TL;DR: This guide covers the best places to work remotely in 2026, from Lisbon and Bali to Austin and Toronto, along with simple options like cafes, coworking spaces, and libraries. It’s written for freelancers, remote employees, and digital nomads trying to pick a location or just a better place to open a laptop. The short answer: the right spot depends on your internet needs, budget, and work schedule, not just the prettiest photos on Instagram.
If you are planning European travel around your remote work, my guide to the best road trip routes in Europe is worth a read while you are deciding where to base yourself.
Introduction
I’ve spent years writing blog posts from coffee shops, library tables and the occasional coworking day pass, and I can tell you the “best places to work remotely” isn’t really about the city with the nicest Instagram filter.
It is about internet that holds up on a Tuesday video call, a desk that does not wreck your back, a monthly cost that does not quietly drain your savings and a visa situation that does not put you in a legal grey area after 90 days.
In this article I’ll walk through 15 cities that remote workers consistently pick, plus the simpler question a lot of people actually have: where nearby can I go today to get work done without moving to another country.
If you want to think about how to generate income that supports this lifestyle, my article on how to make money with blogging covers one practical path that works well alongside a location-independent lifestyle.
Best Places to Work Remotely at a Glance
Here is a quick comparison of top remote work destinations, covering estimated monthly costs, Wi-Fi infrastructure, coworking availability, and visa options:
| Place | Location | Best For | Avg. Internet Speed | Est. Monthly Cost | Coworking Availability |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lisbon | Portugal | Digital nomads in Europe | 150–176 Mbps | $2,200–$3,800 | Excellent |
| Chiang Mai | Thailand | Budget-conscious remote workers | 150–200 Mbps | $800–$2,000 | Strong |
| Barcelona | Spain | Lifestyle and networking | 100–600 Mbps | $2,500–$4,500 | Excellent |
| Mexico City | Mexico | North American time zones | 60–200 Mbps | $1,200–$3,200 | Excellent |
| Bali | Indonesia | Tropical remote work lifestyle | 41 Mbps avg | $1,000–$2,800 | Strong (Canggu, Ubud) |
| Austin | Texas, USA | Entrepreneurs and networking | 100+ Mbps | $2,500–$4,000 | Good |
| New York City | New York, USA | Urban professionals | 200+ Mbps | $3,500–$6,000+ | Excellent |
| Bangkok | Thailand | City living and coworking | 80–200 Mbps | $1,100–$2,200 | Excellent |
| Berlin | Germany | Creative professionals | 100–300 Mbps | $1,800–$2,800 | Excellent (150+ spaces) |
| Porto | Portugal | Quieter European base | 195 Mbps | $1,500–$2,800 | Good |
| Medellín | Colombia | Latin America remote work | 50–150 Mbps | $1,200–$2,400 | Strong |
| Taipei | Taiwan | Infrastructure and convenience | 200–1,000 Mbps | $1,300–$2,500 | Strong |
| Kuala Lumpur | Malaysia | Affordable urban living | 80+ Mbps | $1,000–$1,800 | Good |
| Toronto | Canada | North American professionals | 307 Mbps | $3,000–$5,000 | Strong |
| Vancouver | Canada | Outdoor lifestyle + remote work | 267 Mbps | $2,800–$4,500 | Good |
Top 15 Best Places to Work Remotely
1. Lisbon, Portugal: Best for Digital Nomads in Europe
Lisbon continues to rank among the best cities for remote work thanks to its warm climate, affordable European lifestyle, and strong digital nomad community.
It is one of the few European capitals where you can still find a solid apartment and a café with decent espresso without spending a fortune by Western European standards.
Internet and connectivity: Lisbon is equipped with dependable fiber internet, delivering speeds between 166 and 176 Mbps.
High-speed fiber optic internet reaches up to 1Gbps across most neighborhoods. That is more than enough for video calls, file uploads, or anything else a remote work day demands.
Cost of living: Monthly costs in Lisbon range from roughly $2,200 to $3,200, though estimates vary depending on your neighborhood and lifestyle. The city offers a cost of living 30 to 40% lower than other Western European capitals.
Coworking and workspaces: Lisbon has strong internet access in most central neighborhoods, and coworking spaces are easy to find.
Areas such as Cais do Sodré, Saldanha, Príncipe Real, and Santos offer good access to cafés, workspaces, and business services. Budget around $120 to $250/month for a coworking desk in Lisbon.
Visa: Portugal offers a dedicated digital nomad visa with a monthly income requirement of €3,680, making it accessible for mid-level remote workers. Portugal’s digital nomad visa allows up to one year of stay, and it is extendable from there.
