Do you yearn to live overseas, experience a different way of life and see more of the world? The digital nomad lifestyle allows you to do all of those things and more! All you need is to decide how you want to earn money online and where you want to go. I’ve already covered my top recommended paths for making money online while travelling, this post will focus solely on the best digital nomad cities for women, so you can make the right decision for you. 

In this post, I will cover the key deciding factors that can guide you into deciding where to live and of course will give an overview of the best digital nomad cities.

What To Look For in a Digital Nomad Destination

Choosing out of the best digital nomad cities for women is a huge decision, particularly if you are travelling far from home. There are a range of factors to consider, so it can be overwhelming! Below are the top 7 factors, in my opinion, that will influence which of the best digital nomad cities for women you should decide on.

This will change from person to person as it is very dependent on individual circumstances, values and needs. You will need to take some time to really think about what is most important to you in deciding where you want to work, travel and live. 

1. Visas and work permits

Firstly, you will need to assess if you can legally work and reside in the country you have your heart set on. 

If you intend to stay and work remotely in a place for a longer period, you will need to assess the visa policy. Visa policies can differ a lot from one another, so when researching new locations, you should look at the visa requirements. Consider the process for getting a visa, possibly extensions and whether there is a digital nomad visa. 

Also, consider the rules for ‘working’ while in a country. While most countries don’t allow employment with a local company without a work visa, digital nomads are usually considered tourists. It is, however, a good idea to check this before departure.

2. Cost of Living

Can you afford rent, food, transportation, entertainment, WiFi, healthcare and travel? 

The cost of living is one of the most important factors to assess, especially if you are income as a digital nomad is incredibly variable and inconsistent. 

If you can’t afford to live in a certain city, do yourself a favour and move on to the next city. Financial stress will put a huge burden on your time abroad and will mean having to cut expenditures on trips and other non-essential activities/things. But if you can afford to live in an expensive city, ensure you still weigh up the pros and cons to ensure you are getting the best bang for your buck. 

3. Internet Connectivity & Coworking Spaces

Next, we have internet connectivity and work-friendly spaces. These days you can travel and work without a strong internet connection thanks to travel routers, however, longtime this is not a sustainable or cost-effective approach. 

Make sure you are aware of the local internet situation, including what’s available in your potential residence, at cafés, and data offered by mobile internet providers. Another important consideration is security, hackers often target free Wifi due to the lack of security systems in place. 

Moreover, consider where you will be working. If your living space doesn’t cut it for a working setup, it’s good to know that there are other alternatives available. Cities with a vibrant digital nomad scene and coworking spaces on offer are preferable.

4. Travel Potential

Consider if the city has travel potential and is of interest to you. Does the city have neighbouring places to explore and if so how accessible are they? 

For example, comparing Auckland, New Zealand and Vienna, Austria. Auckland is much more remote with only a few neighbouring countries such as Australia and South Pacific regions. On the other hand, Vienna is centrally located in Europe so you can explore a range of countries and cultures right on your doorstep. 

5. Weather and climate

This next factor is often up to personal preference. Are you a summer beach bum or do you prefer cosying up in front of the fire during winter? 

Consider how often it rains, what the hottest and coldest seasons will be like and how the seasonal changes will impact your day-to-day. 

Extreme heat and humidity, torrential rain or snow storms can really put a damper on your mood and can impact your daily schedule. For some, it’s for the better, skiing anyone? For others not so much! 

6. Safety

A top priority for us young women living the digital nomad lifestyle. Safety is paramount, particularly in a city you are not familiar with and with no one you trust close by. 

Assess the crime rates, protective laws and political stability.

The peace of mind that you are out of harm’s way, will go a long way, particularly as a young solo woman.

7. Healthcare

Lastly, we have access to quality and affordable healthcare. Check out health insurance costs and regulations. 

There are government regulations that require you to stay in your country for a few months every year. Only then you can pay the tax and access free healthcare. This may not work if you are planning on moving around a lot. And yes, some countries, for example, Poland will actually check if you’re home, which has caught digital nomads out in the past. 

 Furthermore, some private insurance companies don’t allow you to travel with a one-way ticket, so you need to plan your trip with a return flight. 

