Digital Nomad Overseas: Here's Where To Go And How To Do It
From Bangkok to Lisbon, change your surroundings and expand your horizons
If there's one thing the Covid-19 pandemic taught us, it's that most work no longer needs to be done in the office with everyone present at the same time. The advent of technologies such as Zoom has given us the ability to work remotely in real-time, no longer bound by time zones and geography. For those toying with the idea of getting out of Singapore in search of an alternative work arrangement where you can travel, live abroad and expand your horizons at the same time, here are five cities you can easily be a digital nomad in, from bustling, modern metropolises to zen seaside locations.
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Bangkok might be a place we consider for a short weekend getaway, but the capital of Thailand offers several reasons why you should consider digital nomading. For starters, Bangkok isn’t too far and is only one hour behind Singapore. The favourable exchange rate is next, leaving you more to spend on the dizzying array of cafes, bars, restaurants, clubs, night markets, tourist spots and more to be found in the buzzy city. Co-working spaces are also widely available alongside the city's first-world amenities and huge expat community. If you want to live in a less fast-paced but equally vibrant city, consider Chiang Mai. The city up north is surrounded by highlands, which makes it cooler during certain months. It also has a good mix of heritage and cultural monuments, plus a wide selection of lively, modern food and party spots. Beach lovers can consider Krabi or the islands of Ko Pha Ngan and Phuket down south.
Bali is another popular spot for short trips. But living in Bali for more than a week is how you can truly absorb all the calming energy of the Indonesian province. Whether you pick Canggu, Kuta, Seminyak, Ubud or anywhere else that has stolen your heart, Bali offers the laidback vibes of island living along with zen experiences such as yoga, meditation and sound healing; abundant nature with beaches, forests and waterfalls; as well as numerous cultural and religious sites to visit. Food is relatively cheap and plentiful with many restaurants serving up anything from local to international fare. Getting around is easy too, with familiar mobile applications such as Gojek and Grab.
Formerly ruled by the Soviet Union, the capital of Hungary offers all the charms of a European city without the hefty cost of living in London, Paris and other Western European cities. Budapest has much to offer sightseeing-wise thanks to the Danube River, which splits the city into 'Buda' and 'Pest' halves - each of which offers its own unique appeal. Dynamic food and nightlife scene aside, Budapest is also known for having many hot springs to unwind at. Budapest’s location in the relative centre of Europe also makes it easy to travel to other nations across the continent by flight, train or bus, so you can easily make weekend trips to anywhere from Berlin to Santorini. Such trips are even easier when you consider that the Singaporean passport can currently take you anywhere within the 27-nation Schengen Zone without a visa.
Hungary offers a digital nomad visa. For more information, click here.
Lisbon offers the best of both worlds, situated on a hill flanked by the coastline. The capital of Portugal retains much of its old world heritage through its architecture and amenities, which sit alongside modern, up-and-coming food and nightlife spots. Fans of surfing will love the abundance of beaches and surf spots here too, owing to the winds that bring in waves from the Atlantic Ocean. And unlike much of Europe, Portugal enjoys a moderate climate year-round, emblematic of the Mediterranean. Besides Lisbon, there are smaller towns to consider as well, such as Porto, Sagres and Ponta do Sol in the Madeira Islands, which has a digital nomad village.
Portugal offers a digital nomad visa. For more information, click here.
Right beside Portugal sits Spain, and chiefly among the cities to live in as a digital nomad is the capital city, Barcelona. With a similarly warm, sunny and dry climate, Barcelona offers a relaxed atmosphere with offerings of tapas, siesta and beaches along its coastline, plus some rowdier nightlife for those seeking more wild escapades. The city is also a design and architectural haven, touched by the likes of geniuses such as Antoni Gaudí. There's a slew of historic destinations and museums to fill your time here, and you can easily make short side trips to cities like Madrid and Seville - or head across the Mediterranean into Morocco and neighbouring European nations. Who knows? While you're at it, you might even pick up a little bit of Spanish, the fourth most-spoken language in the world.
Spain offers a digital nomad visa. For more information, click here.