Who should choose Lisbon? Anyone working in a European time zone, first-time nomads who want a Western environment, and remote workers who enjoy a mix of city and coastline. Day trips to Sintra and the surf coast at Ericeira are easy to fit into a working week.
Drawback: Housing prices in central Lisbon have risen sharply. You will likely need to look slightly outside the most popular neighborhoods to keep costs under control.
2. Chiang Mai, Thailand: Best for Affordable Remote Work
Chiang Mai is the city that started the digital nomad movement. It has been on every list since 2014, and it is still here because the fundamentals are unbeatable: you can live comfortably for $800 to $1,400/month, the old city is beautiful, the food is extraordinary, and the coworking community is deeply established.
Internet and connectivity: Chiang Mai provides consistent speeds around 150 Mbps and boasts a strong coworking culture. That is faster than many Western cities and more than enough for reliable video conferencing.
Cost of living: Chiang Mai remains one of the best-value destinations for remote workers. Many remote workers can live comfortably from $1,100 to $2,000 per month, though lifestyle choices and short-term housing quality can change the budget.
Coworking spaces: There are now multiple coworking spaces scattered through Chiang Mai, such as Punspace Nimman and Punspace Tha Pae Gate, with a big availability of housing. Chiang Mai offers the cheapest quality coworking at $50 to $100/month for a hot desk.
Community: The city is particularly attractive for solo remote workers, bootstrapped founders, writers, developers, and online service providers. It is less intense than Bangkok and often easier to navigate for focused work.
Visa: Thailand’s Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) currently allows a 180-day stay. Always check current immigration rules before traveling, as visa policies change regularly.
Who should choose Chiang Mai? Budget-conscious remote workers, first-time nomads, and anyone who wants a well-established community without the noise and pace of a major Asian megacity.
Drawback: Air quality from burning season (roughly February to April) can be a real problem. If you have respiratory issues or plan to be there in those months, factor that in.
3. Barcelona, Spain: Best for Lifestyle and Networking
Barcelona combines Mediterranean living with excellent infrastructure for remote professionals. Benefits include fast internet, a vibrant international community, access to beaches and culture, strong public transportation, and Spain’s digital nomad visa program. The city is particularly popular among creatives, freelancers, and startup founders.
Internet: Barcelona offers excellent speeds in the range of 100 to 600 Mbps. Most coworking spaces and apartments in central neighborhoods have no trouble hitting the higher end of that range.
Cost of living: Monthly costs in Barcelona typically fall between $2,700 and $4,500, depending on the neighborhood and accommodation type. Eixample and Gràcia are popular with remote workers and offer a mix of cafés, coworking spaces, and transport links.
Coworking: Budget around EUR 150 to 300/month for a coworking desk in Barcelona. There is no shortage of options, from large shared spaces to boutique creative studios.
Visa: Spain’s digital nomad visa is available for non-EU nationals. It requires proof of income and employment from outside Spain. Check with the Spanish consulate in your country for current requirements, as income thresholds have been updated recently.
Who should choose Barcelona? Creative professionals, startup founders, and anyone who wants to mix productive working hours with a strong social scene and a Mediterranean climate.
Drawback: Barcelona is one of the more expensive cities on this list. Rent has climbed significantly in recent years, and popular neighborhoods can feel crowded during peak tourist season.
4. Mexico City, Mexico: Best for Working With North American Teams
Estimated monthly costs in Mexico City range from $1,800 to $3,200. Prices have increased in popular neighborhoods, but the city still offers strong value compared with many large North American cities.
Time zones: Mexico City runs on Central Time (UTC-6), making it one of the best locations in the world for anyone working with US or Canadian teams. Most business hours overlap completely with both East and West Coast schedules.
Internet: Mexico City offers typical internet tiers of 200, 300, 500, and 600 Mbps, with 1 Gbps available in many neighborhoods. Real-world performance in strong setups runs around 200 to 700 Mbps download with more variance in older buildings.
Coworking: Fiber is available in most Roma and Condesa apartments, and the coworking scene has expanded considerably. Combined with incredible food, a deep cultural scene, and costs that stretch dollars further, it is a top pick for Americas-based remote workers. Expect to pay around $100 to $200/month for a coworking desk.
Visa: Mexico does not have a dedicated digital nomad visa. Tourist entry allows up to 180 days. A Temporary Resident Visa is available for longer stays, requiring roughly $4,200/month income or $71,000 in savings.
