Best Places to Work Remotely in 2023

12/09/2023 12:17 PM

Introduction

If you are a remote worker, you might be wondering where to live and work in 2023. There are many factors to consider, such as the cost of living, the internet speed, the safety, the climate, and the culture. In this blog post, based on these criteria, we will share five of the best places to work remotely in 2023. We will also give you some tips on how to make the most of your remote work experience in these places.

Be aware that the information on cost of living is based on Numbeo, the information on internet speed is based on Speedtest, and the currency used is US dollars.

Best Places to Work Remotely in 2023

1. Thailand

Thailand is a popular destination for remote workers and for good reasons. It has a low cost of living, a tropical climate, a vibrant culture, and a friendly population. You can find many coworking spaces and cafes with reliable internet in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, and other cities. You can also enjoy the stunning beaches, islands, temples, and wildlife that Thailand has to offer.

Personally, we would recommend Chiang Mai. It’s the largest city in northern Thailand and is also one of the top vacation spots for remote workers and digital nomads. Chiang Mai is surrounded by wildlife and mountains and has a relaxed, welcoming environment.

In comparison to other Thai cities, Chiang Mai has a low cost of living and a high standard of living. For about $300 per month or $200 outside the city centre, you may rent a one-bedroom apartment. Without factoring in rent, the average monthly cost of living for a single individual in Chiang Mai is roughly $600.

2. Canada

Canada is a great place to work remotely if you love nature and diversity. It has a high quality of life, a stable economy, a universal health care system, and a multicultural society. You can choose from many cities that have a strong tech scene, such as Toronto, Vancouver, Montreal, and Ottawa. You can also explore the vast and beautiful landscapes of Canada, from the Rocky Mountains to the Niagara Falls.

Our Pick is Vancouver, one of the most livable and beautiful cities in the world. It is the third-largest city in Canada and boasts a pleasant, wet climate, breathtaking landscape, a wide variety of cultures, and amiable residents. Because it has so many coworking spaces, parks, and events, Vancouver is a popular destination for remote workers who wish to experience Canadian culture.

Compared to other Canadian cities, Vancouver has a higher cost of living, but it also provides high-quality services and amenities. One-bedroom apartments cost about $1,800 per month in the city's heart or $1,200 outside of it. Without factoring in rent, the average monthly cost of living for a single individual in Vancouver is over $2,000.

3. Spain

Spain is a charming place to work remotely if you love history and culture. It has a moderate cost of living, a sunny climate, a rich cuisine, and a lively nightlife. You can find many co-working spaces and co-living options in Madrid, Barcelona, Valencia, and other cities. You can also immerse yourself in the art, architecture, music, and festivals that Spain has to offer.

Personally, we recommend Barcelona, the second-largest city in Spain and one of the most well-liked and beautiful cities in all of Europe. Barcelona boasts beautiful architecture, delectable cuisine, a hot nightlife, and a warm, sunny environment. With its abundance of coworking spaces, beaches, and festivals, Barcelona is a popular destination for remote workers who wish to sample the Mediterranean way of life.

Barcelona offers a good quality of life at a modest cost of living when compared to other European cities. One-bedroom apartments cost about $1,200 per month in the city's heart or $800 outside of it. Without factoring in rent, the average monthly cost of living for a single individual in Barcelona is roughly $1,500.

4. Indonesia

Because of its low cost of living, quick and dependable internet access, high standard of living, diverse and multicultural society, and plenty of natural beauty, Indonesia is a fantastic location for remote workers. In Indonesia, you can find co-working spaces, cafes, and communities as well as reasonably priced and comfortable lodging. Additionally, you can savour Indonesia's delectable food, meditative culture, and breathtaking natural beauty. Indonesia is a nation that is stable and safe and that provides numerous advantages and chances for independent contractors.

The Indonesian island of Bali is well-known for its pristine landscapes, meditative culture, and diverse cuisine. Bali offers a tropical climate, beautiful beaches, and an abundance of wildlife. With its abundance of co-working spaces, cafes, and communities, Bali is a centre for remote workers who wish to take advantage of the idyllic island setting.

In comparison to other Indonesian cities, Bali boasts a lower cost of living and a higher standard of living. A one-bedroom apartment in the city's heart can be found for about $400 per month or $300 outside of it. Without rent in question, a single person in Bali may expect to spend roughly $800 per month on living expenses.

5. United States

The United States is a diverse place to work remotely if you love variety and opportunity. It has a high quality of life, a strong economy, a world-class education system, and a melting pot of cultures. You can choose from many cities with a vibrant tech scene, such as San Francisco, New York, Austin, and Seattle. You can also visit the iconic landmarks, national parks, museums, and entertainment venues that the United States has to offer.

Our personal recommendation would be the sunny city of Miami, Florida. It’s a thriving, multicultural city with many attractions and chances for remote workers. It offers a year-round warm and sunny environment, lovely beaches, a bustling nightlife, and a vibrant cultural scene. Miami is also the centre for innovation and entrepreneurship as well, home to numerous start-ups and tech firms.

When compared to other major US cities, Miami offers a low cost of living, particularly when it comes to housing. One-bedroom apartments cost about $1,800 per month in the city's heart or $1,200 outside of it. Without factoring in rent, the average monthly cost of living for a single individual in Miami is around $2,500.

6. Singapore

A small but mighty city-state, Singapore has a strong economy, high standards of living, and first-rate infrastructure. With a population that is diverse and multicultural, Singapore is one of the most contemporary and cosmopolitan cities in Asia. Singapore is a wonderful location for remote workers who want to travel around Southeast Asia because it is close to several of its neighbouring nations.

