The dream of every digital nomad is to work from anywhere, experience new cultures and avoid the conventional work environment. Nowadays, it is easier than ever to make this dream come true with smart cities. However, to achieve this dream, there is a compromising part, which involves identifying a smart city that has a superior digital infrastructure and a living style that matches budgetary plans.
In the case of a typical modern remote employee, the availability and ease of internet connection, as well as affordable open coworking cabins and a tech-friendly atmosphere are vital good living conditions.
The Pillars of a Smart City for Digital Nomads
Before delving into some specific smart cities, here is what makes a city truly smart to a digital nomad. It is not just all about the latest technology, it is more about how that technology enhances better living and workability. Here are the pillars of a smart city:
1. Digital Infrastructure: The Heartbeat of Remote Work
The most fundamental aspect of the lives of any digital nomad is the availability of stable digital infrastructure. It is more than the speed of the internet. It includes:
- Broadband and Mobile Connectivity: Reliable, fast internet is essential when video calling, sharing huge files, and working in the cloud. Good connectivity to the mobile network, with 5G where possible, is a great strength.
- Coworking Spaces: A vibrant community of coworking spaces not only provides internet, but also a sense of community, a chance at networking and also a place to get some quality work done outside home.
- Tech Ecosystem: A thriving startup culture, tech conferences, and an overall acceptance of technological innovation can form an exciting atmosphere and the possibility of partnership.
- Digital Government Services: An online simplification of the visa, tax, and local administration processes greatly reduces the bureaucratic component of residing in a foreign country.
2. Stretching Your Remote Income Cost of Living
Although superior connectivity is the most critical factor, it must be cost-effective for your budget. The living standards are quite different in different cities and it can greatly affect living standards. Among the main factors to be taken into account are:
- Housing: The highest cost and the overall affordability of apartments of different types.
- Transportation: Access to effective and affordable public transport system is very important, and ride-haring services should be available.
- Food and Groceries: Costs of food and groceries both at home and in restaurants are significant factors in determining affordability.
- Utilities and Miscellaneous: Under this section, we have internet, electricity, water and other necessities of the day to day life.
Comparative Analysis: Tallinn, Bangkok and Barcelona
Here we are going to compare three different cities that attract digital nomads for different reasons.
1. Tallinn, Estonia: The Digital Pioneer
Estonia has developed a reputation as a world centre of digital innovation with Tallinn, its capital, taking a lead in this area. Estonia’s e-Residency program was an innovative project which brought distant entrepreneurs and demonstrated the country’s focus on a digitally-oriented society.
Tallinn Connectivity
Tallinn is blessed with high-level digital infrastructure. The speed of the internet is high and mobile networks are quite extensive and stable. Free Wi-Fi has become common in street areas, cafes and even in the means of transport.
The national data exchange platform, known as the X-Road, and the blockchain-verified patient records are examples of the high level of digital governance in the country. Such a high level of digital integration is why administrative activities prove to be remarkably easy even among the residents, including digital nomads.
Living in Tallinn
The cost of living in Tallinn is extremely affordable compared to a good number of large cities in Western Europe, especially capitals.
- Housing: Is relatively low priced and depends on location and size, but is very inexpensive outside of the inner-city.
- Transport: The system of transport is well-developed and affordable, so it is not a problem to move through the city without your car.
- Food: The cost of food, be it grocery or restaurants, is also quite reasonable adding to a decent overall price-point to the otherwise European location lacking the significant cost-base of other locations. However, the digital nomad visa in Estonia requires an applicant to prove that he or she has a significant monthly income.
2. Bangkok, Thailand: the Southeast Asian Hub
Bangkok comes as a complete contrast to Tallinn and presents a busy, energetic urban life at a much cheaper cost of living. It has been an attraction to digital nomads who are attracted to its exotic culture, good food, and cheap way of living.
Bangkok Connectivity
Many Bangkok areas have a good digital infrastructure, especially the city centre. High-speed internet is readily accessible and is usually very cheap. Mobile data is also easily available and affordable. There are plenty of coworking spaces, and most of them are well-equipped, which is especially relevant to digital nomads.
Living in Bangkok
- Housing: The housing facilities are affordable and stretch between the basic and luxurious and even the modern city apartments are quite accessible. The price might even be cheaper outside the city. Most of the condos have facilities such as pools and gyms.
- Transport: The city has an efficient and very cheap system of public transport, such as the BTS Skytrain, MRT subway and a vast network of buses. Taxis and ride-sharing apps such as Grab are also very popular and are quite affordable, costing 50 to 150 USD per month.
- Food: Food is a big attraction, with street food being utterly cheap value, and even the mid-range restaurants being a lot cheaper than in Western cities. On the whole, a decent life in Bangkok is possible even with a relatively low budget. The Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) of Thailand demands that the applicant prove to have a certain amount of savings or income.
3. Barcelona, Spain: The European Lifestyle center
Barcelona is a beautiful city with a diverse culture, beautiful architecture, and a Mediterranean climate with modern facilities. Spain has recently created its digital nomad visa as well, making it a more and more popular destination among remote workers who want to find a European home.
Barcelona Connectivity
Barcelona is home to an excellent digital infrastructure, which meets the Spanish standards in general. Fiber optic internet is fast and reliable and mobile networks are strong. Coworking space is pretty good in the city but might be more expensive, in comparison to Southeast Asia. Digital health projects in Catalonia mean that the region is investing in the technological application of the public sector, however not to the same extent as Estonia.
Barcelona Cost of Living
- Housing: It is pricier compared to Bangkok and Tallinn, but at the same time, it is a competitive cost of living in a major city in Western Europe, particularly when compared to London or Paris. The cost of housing is also high, and the central areas are much more expensive, although less expensive ones can be found in the outer areas. Rent is a huge cost. The price of the one-bedroom apartment in the city center may range between 950 and 1500 euros per month, whereas outside the center the average cost is 800 to 1200 euros.
- Transport: The city of Barcelona has a very good and well-developed system of public transport which is relatively cheap (metro, buses, and trams). There are also taxis that are quite easily accessible but at higher rates compared to Bangkok.
- Food: Groceries are not very expensive, and there are lots of chances to get cheap local meals, and there are numerous cheap restaurants around (tapas bars, daily menus).
Making Your Informed Decision
There is no right or wrong answer as to which smart city to choose between Tallinn, Bangkok, Barcelona, and so on because it all comes down to personal preferences and budgetary convenience.
Tallinn is a good choice in case you want a cost-effective location in a digitally advanced and efficient European environment. Its smooth e-services and comparatively affordable European prices make it a special offer to digital nomads who appreciate easy-to-use administration and high quality of life.
In case you are more into a very low cost of living, a lively and exotic cultural experience, and a close community of other nomads, Bangkok is probably your best bet. It is very cheap to live in.
To anyone who wants to live a rich European life, enjoys a nice climate, and a city that has a perfect mix of history and modernity but is okay with spending more on living expenses, Barcelona is the perfect experience. The new digital nomad visa eases the process of long-term stays, which is why it may be of interest to those who dream of a long-term stay in Spanish culture.
Conclusion
The life of a digital nomad is the life of constant exploration, and picking the right city is a critical move. Being particularly conscientious of the interaction of the cost of living in general and the quality of the digital infrastructure of a particular city, you will be able to choose a place that will not only facilitate your professional activities working remotely but also allow you to expand your life experience.