Best Digital Nomad Cities For Women

1. Melbourne, Australia

Starting off with the land down under, Australia. Melbourne is a vibrant, trendy city that is relatively affordable in comparison to other major cities in Australia such as Sydney. Easily identified by the iconic laneways that permeate through Melbourne, the street art, live shows, galleries and hip coffee culture, Melbourne boasts a life of individuality, expression and freedom. 

With fantastic infrastructure and loads of Wifi cafes and coworking spaces, digital nomads can easily settle in the CBD. Escape the city hustle a bustle by taking a trip as short as 15 minutes to a range of gorgeous beaches. 

Melbourne is a populous city in Australia, that is welcoming to internationals due to the range of meetups, live shows, comedy acts and more. Plus it is a great starting point for exploring the diverse Australian culture and landmarks. 

Discover what it’s actually like to work and travel in Australia and how to turn it into a reality! 

2. Lisbon, Portugal

Next, we have the beautiful coastal city in Portugal, Lisbon. One of the most up-and-coming cities for digital nomads looking for warm weather, rich culture and a more affordable county in Europe to set up a base. 

With 300 days of sunshine a year, beautiful beaches close to the city and a more relaxed vibe to day-to-day life. More and more modern co-working spaces and internet cafes are hitting Lisbon, It’s no surprise this city a hit with digital nomads.

Meeting new people shouldn’t be too difficult due to the large expat community and the English proficiency with the locals. Spend your days off the computer exploring the rich history, walking the hills and taking in the ancient architecture, visiting gorgeous attractions, tasting mouth-watering food and dancing the night away at some of the best bars and clubs in Europe. 

A huge bonus of Lisbon is that Portugal offers a digital nomad visa and an incredible Golden visa program, for those looking for something more permanent. 

The main downside or Lisbon noted by other nomads is the bureaucracy, slower pace and rising prices. 

3. Chiang Mai, Thailand

Moving over to South-East Asia. Chiang Mai in Thailand is a popular hub for digital nomads looking to keep costs down and be immersed in Thai culture. 

A stunning yet low-key city that boasts modern coworking spaces, historic temples, amazing food and stunning nature. Over 60 countries are permitted to enter Thailand without a visa for up to 30 days sometimes even 60 days. No wonder it’s named the digital nomad capital of the world. 

If you are wanting to stay more long-term, there isn’t a specific digital nomad visa so it may be more difficult than other cities. The most recent addition to the list was the 10-year Long-Term Resident (LTR) visa in the Remote Worker category that aims to attract wealthy individuals. To qualify for the visa you need to work for an established international company and earn over $ 80,000 USD. Other visas to explore are the Smart-S visa which is applicable to entrepreneurs setting up a start-up in Thailand or the Student/Education visa. 

4. Mexico City, Mexico

The best digital nomad cities for women looking for a bustling metropolis with an excellent relative value of living, consider Mexico city. 

Mexico City offers fast wifi, plenty of co-working spaces, and a large community of fellow remote workers. And because it’s such a large city, there are always new things to explore, so you’ll never get bored!

Explore the histroy, beautiful neighbourhoods, mouth-watering food (fajita’s anyone), coffee whilst on a lower budget. Took about saving your hard-earned coins to travel the world.

Mexico is a relatively safe city for young women, with a few caveats that is. As long as you take some basic precautions, stay alert and aware of your surroundings and avoid certain areas at night the chances are you’ll be fine living and working as a digital nomad in Mexico City.

As Mexico City is so large, pick your area wisely. Some neighbourhoods are considered as safe as the nicer parts of New York and London. The safest cities include La Condesa, Roma, Polanco, Reforma, Santa Maria La Ribera as Coyoacán,

5. Austin, USA

Next, we have Austin with a thriving and growing community of digital nomads, loads of outdoor activities and food galore.

Austin is a growing city, home to a number of successful start-ups and entrepreneurs, modern infrastructure and a fun and accepting community. Texas is actually the number 1 city in America to start a business, so if you are wanting to take your digital job to the next level, Austin may be for you.

Expect to be surrounded by creative, passionate people who are a unique blend of laid-back and eclectic. Experience Austin’s vibrant Latino and Hispanic scene, the culture is intertwined in the city life, making it a truly unique place.