Neighborhood safety: Choose your base carefully. Neighborhoods like Roma Norte, Condesa, Polanco, and Coyoacán are popular with remote workers and generally considered safe. Ask recent arrivals for current advice, as conditions vary.
Who should choose Mexico City? Remote employees working with North American clients or teams, creatives who want a culturally rich environment, and professionals who want a major city experience at a lower price than New York or Toronto.
5. Bali, Indonesia: Best for a Tropical Remote Work Lifestyle
Bali can be affordable or surprisingly expensive depending on your lifestyle. A realistic monthly range is $1,500 to $2,800, with villas, scooters, coworking, and imported goods influencing the total.
Internet: Bali averages 41 Mbps internet speed. That is workable for most remote tasks, but it is not the fastest on this list. Coworking spaces in Canggu and Ubud typically offer faster, more reliable connections than residential Wi-Fi. Always test your connection before committing to a long-term rental.
Coworking communities: Canggu and Ubud are Bali’s two main remote work hubs. Canggu has a younger, more social vibe with beach access. Ubud is quieter and tends to attract writers, designers, and wellness-focused workers. Both have well-established coworking spaces with backup generators for power outages.
Visa: Bali does not have a permanent digital nomad visa as of 2026. The Social Cultural Visa (B211A) is commonly used by remote workers but requires an agent and a sponsor in Indonesia. Always check current Indonesian immigration rules before traveling, as these have shifted regularly.
Community: The main environmental risk in Bali is extreme weather during the monsoon season, which runs roughly from November to March. Internet reliability can drop during heavy rain.
Who should choose Bali? Remote workers who value lifestyle, community, and a tropical environment over raw connectivity or time-zone alignment. It works best as a medium-term base rather than a permanent setup.
Drawback: The cost of imported goods is high, and Bali is not well-suited to workers who need consistent sub-30ms latency for clients in Europe or the US.
6. Austin, Texas: Best for Entrepreneurs and Networking
Austin is one of the best places to work remotely if you are building a business and need to be around other people doing the same thing. The startup culture here is real, not just a marketing tagline.
Internet: Austin has solid broadband infrastructure with speeds consistently above 100 Mbps in most areas. The city has benefited from significant investment in fiber networks over the past several years.
Coworking and startup ecosystem: There are lots of reviews out there of digital nomad experiences in this big Texan city known for BBQ, liberalism, startups, and all-around fun for young people. The coworking scene includes everything from boutique creative studios to large tech campus-style spaces. WeWork, Capital Factory, and dozens of independent spaces serve different types of workers.
Cost of living: Austin is no longer the cheap city it was five years ago. Expect to spend between $2,500 and $4,000/month for a comfortable one-bedroom and a coworking membership. That is higher than many international alternatives but significantly cheaper than San Francisco or New York.
Time zones: As a US city, Austin is ideal for anyone working with US-based teams. Central Time (UTC-6) overlaps well with both coasts.
Who should choose Austin? Entrepreneurs who want access to investor networks and startup events, remote professionals who want a US base with a strong professional community, and anyone who does not want to deal with international visa requirements.
Drawback: The heat from June through August is intense, and the cost of living has risen sharply. Public transport is limited compared to European cities.
7. New York City, New York: Best for Urban Professionals
Despite its high cost of living, New York remains a top destination for ambitious remote professionals. Remote workers value endless networking opportunities, global business connections, fast internet, diverse culture, and access to world-class amenities.
Internet: New York and New Jersey offer the deepest coworking market, with 266 spaces across the area. Internet speeds in most parts of Manhattan and Brooklyn are well above 200 Mbps.
Workspaces: From the New York Public Library’s stunning reading rooms to hundreds of coworking spaces across the five boroughs, New York has more workspace options than almost any other city on this list. Day passes at most coworking spaces run $30 to $50, while monthly memberships start at around $200.
Cost: New York is expensive. A one-bedroom apartment in a central location will set you back $3,500 to $6,000+ per month. Food, transport, and coworking costs add up fast.
Who should choose New York? Remote professionals in finance, media, consulting, or creative industries who value access to industry events, client meetings, and professional networking. It is best for people with a remote income that can support urban US living costs.
8. Bangkok, Thailand: Best for City Living and Coworking
Bangkok costs roughly $1,100/month with average internet speeds around 80 Mbps. Fiber connections are standard in most apartments, coworking spaces are everywhere, and the cost of living remains remarkably low for a megacity. The BTS and MRT systems make getting around straightforward.
