Where Should I Digital Nomad?
You have income (or a lump of cash) and know you want to digital nomad, but you don't know where you want to live.
In my opinion, there 3 methods when selecting a location:
- Flight First
- Location First
- Hybrid of 1 & 2 (my method)
Methods
Method | Description | Pros | Cons |
---|---|---|---|
Flight First | Find cheap flight, then book trip. | Cheapest | Less location choice |
Location First | Select location, then find flight. | More choice | More expensive |
Hybrid | Find cheap flights for select list | Cheap w/ choice |
Flight First Method
I'm a sucker for a good flight deal. This plays a big part in how I decide on a location.
I've got a long list of tips for finding cheap flights. My favorite one that helps decide where I'll digital nomad is open-ended Google Flights search. You can find more details on that page.
Essentially, you search for:
- one-way tickets
- several source airports (if you're close to more than 1)
- no destination
- no departure date
![open ended google flights](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ibb.co%2FchbHvgP%2Fimage.png&w=3840&q=75)
Google displays a map from which you can start to scroll around.
![open ended google flights map](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fi.ibb.co%2F6BmvzLY%2Fimage.png&w=3840&q=75)
Destination First Method
There's some great tools/resources out there to help research where to digital nomad. My preference is to use a combination of NomadList (opens in a new tab) and Reddit (opens in a new tab).
I start with NomadList. Great for:
- High level nomad specific information (prices, internet speeds, weather, safety, quality of life, etc.)
- Discovering new cities you've never heard of
Once I've narrowed down a couple of cities, I use reddit to help gain a pulse on the city. I'll typically search in Google (better than Reddit search).
digital nomad [city] reddit.
ex. digial nomad chiang mi reddit
Hybrid Method
This is my preferred method. Use a combination of flight first & location first.
With this method, I first find a list of 10-15 locations that I would consider digital nomadding in.
I then use my cheap flight hacks and specifically the open-ended Google Flights search hack to look for flights in one of my selected locations.
You get the best of both worlds: a bargain where you want to live.
Examples
Thailand, Vietnam, Spain, & Ireland
I have an upcoming trip starting January 2024. I used method 3, hybrid, that probably leaned location first.
I knew I wanted to head to SE Asia for a couple months to start 2024 and have a wedding in Ireland in April.
I then went searching for locations in SE Asia on NomadList (opens in a new tab). I filtered it down to about a dozen cities in Thailand, Vietnam, & Indonesia.
Once I incorporated my open-ended Google Flights search hack, I ended up finding a one way from Boston -> Bangkok for $500USD. Reasonable, I think. This locked me in for Chiang Mai for the first month.
Once you're in SE asia, flights are so cheap to move around. I then picked a city I've been wanting to travel to, Da Nang.
My rough plan was to head from the US to SE Asia for a few months, work my way to Spain, then head to Ireland for the wedding.
- January - Chiang Mai (Thailand)
- February - Da Nang (Vietnam)
- March - Spain
- April - Ireland
Best Apps
Learn how to become a digital nomad and find the best places to live and work remotely as a location independent remote worker.
Why use it?
- Discover new cities
- Learn relevent information (monthly prices, internet speeds, weather, safety, quality of life, etc.)
![Google Flights](/_next/image?url=https%3A%2F%2Fcdn-icons-png.flaticon.com%2F512%2F720%2F720298.png&w=2048&q=75)
Use Google Flights to explore cheap flights to anywhere. Search destinations and track prices to find and book your next flight.
Why use it?
- Can search multiple airlines
- Find date ranges that are cheaper