Spend your evenings and weekends dancing the night away at the abundance of live music venues and thriving nightclubs. Seriously, there are over 250 live music venues to keep you entertained with every genre of music you can think of!

And finally, Austin boasts 300 days of sunshine a year thanks to its subtropical climate. Summers are hot, humid and sometimes overpowering and winters are pleasant compared to neighbouring cities.

6. Prague, Czech Republic

Number 6 on the list of best cities for digital nomads is Prague, Czech Republic, ranked one of the most beautiful cities in the world.

With fantastic transportation systems, loads of cafes, a range of coworking spaces, amazing beer and hearty meals, Prague is one of the more underrated best cities for digital nomads that you should definitely consider!

Prague is a unique city no matter what time of year you plan on visiting. There is always a festival, event of fun activity taking place to enjoy with your new friends from the growing expat community.

Another great pro of Prague is that you can survive without knowing a word of Czech! Although, as a digital nomad, truly immersing yourself in the culture in my eyes means making the effort to learn the language to interact with the locals.

Prague is relatively cheap to live in, particularly for a major city in Europe with expenses around $2000/month in comparison to Paris and London which is roughly $4000/month! It is also centrally located in Europe, meaning you can travel across the continent by bus, train and plane!

Lastly, and importantly, Prague is one of the safest cities in Europe, perfect for young women travelling solo.

7. Madrid, Spain

Moving over to Madrid Spain.

Madrid is a fantastic place for sun-loving digital nomads! Increasingly popular with young nomads, the trendy city is a great hub for travel lovers. More and more people are flocking to Madrid which totalling about 16% of the city’s population are non-natives.

In Madrid, you will be spoilt for choice with the epicentre of Spanish food on offer. Some of the most flavourful Spanish dishes and tasty treats from the rest of the world to be discovered in the city.

Comparing Madrid to other parts of Western Europe, prices are very reasonable! Long-term digital nomads can save a lot of their hard-earned dollars if they chose Madrid over Paris, Amsterdam and Zurich.

Furthermore, transportation is great and there are plenty of cafes and co-working spaces for you to live a successful digital nomad lifestyle.

As a city that never sleeps, except after lunch during a Siesta, Madrid has bouncing beats, bottomless booze and a number of after-dark activities perfect for making new friends.

Madrid is central in Spain, so it’s the perfect home base for exploring the rest of the nation on day trips and weekend getaways, think a beach vacay in Barcelona or a fascinating history and architecture tour in Seville.

Spain now offers an appealing digital nomad visa with lots of perks and pros for remote workers like you! Enter the country with ease and stay for 1-5 years. And get this, for the first 4 years, you can enjoy a generous tax break!

8. Berlin, Germany

If you are looking for a popular digital nomad city in the centre of Europe, you will very likely consider Berlin as a potential option.

The best time to visit Berlin is undoubtedly during the summertime when temperatures are between 20°C and 28°C. In summer there are tons of festivals and events to keep you busy and to meet others. On the other hand, once winter comes around, it can be very cold, dreary and dark. Temperatures are usually 0-5°C without a magical snowfall, so it may not be as romantic compared to other European winters.

Berlin is located basically in the middle of Central Europe, meaning it is accessible from all directions and it’s easy to travel the rest of Europe on a budget!

Furthermore, Berlin is probably still one of the cheapest capitals in central Europe. However, prices for accommodation increased a lot during the past years.

Finding a place to live can be a little challenging as Berlin is huge and ever-growing. To give you a headstart on your research, out of the 12 districts the ones I would consider for digital nomads are Mitte, Prenzlauerberg, Kreuzberg and Friedrichshain.

And lastly, there is a great initiative called Freelance Friday. Once a month freelancers, remote workers, entrepreneurs, and other creative minds come together to connect. Meet up at a different coworking space each month to spend the day working and chatting with like-minded travelers. This also means you can explore some of the best coworking spaces in Berlin for FREE. Huge win!

9. Canggu, Indonesia

Number 9 on the list of best digital nomad cities for women is Canggu, Indonesia.

Arguably the best area to live in Bali as a digital nomad is Canggu. Canggu is an up-and-coming hub for digital nomads and remote workers. With beautiful scenery, it’s the perfect backdrop for content creators.