Coworking: Bangkok has one of the densest coworking scenes in Southeast Asia. Budget around $100 to $200/month for a coworking desk in Bangkok. Major operators like WeWork, Hubba, and numerous local spaces serve different types of workers.
Visa: Thailand’s Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa and the DTV are both options depending on your income and work situation. Bangkok is on the UTC+7 time zone, which creates a significant overlap gap with European and North American business hours.
Who should choose Bangkok? Remote workers focused on Asian markets, those who want a major city experience at Southeast Asian prices, and anyone who values food, nightlife, and a large international community.
Drawback: Heat and traffic congestion can wear you down quickly. The time-zone gap with the US and Europe is a real challenge for anyone who needs to be available during those business hours.
9. Berlin, Germany: Best for Creative Professionals
Berlin has over 150 coworking spaces, from Factory Berlin (the massive tech campus) to tiny Kreuzberg studios, driven by Europe’s largest startup ecosystem. The community is deep but Berlin-centric and more startup-focused than nomad-focused. High cost of living at EUR 1,800 to 2,800/month is the main barrier.
Internet: Berlin offers internet speeds of 100 to 300 Mbps in coworking spaces. Berlin scores 93 out of 100 for internet performance in 2026 remote work rankings, placing it among Europe’s strongest options.
Visa: EU nationals can live and work in Berlin freely. Non-EU nationals will need a freelancer visa (Freiberufler) or an employment visa. Germany does not have a dedicated digital nomad visa as of 2026, but the freelancer visa is well-established and widely used by remote workers.
Who should choose Berlin? Designers, developers, musicians, filmmakers, and startup founders who want to be in a city with a thriving creative and tech ecosystem. Also good for anyone who wants access to the rest of Europe at a reasonable cost.
Drawback: Language and bureaucracy are real barriers. German administrative processes are notoriously slow, and many official documents are only available in German.
10. Porto, Portugal: Best for a Quieter European Work Environment
Remote workers choose Porto for its lower living costs, beautiful coastal views, reliable internet, relaxed pace of life, and growing remote work community.
Internet: Porto has internet download speeds of 195.7 Mbps, upload speeds of 130.0 Mbps, and latency of just 6 ms, making it one of the best-connected cities in Europe for remote workers.
Cost of living: Porto is noticeably cheaper than Lisbon. You can expect to spend around $1,500 to $2,800/month for a comfortable setup including accommodation and a coworking membership. The same budget buys more space and lifestyle here than in most other European cities.
Coworking: Porto has a growing number of coworking spaces, particularly around the Bonfim and Foz do Douro neighborhoods. Expect to pay around $100 to $200/month for a hot desk.
Visa: The same Portugal digital nomad visa that applies to Lisbon covers Porto. The monthly income requirement is around EUR 3,280.
Who should choose Porto? Remote workers who want a European lifestyle without Lisbon prices, people who prefer a smaller, calmer city, and anyone who values great food, wine, and coastline close to their desk.
Drawback: Porto is smaller than Lisbon, which means fewer networking events and a smaller international professional community. If connections and career events matter to you, Lisbon is the stronger pick.
11. Medellín, Colombia: Best for Remote Work in Latin America
Medellín has become one of Latin America’s most popular digital nomad hubs. Its mild climate, mountain views, social energy, and affordability make it appealing for remote workers who want a practical base in the Americas.
Cost of living: Many remote workers can live comfortably from $1,300 to $2,400 per month. Costs rise quickly in the most popular foreigner-heavy areas. Neighborhoods like El Poblado and Laureles are the most popular with remote workers.
Internet: Coworking spaces in Medellín typically offer 100 to 200 Mbps, with fiber availability expanding rapidly. Home fiber runs around $20 to $45/month.
Coworking: The El Poblado and Laureles neighborhoods are packed with coworking spaces. Selina, Tinkko, and numerous independent spaces offer hot desks from $80/month. The community has expanded considerably since 2021, with weekly nomad events and a vibrant social scene.
Climate: Medellín averages 22°C every day, which is why it is nicknamed the City of Eternal Spring. Working here does not require air conditioning or heavy winter clothing.
Visa: Colombia offers a Digital Nomad Visa (Type V) for up to 2 years. The income requirement is approximately $684/month, making it one of the most accessible digital nomad visas in the world.
Who should choose Medellín? Budget-conscious remote workers in the Americas, first-time international nomads, and anyone who wants a strong social community alongside affordable city living.
Drawback: Safety varies significantly by neighborhood. Stay informed, avoid unfamiliar areas at night, and ask locals or recent arrivals for current advice.
