You’re plugged in and tech savvy. Have you considered the digital nomad lifestyle? The benefits of being a digital nomad are plentiful, but it can be hard to know where to start if you’re looking to move from your current location. From Jill Matthews Photography, here are five American cities perfect for digital nomads and why each place makes the cut in its own way.
1. San Francisco, CA
San Francisco is often cited as one of America’s most expensive cities, with a cost of living that rivals New York City and Los Angeles — but digital nomads in San Francisco get exceptional value for their dollar. Above-average salaries enable them to enjoy a relatively high standard of living in a top-notch tech hub with plenty of coworking spaces to choose from. The city is also known for an incredibly rich culture. Of course, it all comes at a price — in particular, real estate costs here are among some of the highest in the country.
2. Tempe, AZ
While many digital nomads opt to live in Asian and European cities, there are plenty of reasons why Tempe, Arizona, is a great place to start your career. A city with a tech-savvy population,
Tempe's affordable cost of living attracts entrepreneurs looking to make their mark while saving money. The city also has many restaurants and bars with outdoor seating areas perfect for working on your laptop in the sun. When looking for accommodations, find something to match your budget by rental search engines where you can select pet-friendliness, the number of rooms, and anything else you need.
3. New Orleans, LA
If you're looking to live on your own terms, New Orleans offers a refreshingly liberal outlook on life. There's a thriving cultural and arts scene, great food and drink options (including several local breweries), friendly locals, and affordable living costs.
The largest city in Louisiana is an interesting combination of old and new and has become a hub for entrepreneurs. Some might call it a paradise for outdoorsy folks — with parades like Mardi Gras, festivals such as the French Quarter Festival, and plenty of parks along its rivers — while others may see it as yet another party destination where business can take second place.
4. Austin, TX
In Austin, you have a diverse set of options to choose from. Whether you’re in town for SXSWor visiting for other reasons, there are tons of ways to make your mark on Austin. Perhaps one of the top perks for digital nomads living here is the plethora of coworking community options.
U.S. News & World Report named Austin the No. 1 Best Place to Live in the U.S. thanks to its start-up-focused culture and an incredible music scene, which is yet another reason this city is a great place to be a digital nomad. Not only is it tech-friendly with good choices in coworking spaces, but it’s also one of those cities where there’s always something new going on.
5. New York City, NY
As a center for world business, NYC has a lot to offer digital nomads. There are lots of work opportunities available in Brooklyn and Manhattan, but each borough presents its own attractions. Perhaps the best thing about working in New York City is that there’s so much to do when you aren’t working.
Whether your heart is set on visiting an art museum or getting tickets for the NY Yankees, you can do it in NYC. And if you decide to go to a game, there are great tickets available all over the park. You can even preview your seats, too. Anything you want to do for work or recreation, you can find it in New York.
Perfect for Digital Nomads
Each city has plenty of great things going on that make it perfect for digital nomad entrepreneurs who want to spend a few months (or years) living somewhere other than home and working from wherever they like. Wherever you go, be sure that you have digital tools at your disposal. With the right tools at your fingertips, you can enjoy your work and surroundings in these great cities.