The time is coming.
You never thought you would make it.
After all the lectures, last minute cramming, research papers, and exams, college is coming to an end. Now while you may not want to go home, you certainly can’t stay here.
And in this day and age, you don’t need to. With many companies embracing remote work and flexible schedules, it is the perfect time to take advantage of these policies as you figure out your future while working a full time gig. In other words, ditch the office and take up the mantle of a digital nomad (all the cool kids are doing it).
So where to? Where are the best places to move after you graduate in 2023? This is exactly what this article will address.
Let’s begin.
A digital nomad is someone who earns their living while working remotely and in locations of their choosing. A digital nomad visa allows remote workers who are location independent to reside in a foreign country on a temporary residence permit. To be eligible for such a visa, you need to be self-employed with clients outside of the country where you hold the visa or employed by a company established outside of the country where you hold the visa.
The majority of digital nomad visas last for one year with options to renew. If you enjoy your low cost lifestyle and aren’t missing your old neighborhood, you could potentially live in the same country for two to three years.
Currently, there are 42 countries that offer a digital nomad visa. For the full list, please visit Visa Guide.
Thailand is beautiful, tourists love it, and the government knows it. This is precisely why they are looking to attract foreigners to make the move. The government has rolled out a program to attract up to one million wealthy or talented foreigners to the country over the next five years, allowing them to stay for up to ten years.
But that isn’t all, Thailand offers great food, a strong internet connection, a low cost of living, and is a great home base to explore the rest of Southeast Asia. You can spend your time on Slack while hiking and take a Zoom meeting from the beach, so long as you have a “proper” background that won’t make your boss envious.
Like Thailand, the Indonesian government wants to bring millions of overseas workers to boost their economy. This includes you. Their digital nomad visa would allow workers to live and work in Indonesia tax free so long as their employers are based outside of the country. Indonesia offers beautiful locales, friendly people, inexpensive living, and 17,000 islands to explore (including Java, Sumatra, and of course, Bali).
If you love a low cost of living, beautiful beaches, friendly people, and coffee, make Vietnam your next move. Paradoxically, Vietnam is a popular destination for digital nomads but doesn’t offer a digital nomad visa (technically, you are not allowed to work on a three month tourist visa), so you will need to do your homework before planting your flag (you can obtain your visa from the country’s official portal). Vietnam offers ample co-working spaces, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and great nightlife.
However, the Wi-Fi may not be as fast as other more developed countries in Asia, especially in rural areas.
Not only is Germany at the center of Europe (allowing you to hop on a train and be in Paris or Prague easily), but according to a study conducted by Nord Layer, Germany is the #1 place for remote workers in the world. While it may lack beaches and be more expensive than other locations on this list, Germany offers strong Wi-Fi throughout the country, vibrant nightlife in its major cities, a community of digital nomads, and many startup opportunities (Berlin serves as a major startup hub). Despite this, the cost of living is much higher here and obtaining a long-term visa for non-Europeans can be difficult. Ultimately, the cold and dark German winters could certainly cramp your style.
Often called the California of Europe (offering a laid back atmosphere but without the high prices), Portugal is a great location to call home. The cost of living is low, the Wi-Fi is great, and its popularity in recent years has led to people from around the world to flock to cities such as Lisbon and Porto. This popularity has led to rising rent costs in Lisbon, but if you are looking for a vibrant international scene with Europe at your fingertips, Portugal is for you. It is also good to note that Portugal offers a digital nomad visa via their D7 Visa.
If you want the European café lifestyle of ancient cities along with islands to explore and a low cost of living, then look no further than Croatia. Not only is Croatia one of the safest countries in the world, but it also has a high quality of life. And the best part? They are offering a digital nomad visa for up to 12 months. Here is a step by step guide on how to obtain one.
South Africa is a popular spot for digital nomads and expats. Locals are friendly and welcoming. Cities such as Cape Town and Johannesburg offer ample co-working spaces, cafés, and restaurants to set up shop. On your weekends, you can explore the country and take in a safari, or just head to the beach. The exchange rate is reasonable with US$1 equaling 17.34 South African Rand at the time of this writing. While there is no official digital nomad visa, the government has announced one is on the way.
It should be noted that South Africa has high crime rates in certain areas. If moving there, take the same precautions that you would in any other major city. Like many other locations on this list, the Wi-Fi in rural regions could be unreliable.
If you like historic sites, beaches, a low cost of living, and great cuisine (tacos anyone?), Mexico is the place for you. Furthermore, if you work for a U.S. based company, you will be in the same time zone as the majority of the United States. Mexico City (known as the tropical New York City), has become a hotspot for digital nomads as it offers everything from historic sites to the most modern museums. Or, if you want a more laid back locale, Tulum and Playa Del Carmen are also beautiful locations to post up. Officially Mexico’s digital nomad visa is called a temporary residence visa (which allows you to stay up to four years).
Argentina has something for everyone. Buenos Aires offers a bustling capital city with great public transportation while Mendoza is more relaxed and laid back. You can head into the country and take in the beautiful landscapes, including Patagonia (where you can see penguins in the wild). The cost of living is low, the locals are friendly, and English is widely spoken. The internet is slow compared to other countries in South America and while Argentina is digital nomad friendly, they have no digital nomad visa but have announced plans to offer one.
Not only is Columbia a popular destination for digital nomads, offering reliable internet, a low cost of living, and beautiful scenery, but the country has just announced a digital nomad visa. The Columbia digital nomad visa allows for digital nomads to stay in the country for up to two years. Even more interesting, this visa allows for visitors to start a business in digital technology within the country. It should be noted that English is not as widely spoken throughout Columbia and depending on the city, there are high crime rates.
No matter what career you choose to pursue, there are ample countries to live where you can make money, save money, and make your Instagram followers jealous. We hope that this article opens a door of possibilities as you live a life of adventure and keeps you out of your parent’s house.