12. Taipei, Taiwan: Best for Infrastructure and Urban Convenience
Taipei is a city that nobody puts first on their list but everyone who visits immediately falls in love with. The internet is the fastest of any city on most remote work lists, with fiber connections regularly hitting 500 Mbps to 1 Gbps.
Cost: Taipei costs roughly $1,300/month with average internet speeds of 100 Mbps or more. Taipei is safe, walkable, and has one of the best public transit systems in Asia. Night markets keep food costs low, and the city has a growing community of remote workers and indie hackers.
Coworking: Taipei has over 30 coworking spaces, fast internet at 100 to 300 Mbps, and the Gold Card visa for qualifying professionals. Total monthly cost runs $1,400 to $2,000.
Internet score: Taipei scores 95 out of 100 for internet performance in 2026 remote work rankings, the highest of any city on this list.
Visa: Taiwan’s Gold Card is a combined work permit and residence permit for qualified professionals. It typically requires proof of income or professional credentials. Standard tourist visa-free entry varies by nationality, so check current rules for your passport.
Who should choose Taipei? Developers, engineers, and tech workers who depend on fast internet, anyone working with East Asian clients, and remote workers who value a clean, safe, efficient city.
13. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: Best for Affordable Urban Living
Kuala Lumpur offers high-speed internet and widespread 5G coverage, an affordable cost of living compared to Singapore or Hong Kong, modern coworking spaces across KLCC, Bangsar, and Mont Kiara, strong English proficiency in business environments, and an excellent food culture with a multicultural lifestyle.
Internet and cost: Kuala Lumpur costs approximately $1,000/month with internet speeds of 80 Mbps or more. Internet speeds average 80 Mbps or higher, and the city is considered one of the safest in Southeast Asia.
Who should choose Kuala Lumpur? Remote workers who want a modern, English-friendly Southeast Asian city at a lower cost than Singapore. Also good for workers serving Asian markets who need reliable infrastructure.
Drawback: Kuala Lumpur is car-dependent in many areas, and the public transit network does not cover the whole city well. Heat and humidity are year-round factors.
14. Toronto, Canada: Best for North American Professionals
Toronto leads the full remote work rankings with the fastest broadband at 307.36 Mbps among North American cities in 2026, while also offering strong coworking access.
Cost: Toronto is expensive by Canadian standards. Expect $3,000 to $5,000/month for accommodation and essentials in central neighborhoods. Etobicoke and North York offer more affordable options with reasonable transit links.
Visa: Canadian citizens and permanent residents can live and work in Toronto freely. International remote workers will need to check whether their visa permits remote work for a foreign employer while in Canada.
Time zones: Toronto operates on Eastern Time (UTC-5), making it ideal for anyone working with East Coast US clients or teams.
Who should choose Toronto? North American remote professionals who want a major city with excellent infrastructure, strong networking in finance, tech, and media, and no international visa complexity.
Drawback: Housing costs are among the highest in North America. Winters are cold and long, with temperatures dropping to -15°C or lower from December through February.
15. Vancouver, Canada: Best for Remote Workers Who Value Outdoor Activities
Toronto topped the overall rankings with broadband measured at 307.36 Mbps, the fastest of any city in a major remote work study. Vancouver followed at 267.29 Mbps.
Lifestyle: Vancouver pairs fast internet and strong coworking infrastructure with access to mountains, ocean, and year-round outdoor activities. For remote workers who treat work and recreation as equally important, few cities offer this combination. Vancouver scores 82.0 out of 100 in the 2026 remote worker city rankings.
Cost: Vancouver is expensive, with accommodation costs comparable to Toronto. Budget $2,800 to $4,500/month for a central one-bedroom and working expenses. The same visa considerations that apply to Toronto apply here.
If you find yourself weighing productivity against lifestyle balance, our guide to best places to study covers some of the same core considerations: noise, connectivity, comfort, and community.
Who should choose Vancouver? Remote workers who value outdoor access, clean air, and a West Coast lifestyle, and who are comfortable with high housing costs in exchange for that quality of life.
Best Places to Work Remotely Without Leaving Home
Remote work does not require a passport. Many people just need a productive workspace outside their home, and the options closer to home are often underrated.
Coffee Shops and Cafés
Coffee shops are best for casual work sessions, short writing tasks, or creative work that does not require total silence or private calls.
Before you settle in, check whether the venue has power outlets, a working password-protected Wi-Fi network, and a policy on laptop use during busy periods.
