5 European Destinations Ideal For Digital Nomads
Just 10-15 years ago, the vast majority of people worked the 9-5-office job. And to be fair, many of us still live that office life. But there’s also a new breed of works emerging – the Digital Nomads. Self-employed workers that have the freedom to work from wherever they fancy – from home, a café, communal office or even on holiday – as long as they have a laptop and Internet connection, then anywhere is possible.
For globetrotting millennials working online, the possibility of where to live is practically endless. So why not spread your digital wings and think about moving to one of these 5 European countries? Not only will you be living in a new and interesting place to explore, but you might be shocked at just how affordable the cost of living is in Europe:
Lisbon, Portugal
Portugal has become popular in the last decade as a beach resort for families, but don’t let its tourist appeal put you off the likes of Lisbon. The Portuguese capital is a vibrant city filled with cobbled streets and ancient ruins. Perfect for foodies and culture junkies, Lisbon is incredibly cheap when it comes to eating and drinking out. A pint of beer will put you back just $2.00 and coffee around $1.35, making cafes an excellent choice for your working day. Rent-wise, expect to pay $1,500 a month.
However, if you want to escape the busy city life, instead opt for the Western Algarve, which has become particularly popular with digital nomads. Here you can escape the hustle and bustle for a slower pace of life by the beach. Indeed, you will find that the beaches are far less crowded and still as stunning as the rest of Portugal. You can even find plenty of affordable villas right on the beach, which come with Wi-Fi. Just think, you could start your day with a surf every morning!
Berlin, Germany
The German capital is famed for its culture and cheap beer. Here the cost of living is very reasonable, with monthly rent coming in at around $1900 and a pint of beer costing as little as $3.90. Communal offices here are also reasonable due to the abundance of start-up companies in the area, expect to pay around $192 a month, with Betahaus being a good starting point in your search.
Life in Berlin is a mix of glamour and trend, mixed with Germany’s gritty history and architecture, which makes for a superbly interesting place to live. Plus, the locals are friendly, so meeting friends in the area won’t be hard – especially if you opt to work in a co-working space. Be sure to plan your stay to include Oktoberfest.
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Amsterdam is far from the cheapest place to live on this list with rent costing you around $3,500 a month, however food and coffee prices are fairly reasonable and a co-working space will cost you around $280-$300 a month if you chose to use one. Apartments here are mostly large and airy, and there’s even more unusual rentals out there including canal boats, making for a truly unique experience.
By far the greatest pulls of this city is its culture, which welcomes people from all walks of life. And there’s the fact that Amsterdam takes pollution very seriously with most people traveling by bike in the city. So, although you’re staying in a city, the clean air makes you feel like you’re living in the country.
Budapest, Hungary
Known for its intelligent and passionate locals, Hungary is fast becoming one of Europe’s most popular destinations, yet is still incredibly affordable for those that live here. Rent-wise expect to pay around $600-$900 a month for a furnished apartment in the heart of the city; with grocery prices far cheaper than America. Plus, affordability aside, this is a city built with stunning and romantic architecture that will make you want to wander the streets and experience it all. It’s also famed for its glorious local cuisine, including delicacies such as goulash and strudel.
The national drink of Hungary is coffee, making one of the many local cafes in Budapest a great base for your working day. Many have free Wi-Fi, which is fast, and you’ll get to fuel your day with fine coffee all while people-watching in this metropolitan city.
Barcelona, Spain
You may have seen in the news a few years ago, the story about the man who worked out he’d be better off financially living in Barcelona and commuting to his London job, rather than living in London. Of course, Spain isn’t the cheapest place to live in Europe, however, Barcelona is far cheaper than the capital Madrid, and that little hike in price compared to other European cities is more than worth it for the incredibe atmosphere and culture that comes with life in Barcelona.
For one, if you enjoy soccer, Barcelona is a dream. Then there’s the fact that you’d live so close to the sea – just imagine that early morning run by the salty Mediterranean Sea before you start the working day. And the delicious tapas available in the many local restaurants! Rent-wise you are looking at around $1,000 a month while groceries are around 30% cheaper than those in America.