(Newswire.net — January 28, 2022) — As technology advances more and more people have the liberty to choose their place of work. Hence why work from home if you can push your limit and work from another country?
Being a digital nomad is a constant source of adventures, challenges, and discoveries. Having a flexible lifestyle of remote work and travel is the ultimate freedom if you have ever dreamed of working from a beach in Thailand.
There is a long list of jobs that you can do remotely, such as software development, language teaching, or writing. Just be aware of data entry job scams.
As with every lifestyle, being a digital nomad has its pros and cons. Living in a big city means good accessibility but noise and busyness. Staying in the countryside you will be surrounded by nature, but you risk isolation.
Evaluate which physical and intangible features are important to you in your surroundings. The advantage of being a digital nomad is that you can choose your place to live based on your needs.
Depending on the lifestyle you are after and what matters to you in a destination, as a digital nomad you can hop between places to explore which one suits you the best.
Athens, Greece
Athens is quickly becoming a digital nomad-friendly city with its quirky coffee shops and growing numbers of coworking spaces. Yet its popularity is also on the rise thanks to the warm summers and mild winters and closeness to numerous beaches.
The city has speedy Internet connections, but always check or try to find out the quality of the Internet in potential accommodations.
The city is buzzing with life and there are more and more ex-pats and digital nomads living in Athens. Local people are also friendly and welcoming, so you will have no problem finding someone for after-work drinks.
There are many Facebook groups and Meet up events where you can find opportunities for socializing.
The low cost of living is another benefit to pitching up in Athens. Locals live on approximately €850 a month, but as a foreigner, it is safer if you budget for €1500 per month.
If you are on a tight budget, you can find studio apartments for around €350 per month. Larger, one-bedroom flats cost between €550-800 depending on the neighborhood.
For-longer term leases such as 6 months or more, you can browse Spitogatos or we.gr for accommodation. But if you want to spend just a couple of months, it is better to look on Airing and Facebook groups where short-term leases are more common.
Non-EU citizens can gain entry to Greece for up to 90 days in 180 days on a Schengen visa. For longer stays, you can apply for a financially independent person’s visa for which you need to prove you are earning more than €2000 a month from outside Greece.
Another option is applying for a type D entry visa. You need to start the process from your home country, and it is best to have a Greek layer’s assistance with it.
EU citizens will have an easier time registering for longer stays. All you have to do is register at your local police station within 3 months of arrival.
Medellin, Colombia
If you are after a change and fancy going to South America, Medellin is your destination. The city is at the forefront of the national reinvention of Colombia, shaking off the nacre reputation.
The mild climate is only interrupted by two rainy seasons in April to May and September to November. Medellin is also called ‘The City of Eternal Spring’.
Like most decent digital nomad locations, Medellin has good weather, solid Internet, and a low cost of living. The advantage that differentiates this city is that it is sharing a time zone with the US.
Big revenues in the region are from growing coffee beans that established a burgeoning coffee shop culture.
There is also a good support network thanks to the growing number of ex-pats and digital nomads in the area. But to get the most out of living in the city, speaking good Spanish is an advantage.
Living in Medellin. You will find most expats and digital nomads in the El Poblado neighborhood looking for a buzzing atmosphere. If you are after something quieter, check out the Laurels area which is green and has a more relaxed residential vibe.
Despite its dark reputation, a city is a safe place as long as you are precautious. Still, avoid walking around at night and avoid wearing the flashy jewelry a watch on the streets. Also, guys should be aware of the beautiful women approaching in bars. Gorgeous Paisa women might have ulterior motives like robbery.
Staying in Medellin as a citizen of the US or EEA, you can stay in Colombia for up to 90 days without a visa. Then, when you fall in love with the country, the city, the culture, and nature, you can apply for an additional 90-day extension.
This means you can stay in the country for up to 180 days without a visa, but you cannot ask for a further second extension. Although you can apply online for an extension of your stay, it is recommended to instead visit the immigration office. You will need to wait a couple of hours, but it is guaranteed that you will walk away with the stamp in your passport.
Photo Credit: Tim Hopf
Budapest, Hungary
This city is the ultimate work hard, play hard digital nomad destination. The popularity of Budapest among digital nomads is due to stunning architecture, rich culture, and low cost of living. You will experience the authentic Eastern European way of life.
You get to explore two cities in one, Buda and Pest. The river Danube is cutting the city into two halves dotting the river with pretty bridges.
You can still spot the Turkish and Austrian influences on the city’s features. Turkish baths are scattered around Budapest and the coffee house culture stayed from the Austro Empire days.
The city is very workable and cycle-friendly, making active travel an easy way to get around. Public transport is also efficient and cheap, so you will have no reason to need a car.
Cheap accommodations are easy to come by. Hit up Facebook groups and Airbnb for flats in the most popular districts among digital nomads, which are District (Kerulen) 5, 6, or 7. If you are looking for a longer stay, your host will likely offer you a monthly discount.
There is a relatively large expat and digital nomad community in Budapest, and there are some decent co-working spaces to socialize. Some of the most popular ones are Office, Kaptar, and Mosaic. There are definitely advantages to leaving the corporate world behind.
It is also certain that you will find people to go for drinks after work. Budapest is an incredibly social city. Ruin bars are a trademark of the city and they are a popular watering hole for all nations and all ages.
For other social activities Meetup is as useful as in other nomad destinations. Budapest Digital Nomad and Digital Nomads Hungary are the two largest Facebook groups where you can access helpful information about accommodations, job listings, or events.
Budapest is situated in the Schengen Area, so as a US citizen, you can spend 90 days within 180 days as a tourist. EU citizens can stay as long as they like and for long stays, they have the option to apply for a registration card which is valid for five years.