Where are the best places to live in Asia for digital nomads? The answer comes down to personal preference, but here at WiFi Tribe – given our extensive experience living and working all over the continent – we have a pretty good idea of where the best places to live can be found. We’ve also done another two articles like this looking at South America and Europe, if you want to check our track record at picking destinations. You can also subscribe and get updates on our new locations if you’re looking to join us on one of our co-living Chapters around the world!
While there are seemingly endless things to consider for those who are seeking an ideal place to set up, we’ve compiled this list for the aspiring digital nomad based on their infrastructure, accessibility, affordability, and workspaces.
Chiang Mai, Thailand: The Hottest Hotspot for Digital Nomads
Believe the hype! Chiang Mai is a number one digital nomad destination for a reason. This vibrant city is nestled in the beautiful rolling northern mountains of Thailand and boasts a well-established and friendly digital nomad community.
Why it’s great for first-time nomads: Chiang Mai balances relaxed lifestyle and sunshine with solid infrastructure and impactful co-working spaces.
Vitals:
Internet
Nomadlist, a popular digital nomad resource created by Pieter Levels, quotes Chiang Mai’s average internet speed at 20mbps.
Safety
Chiang Mai is a safe place to be. The most a typical nomad has to worry about here is some dropshipping and lifestyle scams here and there, according to Lonely Planet’s guide.
Access
This is a highly walkable destination, minimalists!
When neighborhood hopping within the city, inexpensive rickshaws and tuk-tuks will get the job done. It’s also possible to hire a taxi for the day for those who wish to explore the many natural wonders that surround the city.
For the more daring nomads who wish to tackle Thailand’s famously terrifying traffic, scooters are also easy to find. But check the fine print– make sure theft, accident, and medical insurance are covered.
Work:
Phones
AIS, DTAC, and True are the three primary SIM providers. Even the most freedom-loving nomad needn’t shy away from SIM contracts in Thailand– everything from monthly, to pay-as-you-go, and even daily contracts are available.
Co-working, cafes, and community
Chiang Mai’s co-working scene is rich with somewhere around 60 popular options and a great coffee scene to boot. Punspace, Mana, and CAMP are three of the biggest, but the possibilities are endless with unique, trendy, and functional places scattered all across the city.
The digital nomad community in Chiang Mai is equally as thriving. Weekly meetups are a great way to network and exchange ideas, and for nomads with FOMO there’re always groups planning day or weekend-long excursions.
Life:
Cost of living
Cheap! Nomadlist shows an average of $886 per month for rent, eating out three meals a day (definitely do-able with all the cuisine to explore!), and work-space costs.
Experiences
- Local festivals
- The “Grand Canyon”
- Chiang Rai
- Koh Phangan (Located in the Gulf of Thailand, but another great digital nomad destination!)
English
Thanks to the city’s booming tourism business, English is often available in the service industry.
Visas
Most can expect a 30-day visa upon arrival, which can be extended once for $55.
Bali, Indonesia: The Meccas of Canggu and Ubud
Picturesque nature scenes are a natural draw to this tropical island. But deeper than that is the spiritual Bali culture that digital nomads have the awesome opportunity to live and work in.
Why it’s great for first-time nomads: The growing digital nomad communities in the two main cities, Canggu and Ubud, have lead to stable internet connections and totally unique nomad cultures. There’s a ton to explore and it’s a great place to get centered.
Vitals:
Internet
Speeds in Bali are overall fairly slow, according to Nomadlist. Canggu’s speeds are the faster of the two at 15mbps, with more readily available small cafes. Ubud’s internet can be, on average, a crawling 5mbps, though the city is host to more co-working spaces with reliable connections.
Safety
Bali is an another safe place to be a nomad, with the primary concern being ATM skimming outside of bank ATMs, according to Lonely Planet’s area guide.
Access
Both Canggu and Ubud are best roamed with a bike or scooter, with Ubud being the most walkable of the two.
Doesn’t sound appealing? Don’t worry– Bali’s creature comforts include cheap and accessible Uber rides too.
Work:
Phone
Telkomsel Simpati, EX, and Smartfren are the three big companies in Bali. SIM cards can be found primarily at phone shops scattered all around the island.
