A few months ago, Euronews released an article with the best cities for remote workers. While this sounds like a promising article, the cities mentioned in this list aren’t the best to live in.
We’re saying this in terms of tax policies, immigration applications, and the likes.
So if you want to move or live abroad for an indefinite period as a remote worker, you seriously need to consider your location.
Not only that but there are varying factors that you have to consider when looking for a “home” base. You have to think about internet connection speed, client base, and visa status among others that each remote worker has to think about.
These are all important factors that we would like to discuss from our perspective.
What is Remote Work?
First and foremost, we think that it’s best to discuss what remote work is.
In the digital age, most professionals can work remotely just by using their talent, their niche, and the power of technology. It doesn’t matter what line of work they’re in because there are so many things that you can do online.
Basically, remote working means that you’re working from the comfort of your chosen location. This means that you’re not confined to an office space or even a single city.
Frankly, most people prefer this setup. And with the rise of this current pandemic, people have started to realize that they don’t need to stay in one place.
They can go wherever they’re treated best.
Here at Nomad Capitalist, this is something that we seriously believe in and campaign for. We know that living in a single place can sometimes be a bit dull, so we encourage you to go where you’re treated best and work remotely if you can.
So now, back to that article by Euronews. The article lists six countries that they think are the best cities for remote workers.
But did they really consider the needs of globally mobile seven to eight-figure entrepreneurs? Not really.
They also didn’t consider the immigration needs of those who aren’t from legacy brand countries.
So which cities are the best cities for remote workers according to Euronews?
Berlin: Best Cities for Remote Workers with Freelance Visa
One of the best cities for remote workers that were included in the list was none other than Berlin, Germany.
Now we get the charm that Berlin has, and Andrew has spent quite a bit of time in that city, and said that Berlin is for a certain type of people.
Sure, it’s a city filled with culture, history, and a great social scene. But if you’re a seven to eight-figure entrepreneur, Berlin’s nightlife scene might not be that appealing to you.
Plus, there’s a whole lot of documentation needed for you to qualify for Germany’s Freelance Visa. You might need to show some money in the bank, which is normal, but you might also need to prove that you have clients in Berlin or the entirety of Germany.
Not only that, but the country isn’t tax-friendly, so we’re having our doubts as to whether Berlin is one of the best cities for remote workers or not.
Rijeka: Best Cities for Remote Workers Looking for Peace and Quiet
In the article, it says that Rijeka is “Home to sparkling blue waters, and a host of cafes and restaurants along the city’s Korzo promenade, digital nomads can seek out a quiet spot to while away the hours in the gorgeous Croatian sun.”
Here is the question: are you working or are you whiling away the hours?
While there’s no question about Croatia’s peace, tranquility, and beauty, your ideal work environment should be seriously outlined if you want to find the best cities for remote workers.
This is why whiling away at the portside doesn’t usually work for those earning seven to eight-figure salaries.
These people know that there are jobs to be done so that they might want a place with better working conditions.
Sydney: Best Cities for Remote Workers in a Legacy Brand Country
Frankly, we don’t get why the western media has such an obsession with Australia. Honestly, there’s no “complete” list without mentioning Australia.
Sure, there’s a fast internet connection and a couple of great co-working spaces in Sydney. However, you can get those same things in Cape Town or Bucharest. Plus, if you go to more cities in Southeast Asia, you wouldn’t have to pay the ridiculous amount of taxes you will pay when you live and work in Australia.
We just don’t see the fascination with this legacy brand country.
Valencia: Best Cities for Remote Workers in Terms of Affordability
Valencia is undoubtedly one of the most serene and cultural cities in Spain.
Andrew stayed there for a month, which was enough time to get a grasp of the city’s culture, like he said.
Now, while Valencia seems beautiful and affordable, there are things that you have to think about before working in this city.
While Spain seems like a “grand” country, it’s a mess when you look at it from a tax perspective. Not only that, but the government is pretty inefficient, except when they’re trying to ask its citizens for more money.
So we just don’t see the point in living here for the long term.
Not only that, but Spain isn’t a very competitive country, unlike its neighbor, Portugal. Sure, Spain has a Golden Visa Program, but as we’ve said, it’s not a very competitive program.
Tallinn: Best Cities for Remote Workers and as a Digital Nomad Hub
Out of all the cities on this list, Tallinn is the only place that we can probably agree on.
Not only is Tallinn a great city to go to if you’re a digital nomad, but we also love Estonia as a travel destination in general.
Through the years, Estonia has developed various immigration programs like their e-Residency Program that makes living there quite easy.
Plus, their taxes are pretty reasonable, unlike most of the cities on this list.
Krakow: Best Cities for Remote Workers in Terms of Academics
Don’t get us wrong, Krakow is a great city, and a beautiful one too!
However, we don’t think this is a great city to move into as a digital nomad.
Not only is Poland relatively hard to get into if you’re not from the European Union, but it’s harder to claim citizenship in the country. Unless you have Polish ancestry, then you can claim Polish Citizenship by Descent.
While we think that Krakow is a great city, we don’t think it’s a great place to live as a digital nomad or remote worker.
What We Think About This List of Best Cities for Remote Workers
Again, we don’t have any prejudices against the cities in Euronews’ article, but we just don’t think that they’re the best cities for remote workers.
We think that Euronews based that article on those remote workers who have citizenship in the European Union because most cities there are from the Schengen Area.
So what about those who aren’t from the area and don’t have access to the European Union?
Frankly, there are countless cities out there that can give each remote worker the same benefits and amenities.
Whether you’re looking for a place that can ultimately lead to second citizenship or if you’re simply looking for a place to carry on with your remote work from home jobs, then, there are cities out there for each Nomad Capitalist.
All you have to do is look and go where you’re treated best.