Many cafés in popular areas now have a one-purchase minimum or time limits during peak hours. Always use a VPN on public café Wi-Fi, especially if you are handling client data.
Coworking Spaces
Coworking spaces are best for professionals who need reliable infrastructure, meeting rooms, and a professional environment.
Most offer hot desks, dedicated desks, private offices, and day passes. A day pass typically runs $20 to $50, while monthly memberships start at around $150 to $400 depending on the city and access level.
If you are looking to maximize your productivity while working remotely, a coworking space with consistent internet and a quiet zone is often the most reliable setup.
Public Libraries
Public libraries are best for quiet, low-cost, focused work. Most offer free Wi-Fi, desk seating, and power outlets.
The main limitations are noise policies that restrict phone calls, limited opening hours compared to coworking spaces, and unpredictable internet speeds.
Always check call policies before booking an important client meeting in a library.
Hotel Lobbies and Business Lounges
Hotel lobbies and airport lounges are best for occasional work sessions when you are traveling. Many hotels allow non-guests to use lobby seating and Wi-Fi, especially in premium properties.
Access policies vary widely, so call ahead or check the hotel’s website before relying on it for an important working session.
University Libraries and Campus Workspaces
University libraries are best for students, visiting academics, and researchers. Most campus workspaces require institutional affiliation.
However, some universities allow alumni or community members to access certain reading rooms. Check the specific institution’s access policy, as it varies widely.
Parks and Outdoor Workspaces
Parks are best for short, flexible sessions on suitable days. The main challenges are lack of power access, screen glare in direct sunlight, unpredictable connectivity, and wind noise on calls.
Outdoor locations are not suitable for confidential conversations or important video calls. Think of park working as a supplement to your main workspace, not a replacement.
Best Places to Work Remotely Based on Your Needs
Different priorities point to very different locations. Here is a clean breakdown to help you narrow things down.
| Priority | Places to Consider | Main Consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Lowest living costs | Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur | Verify current rent and everyday expenses before committing |
| European lifestyle | Lisbon, Porto, Barcelona | Compare housing costs and visa eligibility for your nationality |
| North American time zones | Mexico City, Austin, Toronto | Check overlap with your team’s working hours |
| Fastest internet | Taipei, Toronto, Vancouver | All above 200 Mbps in central areas |
| Coworking communities | Lisbon, Bangkok, Berlin | Compare membership costs and workspace types |
| Tropical environment | Bali, Medellín | Check connectivity, visa rules, and seasonal conditions |
| Professional networking | New York City, Austin, Berlin | Consider industry-specific communities in your field |
| Quiet, focused work | Libraries and private coworking offices | Check noise levels and call policies |
| Occasional work outside home | Cafés and coworking day passes | Compare access rules and daily costs before committing |
If your main goal is affordability, Chiang Mai, Ho Chi Minh City, Tbilisi, Medellín, and Buenos Aires are among the strongest choices for remote work in 2026.
How to Choose the Best Place to Work Remotely
1. Check Internet Speed and Reliability
The minimum you need for reliable video calls is a 25 Mbps download and 10 Mbps upload speed with stable latency below 50ms. For file-heavy work or multi-screen video, aim for 100 Mbps or more.
Use tools like Speedtest.net or Fast.com to test speeds in a specific apartment or coworking space before signing anything. Always ask whether there is a backup connection, such as 4G or 5G mobile data, in case the main internet goes down.
2. Compare the Total Cost of Working Remotely
The monthly costs I’ve listed throughout this article are estimates, not guarantees.
Your actual total depends on accommodation type, whether you rent month-to-month or take a longer lease, coworking membership level, local food prices, and transportation.
According to Global Workplace Analytics, employees save between $2,500 to $4,000 per year by working from home and save an average of 40 minutes per day from commuting. That saving can go toward a coworking membership or a move abroad if you plan it well.
3. Consider Time-Zone Differences
A 12-hour time gap is not impossible to manage, but it requires discipline and clear communication with your team. Before choosing a location, map out your required meeting times in local time.
For US time-zone overlap, Mexico City, Medellín, and Buenos Aires are top choices. For EU overlap, stick with Lisbon, Porto, or Berlin. For Asian market overlap, Bangkok, Taipei, or Kuala Lumpur are strong options.
4. Evaluate Safety, Privacy, and Comfort
Working on a café laptop with client data visible to the person next to you is a real security risk, not just a paranoid concern.
Use a VPN on public networks, position your screen carefully, and avoid coworking in open spaces when handling sensitive data.