Co-working, cafes, and community
Beach front, open air, bamboo ceilings, poolside… Being at peace is a powerful tool for tackling work and passion projects. Co-working spaces in Bali are an oasis for the mind and spirit. With about 10 in Canggu and 20 in Ubud, there are plenty of options available.
Hubud, in Ubud, and Dojo, in Canggu, are among the best, which also offer co-living services.
The different cities have different vibes, which is half of the fun to explore. In any case, it’s easy to find like-minded people in Bali.
Life:
Cost of living
Bali is a place of affordable and abundant luxury. Nomadlist quotes an average of $1,124 a month, which makes it a little more expensive than Chiang Mai, but still budgeter-friendly.
Experiences
- Yoga
- Hiking
- Surfing
- Scaling volcanos
- World Heritage Site Subak Irritation System
English
Bali is a well-traveled tourist destination, so English is widely spoken.
Visa
30-day visas are available for $35 upon arrival for most. It is possible to extend.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam: The Underrated Gem
Estimates for scooter ownership in the city, formerly known as Saigon, range anywhere from 2 million to 7 million. Now, that’s a pretty wide range, but even at the low end it’s safe to say that this city is bursting with life. Ho Chi Minh is popular amongst exuberant nomads who appreciate cheap and good eats.
Why it’s great for first-time nomads:
Reliable connections, low cost of living, a world-class cafe scene, and one of Asia’s top co-working spaces make Ho Chi Minh a great first adventure.
Vitals:
Internet
Speeds, while reliable, are estimated to hover around 10mbps, according to Nomad list.
Safety
Although pickpocketing is a known issue in the area, Ho Chi Minh is a safe city.
Access
Ever had an Uber driver pull up to your driveway with a scooter? It might happen in Ho Chi Minh! Uber and Grab are both available.
Like Chiang Mai and Bali, rental scooters are available.
Work:
Phone
Viettel, Movifone, and Vinaphone are the main SIM providers in Vietnam. Like in Chiang Mai, it’s easiest to take care of this at the airport.
Co-working, cafes, and community
With over 30 popular co-working spaces to choose from, Ho Chi Minh’s District 1 and 2 are great places to be.
One of the largest facilities, Dreamplex, was featured in Forbe’s “11 Best Coworking Spaces in Asia” and described as “modern” and “upscale”.
The digital nomad community in Ho Chi Minh is not as strong as in Chiang Mai or Bali, so it may be better for those who prefer small groups.
Life:
Cost of living
Nomadlist ranks Ho Chi Minh as another irresistibly affordable location. Monthly costs hover around $780.
Experiences
- Canoeing in the Mekong Delta
- Vietnamese coffee
- Tet (Vietnamese New Year)
- Hoi An City (another great digital nomad destination!)
English
Although the overall usage of English is poor, it is possible to get by and locals are friendly.
Visa
This visa must be taken care of ahead of time with an E-visa, pre-approval for a visa, or the full mail-in application. Visas are given in 1-, 3-, and 6-month increments.
Honourable Mentions: More Gems in East and Southeast Asia
Hong Kong – international living in the city center full of skyscrapers, with nearby sandy beaches and relaxed vibes: you can’t go wrong with Hong Kong
Bangkok, Thailand – beyond the nightlife and party scene is an ideal city for digital nomads, especially those starting out on entrepreneurial projects
Singapore – full of so much more than expats from Australia and New Zealand, Singapore is one of the best places to set up shop, despite the relatively high prices
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia – Penang also has its draws, but KL offers big city amenities with nearby adventures and incredible Malaysian street food
Kyoto, Japan – smaller than Tokyo (the world’s largest city), with a bigger digital nomad scene
Taipei, Taiwan – a technological hub, less visited than nearby locations: Taipei is perfect for those looking for an underrated sweet spot
Shanghai, China – if you want to experience mainland China in one of the largest Asian cities, Shanghai is a good place to start
Seoul, South Korea – a great mix of resources for remote workers and an enjoyable quality of life
Although this list is hardly comprehensive, it should help on your journey towards working remotely in Asia. If you need more help figuring out how to make it happen, check out our ultimate to-do list before going remote.
We’d love to hear from you! Let us know your own top picks for the best first-time digital nomad destinations in Asia. We’re all ears when it comes to amazing remote working locations.
