Digital nomads are highly qualified specialists who do not have to have an office to perform their tasks. Thus, they often roam around the world. All they need is a stable internet connection and a place with a desk. Even the desk may be unnecessary, however, as some digital nomads like working on the beach with the laptops in their laps.
Normally, digital nomads choose locations where the weather is fine and the cost of living is comparatively low. They also look for places that offer plentiful entertainment opportunities.
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When digital nomads are young, they are not especially demanding when it comes to living conditions. They are satisfied with something very simple. But what happens when a digital nomad becomes successful, opens a company, and starts a family? Islands in the Caribbean and resort destinations in Asia cease to come up to their standards. They need a comfortable place to stay, they look for educational facilities for their children, and healthcare services become important too.
When the digital nomad wants to upgrade his/ her lifestyle, the choice of countries where they can live becomes smaller. They have to take care not only of their own comfort but the comfort of their family members too.
How digital nomads choose the city to live: basic criteria (Savills research data):
- Descent housing (not necessarily elite but comfortable and equipped with all the devices and facilities);
- Good transportation system (preferably, an airport nearby and well paved roads);
- Comfortable climate;
- High living standards;
- Stable high-speed Internet connection.
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Additional criteria that digital nomads use when choosing the place to live:
- Maximum level of personal security;
- High quality education for the children;
- Opportunity to apply for a digital nomad visa.
Top cities for digital nomads in 2023
The following five cities are at the top of the list for digital nomads:
- Dubai;
- Malaga;
- Miami;
- Abu Dhabi;
- Lisbon.
Cities and countries meeting five most important requirements that digital nomads have:
- Internet access: Miami, Dubai/Abu Dhabi, Palma de Mallorca, Malaga, Barcelona;
- Quality of life: Dubrovnik, Malaga, Abu Dhabi, Palma de Mallorca, Lisbon;
- Climatic conditions: Barbados, St. Lucia, Antigua, Cayman Islands, Mauritius;
- Air connection: Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Miami/Barcelona, Athens, Lisbon;
- Quality and cost of housing: Antigua, Barbados, Malaga, Dubrovnik, Athens.
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Top 20 best countries and cities for successful digital nomads:
- Abu Dhabi;
- Algarve;
- Antigua;
- Athens;
- Bahamas;
- Barbados;
- Barcelona;
- Dubrovnik;
- Cayman Islands;
- Cyprus;
- Côte d’Azur;
- Lisbon;
- Mauritius;
- Miami;
- Malaga;
- Malta;
- Palma de Mallorca;
- St. Lucia;
- Tuscany.
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Countries and cities that digital nomads choose
It is not a coincidence that two Arab emirates rank 1st and 4th on the list of top five places for digital nomads. The UAE is actively looking for ways to diversify its economy because the oil deposits are going to be exhausted one day. For this reason, the local Government offers serious incentives to successful digital nomads and professionals in knowledge-intensive and digital industries.
The attractiveness of Malaga to digital nomads is attributable to the opportunity to obtain a digital nomad visa to Spain (the opportunity has been available since 2022). The Spaniards’ experiment has proved highly successful and many other countries have soon followed suit.
Miami is one of the leading digital centers in the world. There prosperous individuals will find everything that they need for productive work as well as relaxation. Admittedly, the taxes are high in California so digital nomads have to look for some legal ways to reduce their fiscal burden.
The example of Lisbon shows that countries can adjust their immigration policies to the changing political environment. Portugal used to promote its ‘golden visa’ program that allowed non-European investors to acquire European citizenship within 5 years without spending millions of euros or years residing in the region to achieve the goal. The EU officials, however, have been highly displeased with the program because it is potentially attractive for ‘unreliable’ persons from outside Europe. This is why the Portuguese have decided to shift the focus to digital nomads. Similarly to foreign investors, they bring money to the country but they do not generate any reputational risks.
Dubai, UAE
It is a modern city, a center of digital technologies, and a quality benchmark as far as the living standards are concerned. The prices are high in the Emirate but the quality of life is superb.
Advantages of Dubai for successful digital nomads:
- A favorable taxation system;
- Extremely high living standards;
- Wonderful perspectives for technological and financial startups;
- A large choice of apartments for rent;
- Fantastic co-working opportunities (finding like-minded people and collaborators);
- A modern airport;
- Large-scale investments in digital infrastructure;
- Internet connection at an extremely high speed.
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Malaga, Spain
Malaga is an economic, cultural and tourist center of Andalusia. The business environment is vibrant in the city so digital nomads can find attractive commercial opportunities there in addition to living comfortably. The prices in the region are relatively low as Malaga is not an ‘elite’ part of Spain.
Advantages of Malaga for successful digital nomads:
- Some large international corporations (such as Google, for example) have their headquarters in Malaga;
- Numerous historical monuments can be four there;
- A magnificent old town;
- Low (in relation to other European cities) prices;
- A large choice of comfortable residential accommodations (even a demanding customer will find something to suit their taste)
- The demand for office space and co-working facilities currently exceeds the supply but the situation is gradually changing.
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Miami, USA
An ideal city for successful digital nomads who like to combine work and recreation. You will find everything you may possibly need in Miami from luxury villas to prestigious private schools. The rental and the utility prices are rather high but you can find ways to economize in Miami if you try.
Advantages of Miami for successful digital nomads:
- Magnificent beaches;
- All conditions for doing business;
- A wide range of luxury real estate;
- All opportunities for work and leisure;
- Office space for rent to suit almost any requirements.
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Abu Dhabi, UAE
Over the recent years, the emirate has become more open to foreigners. Abu Dhabi offers a wide choice of visa types that digital nomads and highly qualified specialists can apply for. Relocating to the emirate is easy indeed.
Advantages of Abu-Dhabi for successful digital nomads:
- Good conditions for doing business;
- Comfortable living conditions;
- Under certain conditions, you can acquire a 10-year ‘golden visa’ to the emirate (digital nomads can qualify);
- There are Free Economic Zones in Abu Dhabi, which make the emirate attractive for international entrepreneurs;
- A large choice of offices for rent;
- An opportunity to purchase real property in Abu Dhabi (under certain conditions);
- An advanced infrastructure;
- High-quality healthcare services.
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Lisbon, Portugal
Lisbon is one of the best places in Europe where successful digital nomads can live on the condition that growing their business is not their top priority. The city invites you to walk around it, relax, enjoy the nature around you, and look at fantastic historical monuments. Without doubt, Lisbon offers wide business opportunities as is the case with most other European capitals. But you just don’t feel like working from dawn till dusk when in Lisbon.
Advantages of Lisbon for successful digital nomads:
- Perfect living conditions;
- A favorable climate;
- Maximum comfort for people above 50;
- Relatively affordable property, both commercial and residential;
- An advanced business infrastructure;
- Prices are lower than average in Western Europe.
Are you a digital nomad? Choose your city and we will help you relocate there!
Please read more on the topic:
- Caribbean islands for digital nomads.
- Digital nomad visas in 2023.
- 41 countries granting digital nomad visas.
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29 August 2023 