A report from Gitnux states that 66% of organizations see an increased cybersecurity risk when utilizing a remote work model.
5. Check Visa and Employment Requirements
Always verify your legal right to work from a location before booking accommodation. Some countries allow tourist visa entry but technically do not permit remote work.
Others have dedicated digital nomad visas with clear income and tax rules. Check with the consulate of your destination country and, if possible, a local immigration lawyer.
Also confirm that your employer’s policy allows international remote work, since some employment contracts or insurance policies have geographic restrictions.
6. Test the Workspace Before Committing
Always test a location before committing long-term to ensure it fits your lifestyle.
Book a day pass at a coworking space, test the connection speed yourself, check the noise level at different times of day, and confirm whether there are private rooms for calls. Book a short-term rental before signing a longer lease.
Working Remotely From a Café vs. a Coworking Space vs. a Library
| Factor | Café | Coworking Space | Library |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical cost | Purchase expected ($5–$15) | $20–$50/day or $150–$400/month | Usually free |
| Wi-Fi | Varies; often 10–50 Mbps | Designed for work; 50–500 Mbps | Varies; usually 10–50 Mbps |
| Noise | Variable | Depends on zone | Usually quiet |
| Video calls | Depends on venue | Usually supported | Often restricted |
| Power outlets | Not guaranteed | Common in most spaces | Varies |
| Networking | Informal | Often structured with events | Limited |
| Privacy | Usually limited | Private options available | Usually limited |
| Suitable for long workdays | Only if uncrowded | Yes | If hours allow |
The best option depends on the type of work you are doing that day. For creative writing or reading, a café is fine. For client calls and structured output, a coworking space wins. For focused research, a library works well. Most experienced remote workers use all three depending on the day.
For those who also want to understand how to manage digital presence and productivity tools during remote work, my roundup of the best productivity books covers some excellent frameworks that remote workers consistently return to.
Pros and Cons of Working Remotely From Different Locations
Benefits
- Flexibility in choosing your environment: You can match your workspace to the type of work you are doing on any given day.
- Exposure to other professionals: Coworking spaces and nomad-friendly cities bring together people from very different industries, which often leads to unexpected collaborations.
- Potential for lower costs: Working from a city like Chiang Mai or Medellín on a salary earned in US dollars or euros creates a significant purchasing power advantage.
- Improved separation between work and home: Many remote workers find that having a consistent workspace outside the home improves focus and reduces the feeling that work never ends.
- Access to new communities: Living and working in a new city forces social interaction in a way that working from your home office simply does not.
Drawbacks
- Unreliable internet or power: This is the most common complaint from remote workers in tropical or developing-world destinations.
- Distractions and background noise: Cafés and public spaces are not always compatible with deep work or professional calls.
- Workspace and travel expenses: Coworking memberships, short-term rental premiums, and travel costs can eat into any savings from lower living costs.
- Time-zone challenges: A 10-hour gap with your primary clients or team is manageable but genuinely hard to sustain long-term.
- Visa, tax and employer complications: Working across borders without proper legal advice can create tax residency issues, employment law problems, or insurance gaps.
- Cybersecurity risks: Public networks in cafés, hotels, and libraries carry risks that are often underestimated.
If you are planning your remote work journey and looking at what hobbies and activities to incorporate into your new schedule, my guide on the best hobbies for retirees to stay active has ideas that apply equally well to anyone working non-traditional hours.
Final Verdict: Which Remote Work Location Should You Choose?
The honest answer is that no single location is right for everyone. Some of the best cities for remote work in 2026 include Lisbon, Chiang Mai, Medellín, Austin, Bali, Barcelona, and Mexico City, due to their affordability, internet infrastructure, coworking spaces, and quality of life.
But whether any of them is right for you depends on your budget, your time zone, your visa eligibility, and honestly, your personality.
If you are just starting out and want an easy, affordable first base abroad, Chiang Mai is as close to a safe bet as you will find. If you want a European lifestyle and a clear visa path, Lisbon or Porto are strong options.
If you need to stay plugged into North American business hours without leaving the continent, Mexico City and Austin both deliver. And if you need blazing fast internet above everything else, Taipei is in a category of its own at 500 Mbps to 1 Gbps fiber in most central neighborhoods.
For people who do not want to move at all, the combination of a coworking space membership and a good café rotation is entirely workable and often overlooked. You do not need to be in Bali to work remotely well.
What matters more than the city is getting your fundamentals right: test your internet before you commit, know your visa situation, understand your time-zone overlap, and build a workspace routine that supports focused output.