Located on the west coast of Bali, about an hour’s drive from the airport, Canggu is a picturesque resort village surrounded by rice fields and stunning black sand beaches.

Offering a great work-life balance lifestyle, numerous hip cafes and co-working spaces, bars and beach clubs, and surfing and yoga classes, there is no surprise it’s popular with nomads!

Canggu is an incredibly affordable place to live. Plus there are loads of great Canggu hotels and places to stay for your friends and family when they come to visit!

Although Canggu is one of the more expensive areas in Bali however it is still very cheap in comparison to cities in Europe, Australia and America.

Most nationalities (over 160) do not technically need a visa to go to Bali. You can stay in the country for 30 days visa-free. If you plan on staying in Indonesia for longer, you can get a 30-day visa on arrival which can be extended once for another 30 days or apply for a 60-day visa before you go.

Although many digital nomads do what’s called a “visa run” every 60 days. But this can be tiresome and expensive. The other alternative is to apply for a Sosial Budaya Visa which is meant for visiting Indonesian friends and family but is issued quite liberally.

With this visa, you can stay for 60 days and can extend four more times for 30 days each giving you a total of 180 days in Indonesia.

10. Syndey, Australia

Lucky last, we have the sunny, populous city in Australia, Sydney.

Sydney is known for its fitness and wellness, beautiful inner-city beaches, youthful social scene and range of landmarks to explore.

Sydney siders live a more balanced life. They are often seen rising at 5 am to go for a morning beach swim before heading to the office and will knock off for the day to meet friends for a couple of cold ones. Weekends are spent strolling the beach with a cup of some of the best coffee in the world followed by a delicious, healthy brunch.

Now I may be a little biased, but as an Aussie, I have travelled far and wide, lived and breathed the culture and driven the roads less travelled. So I think I’m qualified to give the following piece of advice. Australia is one of the safest countries in the world with a unique blended culture, and breathtaking natural attractions that I believe everyone should experience in their lifetime.

Around 30% of people in Australia are born overseas. There’s no surprise that collectively, Australians speak over 200 languages, making it the perfect hub for digital nomads to meet like-minded people from across the globe.

Sydney is blessed with beautiful sunny weather all year round. Summers are hot, winters are manageable and yes you will still see surfers hitting the waves or locals strolling around in t-shirts in the midst of winter.

Digital nomads in Sydney will take road trips of flights to explore the breadth of attractions that Australia has on offer. And make sure to travel south to New Zealand or head west to explore the picturesque South Pacific Islands such as Fiji, Vanuatu and New Caledonia. 

But… Sydney is the most expensive city in Australia and is in the top 10 in the world for its high price tag. Huge sigh! Why does a gorgeous city with stunning weather have to come with such a high cost?

And there we have it the top 10 best digital cities in the world for young women! No matter your budget, travel preferences or working requirements one of the above cities is for you!

Let me know in the comments which city resonates with you most! I’m leaning towards Lisbon or Madrid.

The Wrap Up:Best Digital Nomad Cities for Women!

And there you have it, fellow trailblazers– our whirlwind tour of the best digital nomad cities for women comes to a close.

As we wrap up this journey, one thing’s for certain: the world is ripe with possibilities, and there are plenty of digital nomad cities for women!

From the vibrant cultural hubs to the serene coastal escapes, each destination on our list offers a unique blend of opportunities and experiences. Whether you’re seeking a supportive community, endless networking prospects, or simply a backdrop that fuels your creativity, these cities have proven time and again that they’re ready to welcome women with open arms.

As you ponder your next steps in the world of digital nomadism, remember this: you are capable of forging your own path, and you have the power to shape your journey in any direction you choose.

The road ahead might have its twists and turns, but armed with the insights and knowledge gathered here, you’re more than equipped to navigate it all.

Whether you find yourself sipping coffee in a bustling cafe in Lisbon, gazing at a breathtaking sunset in Bali, or conquering the co-working spaces of Sydney, your journey as a digital nomad woman is one of empowerment, growth, and discovery.

So, here’s to the women who are redefining work, travel, and life itself. May your laptops be charged, your Wi-Fi signals strong, and your wanderlust forever unquenchable. The world is your office, your playground, and your canvas – go out there and paint the most vibrant, fulfilling picture of the digital nomad life.

Safe travels, fierce nomads!

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