It’s no secret that digital nomads love Asia. Many Asian countries offer a low cost of living which allows digital nomads to live the high life for less. If you’re thinking of embracing a remote lifestyle, check out this list of the best cities in Asia for digital nomads to live, work and play.

Factors to Consider

Lifestyle

You can live and work in luxury for relatively little money in all of the cities mentioned on this list. This means you can go out more, work less and live like a king without paying top dollar for everything. 

Safety

I wouldn’t send you somewhere dangerous! Crime rates are low in all of the following cities. The most common type of crime you’ll experience is petty crime such as pickpocketing and phone snatching. It’s unpleasant but easily avoided if you’re careful with your belongings. Remember to always follow these common sense travel tips and you’ll be just fine.

Internet 

The phrase “work from anywhere” should really be amended to “work from anywhere with good internet,” although let’s be honest, that’s far less catchy. The best cities in Asia for digital nomads are ones where you can find a strong and stable internet connection. 

Community

The nomadic life can be a lonely one. The best Asian cities for digital nomads are ones with a friendly and welcoming expat community to help you find that much-needed sense of belonging. 

Chiang Mai, Thailand

We’re starting off with the digital nomad capital of the world. Chiang Mai is the perfect place to start your digital nomad adventure because it’s safe and affordable with plenty of fellow expats who’ll be more than happy to help you find your feet. It’s a charming and very manageable city with lots of coworking spaces, great accommodation and plenty of fun things to do on your days off. To find out more about digital nomad life in Chiang Mai, check out this comprehensive guide by yours truly.

Canggu, Bali, Indonesia 

Canggu is a laid back, hippie paradise with golden beaches and good waves. It’s undeniably cool, with some of the most stylish cafes, boutiques and bars you’ve ever come across. For a couple of hundred dollars per month, you could find yourself living in a luxe villa with a private pool in the back garden which doesn’t sound too terrible, if you ask me.

Ubud, Bali, Indonesia

The spiritually inclined will feel right at home in Bali’s cultural capital. Set amongst the island’s lush green rainforests and rice paddies, Ubud is a stunningly beautiful place to live and work. It’s also one of Asia’s top spa destinations, so you’ll be able to pamper yourself plenty on your days off.

Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

Also known as Saigon, Ho Chi Minh City is one of the best cities in Asia for digital nomads who like to work hard and play even harder. Admittedly, the city is rough round the edges and can feel very overwhelming at first with its insane traffic. However, when you dig a little deeper you’ll discover a vibrant cafe culture, friendly locals and a strong and welcoming expat community. 

Danang, Vietnam

Like Ho Chi Minh City, Danang boasts an extremely low cost of living and fast internet, but it’s decidedly less chaotic. Danang is an up-and-coming beach city and the expat community here grows stronger by the day. It’s also the cheapest place to live on this list, and that’s saying something. You can rent a two-bedroom luxury apartment by the beach for less than $500 per month. Yes, really. 

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur is a modern and developed city that proudly retains its traditional roots. Luxury apartments in the city centre are very affordable at between $600-900 for a two-bedroom unit. The internet in Kuala Lumpur is decent but not super fast, so I’d advise getting a local SIM card to use as a backup. 

Taipei, Taiwan 

Taipei is a lively, futuristic city with uber-reliable internet and an interesting culture. Since Taipei is a very developed city, it’s not as cheap as some of the other destinations on this list. However, the superior infrastructure means day-to-day life in Taipei runs a lot more smoothly than in, say, Danang or Ubud. Besides, Taipei is still much more affordable than any major city in the USA, so it really depends on what’s most important to you.

So there we have it – my top pick of the best cities in Asia for digital nomads! For more on working from anywhere, why not check out this list of the best online jobs?