A bad setup in a beautiful city will cost you more in lost productivity than a great setup in an unglamorous one.
The goal is a location that supports the work, not one that competes with it. Test before you commit, keep your first stay short, and give yourself permission to move on if it does not work. Most experienced remote workers go through several cities before they find the one that actually fits.
Frequently Asked Questions About the Best Places to Work Remotely
What is the best company to work remotely for?
The best company for remote work depends on your field, but top-rated remote employers consistently include GitLab, Automattic, Basecamp, Buffer, and Zapier. These companies are fully distributed, meaning remote work is built into how they operate rather than added on as an option. Check job boards like Remote.co and We Work Remotely for current listings.
How can I make $2,000 a week working from home?
Reaching $2,000 per week ($104,000/year) from home is achievable through high-demand freelance skills like software development, UX design, copywriting, digital marketing strategy, or consulting. Most people who reach that level combine a strong portfolio, repeat clients, and deliberate rate-setting rather than one-off gig work. It typically takes 12 to 24 months of consistent client-building to reach that level reliably.
How to make $80,000 a year working from home?
$80,000 a year from home breaks down to roughly $6,667/month or $1,538/week. Remote roles in software engineering, product management, sales, and finance routinely pay at or above this level. Freelancers in copywriting, design, development, and SEO can reach this through a mix of retainer clients and project work. Remote salary databases like Levels.fyi and LinkedIn Salary are useful benchmarks by role.
Where are the best places to work remotely?
Some of the best places to work remotely in 2026 include Lisbon, Chiang Mai, Medellín, Austin, Bali, Barcelona, and Mexico City due to their affordability, internet infrastructure, coworking spaces, and quality of life. The right pick depends on your priorities: budget, time zone, visa rules, and lifestyle.
What is the highest paying remote work?
The highest-paying remote roles in 2026 include machine learning engineer ($150,000 to $250,000+/year), principal software engineer ($160,000 to $220,000+/year), remote physician ($200,000+/year), cybersecurity architect ($140,000 to $200,000/year), and senior product manager ($130,000 to $180,000/year). Pay varies significantly by company, experience level, and country of residence.
Where to live if I work remotely?
Southeast Asian cities like Chiang Mai, Bangkok, Da Nang, Bali, and Kuala Lumpur offer the lowest costs at $800 to $1,300/month, with the largest nomad communities and a tropical climate. They are best for budget-maximizing and first-time nomads. For those who prefer European infrastructure and lifestyle, Lisbon, Porto, or Barcelona are the strongest options.
What is the best job to do remotely?
The most consistently available and well-paying remote jobs include software development, content writing and copywriting, digital marketing, UX and product design, virtual assistance, customer success management, data analysis, and online teaching or coaching. The “best” job depends on your existing skills and how quickly you can build a remote client base or get hired.
How can I make $100,000 a year working from home?
Reaching $100,000/year from home requires either a senior remote role at a tech or finance company, a well-established freelance practice with two to four retainer clients paying $2,000 to $3,000/month each, or a productized service or digital product business. Most people who hit this level from freelancing take two to four years to get there. Focusing on a high-value niche matters more than volume of work.
Are people happier working remotely?
The evidence points strongly in one direction. Office workers are experiencing higher levels of burnout and lower levels of happiness and job satisfaction than their remote counterparts, according to the Global Work-Life Survey created in partnership by Remote, the Future Workforce Alliance, and IE Business School. The researchers found that 41% of in-office personnel are experiencing burnout, compared to 26% of remote workers. In addition, 65% of remote workers said they were “extremely satisfied” with their jobs, compared to just 34% of office-based employees. That said, simply offering remote work is not enough; companies also need to foster a culture that respects work-life boundaries.
If you are thinking about where your next remote work base might be, take the time to test it properly rather than committing based on photos or someone else’s experience. What works for a developer in Chiang Mai might be completely wrong for an account manager in a US time zone. Your best remote work location is the one that quietly gets out of the way and lets you do good work every day.
He has published on platforms including HubPages, HackerNoon, Medium, Vocal Media, TheHubWeb and MyBlogPay, gaining hands-on experience creating content for different audiences and publishing environments.
At Zion Blogger, Aboah covers blogging, SEO, AI blogging tools, content creation, WordPress, affiliate marketing and practical strategies for growing websites through organic search.
His approach combines hands-on blogging experience, keyword research, content strategy, search optimization and real-world testing of digital tools.
His goal is to provide practical, research-backed insights that help bloggers, creators and businesses create better content, increase search visibility and grow profitable websites.
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