Compared to other Asian cities, Singapore has a higher cost of living, but it also provides high-quality services and amenities. A one-bedroom apartment in the city's core can be found for about $2,500 a month or $1,500 outside of it. Without factoring in rent, the average monthly cost of living in Singapore for a single individual is roughly $1,800.

7. Germany

Germany is a wonderful place for remote work since it has a low crime rate, a diverse and cosmopolitan culture, a fast and dependable internet connection, and a high quality of life. In Germany, you can find co-working spaces, events, and groups as well as reasonably priced and comfortable lodging. You can also savour Germany's extensive history, culture, and natural beauty. Germany is a strong and secure nation that provides numerous advantages and chances for remote employees

Germany's capital and largest city, Berlin, is also one of the most innovative and vibrant cities in the world. Berlin has a vibrant art and music scene in addition to a rich history and culture. With numerous co-working spaces and opportunities for networking for remote employees, Berlin is also a hub for entrepreneurs and innovation.

In comparison to other European capitals, Berlin has a modest cost of living and a high standard of living. One-bedroom apartments cost about $1,000 per month in the city's heart or $700 outside of it. Without factoring in rent, the average monthly cost of living in Berlin for a single individual is roughly $1,200.

Why Are These the Best Places to Work Remotely

Long-term Visa for Remote Workers

One of the challenges of working remotely is getting a visa that allows you to stay in a country for an extended period of time. Fortunately, some of the places we mentioned have introduced special visas for remote workers that let you live and work there legally for up to one year or more. For example:

Thailand has the SMART visa program that allows qualified professionals in certain fields to stay for up to four years.
Canada has the Global Skills Strategy program that allows skilled workers in certain occupations to get a work permit for up to two years.
Spain has a self-employed visa program that allows freelancers and entrepreneurs to stay for up to one year.
The United States has a B1/B2 visa program that allows business travellers and tourists to stay for up to six months.
Singapore has the EntrePass, which is a work pass for entrepreneurs that is valid for one year and can be renewed for up to three years.
Germany has a Freelance Visa program that allows people with a recognized qualification and business plan to stay up to three years and can be converted to a permanent residence permit.
Indonesia has the Business Visa option, which requires a sponsor in Indonesia and allows remote workers to stay up to 60 days per application.

Quality of Life

Another factor that makes these places ideal for remote work is the quality of life they offer. Quality of life is a subjective measure that depends on your personal preferences and needs.

However, some of the common indicators are:

Cost of Living: How affordable it is to live in a place based on expenses such as housing, food, transportation, health care, and entertainment.
Internet Speed: How fast and reliable it is to access the internet in a place based on factors such as bandwidth, latency, coverage, and price.
Safety: How secure it is to live in a place based on factors such as crime rate,political stability, natural disasters, and health risks.
Climate: How comfortable it is to live in a place based on factors such as temperature, humidity, precipitation, and air quality.
Culture: How enjoyable it is to live in a place based on factors such as language, religion, customs, and social norms.

Rich Culture

A third factor that makes these places attractive for remote work is the rich culture they have. Culture is an important aspect of living abroad because it influences your personal and professional growth, your happiness, and your sense of belonging.

Some of the benefits of experiencing a different culture are:

You will learn new skills and perspectives that can enhance your creativity and productivity.
You will broaden your horizons and appreciate the diversity and complexity of the world.
You will make new friends and connections that can enrich your life and career.
You will have fun and discover new things that can inspire you and spark your curiosity.

Tips for Working Remotely in These Places

Be Flexible

One of the keys to working remotely successfully is to be flexible. Flexibility means being able to adapt to different situations and challenges that may arise when you work from a different location.

Some of the ways to be flexible are:

Be open-minded and willing to learn from different cultures and people.
Be respectful and tolerant of different opinions and values.
Be proactive and resourceful in finding solutions and opportunities.
Be organized and disciplined in managing your time and tasks.

Cultural Sensitivity

Another tip for working remotely effectively is to be culturally sensitive. Cultural sensitivity means being aware of and respectful of the differences and similarities between your own culture and the culture of the place you are working from.

Some of the ways to be culturally sensitive are:

Do some research and learn about the history, geography, politics, economy, religion, and etiquette of the place you are working from.
Observe and listen to how people communicate, behave, and interact in the place you are working from.
Ask questions and seek feedback from locals or other remote workers who have experience in the place you are working from.
Avoid forming assumptions with preconceived stereotypes or biases.

Backup Power and Equipment

A final tip for working remotely efficiently is to have backup power and equipment. Backup power and equipment means having alternative sources of electricity and internet access in case of power outages or network failures.

Some of the ways to have backup power and equipment are:

Have a portable power bank or generator that can charge your devices or provide electricity for a short period of time.
Have a mobile hotspot or a SIM card that can provide internet access through cellular data or Wi-Fi networks.
Have a spare laptop or tablet that can store your files or run your applications in case your main device breaks down or gets lost.

Conclusion

Working remotely is a great way to enjoy more freedom, flexibility, and fun in your life and career. However, it also comes with some challenges and responsibilities that require careful planning and preparation. Through the information shared above, Aniday hopes you have a better understanding of seven of the best places to work remotely in 2023, as well as some tips on how to make the most of your remote work experience in these places. We hope this information will help you choose the best place for you and achieve your remote work goals. Happy travels!