According to a recent survey conducted by CommercialSearch, a respected website specializing in working and co-working spaces, Bangkok has won the prestigious title of the best city for digital nomads worldwide. The vibrant city took first place on this year’s list of best cities for digital nomads, leaving all competitors behind.
For the study, CommercialSearch examined cities with more than 400,000 residents around the world. Only one city was selected from each of the 57 cities that make up this comprehensive list, ensuring a diverse selection of large, well-connected urban centers that offer excellent opportunities for people who embrace the lifestyle of a digital nomad. A number of important factors were considered when compiling the rankings, including affordability, internet speed, coworking fees, fun factor, and safety.
Bangkok’s unique selling point is its comprehensive affordability, which it combines with outstanding results in the other CommercialSearch parameters.
Bangkok is the fifth cheapest city on the list, as an average hotel room in the off-season costs $51 (1,750 baht). In addition, the average cost of meals and coworking memberships in the Thai capital rank fourth and sixth, respectively. The city’s remarkable internet speed of 225 MB /s, which ranks it sixth among all the locations surveyed, is also not a cause for concern.
Bangkok is enticing because it offers an ideal balance of cost, entertainment and accessibility. Digital nomads are allowed to live in the city with a travel visa that is renewed every three months. In areas like Salom and downtown Bangkok, you will find business people to socialize with as well as hip coworking spaces for people looking for a change of scenery.
The city’s exciting nightlife, delicious but affordable food, and trendy cafes in areas like Thonglor make it even more attractive. Digital nomads can also find a quiet retreat away from the charming hustle and bustle and noise of this city of nine million people, as the rest of Southeast Asia is so easily accessible.
Shanghai, China, is second on the list. It is more expensive than Bangkok, but Shanghai offers faster broadband Internet. However, the Great Firewall can cause problems for digital nomads accustomed to using certain tools and online services. However, given its position as one of the most important centers for trade, finance, and research in China, Shanghai offers a wealth of networking opportunities, provided that Internet restrictions do not interfere with regular business operations.
The Romanian city of Bucharest ranks third. In terms of best metrics, Bucharest is comparable to Bangkok, and in terms of hotel and coworking prices, it is halfway between Bangkok and Shanghai. Moreover, this Eastern European treasure offers a safer environment compared to its predecessors.
Romania prides itself on having some of the fastest Internet speeds in the world, especially in broadband, along with incredibly low membership costs. In addition, Romania recently introduced a special visa for digital nomads for stays of up to one year, allowing citizens of multiple nations to live and work visa-free for up to 90 days.
Bangkok has definitely established itself as the top destination for digital nomads, offering an unbeatable mix of accessibility, excitement and affordability. Cities around the world must continue to innovate and adapt as the need for remote work increases to attract and support the growing digital nomad community.