. It is warm in Chiang Mai all year round, and even during the rainy season it is often fairly sunny. You can rent an apartment starting around $230 per month. The city also has great coffee shops and some of the best food in the country. On their downtime, workers can also visit the cities many ancient temples and monasteries and take part in the many local festivals.
Population: 544,851
Average Cost of Living for One Person: $1,300—$1,800 per month
The gorgeous city of Lisbon is Europe’s hub for remote workers. One of the features that makes it most attractive to remote workers is that it is both a charming port city with a rich cultural history and modern tech hub. Many tech companies, including Google, have set up bases in Lisbon, and the city hosts many large technology events, including the enormous Web Summit, which regularly attracts more than 70,000 attendees. While the cost of living in Lisbon is higher than most of the other cities on this list, it is low relative to other Western European cities. Lisbon also features fast internet, great weather, and sandy beaches where you can relax or go surfing.
Population: 710,136
Average Cost of Living for One Person: $600—$950 per month
The No. 1 city on our list, Bali, Indonesia, has long been known for being home to one of the largest communities of remote workers in the world, and it’s easy to see why. Bali has all the features that remote workers look for, including a tropical climate, cheap living costs, fast internet, places to work, and tons of activities to do and places to relax when you aren’t working. Bali is currently planning on offering a new visa where remote workers can live in Bali for five years without paying taxes, which will allow even more remote workers to stay long term. In addition to providing opportunities for surfing or relaxing on the volcanic beaches, Bali is one of the best places in the world to go scuba diving with its vibrant coral reefs.
Population: 710,136
Average Cost of Living for One Person: $600—$950 per month
The No. 1 city on our list, Bali, Indonesia, has long been known for being home to one of the largest communities of remote workers in the world, and it’s easy to see why. Bali has all the features that remote workers look for, including a tropical climate, cheap living costs, fast internet, places to work, and tons of activities to do and places to relax when you aren’t working. Bali is currently planning on offering a new visa where remote workers can live in Bali for five years without paying taxes, which will allow even more remote workers to stay long term. In addition to providing opportunities for surfing or relaxing on the volcanic beaches, Bali is one of the best places in the world to go scuba diving with its vibrant coral reefs.
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