MY TOP 5 DIGITAL NOMAD DESTINATIONS

[@lovechristinarose]

I have never heard Gran Canaria as a digital nomad space. But I would 100% absolutely love to live there! We went there for a vacation from Spain and it was an excellent time! 🙌🏻

[@marktkimball]

Thanks for the great, informative video! I love seeing the "normal", day-to-day shots around these places. I'm starting my travels in just over a month!

[@junglescout]

Awesome video ... we LOVE Chang MAI and CANGUU in Bali!

[@ipuluforu]

Great video.. I am in Chiang Mai right now. Last weekend I attended Digital Nomad Summit 2018. Awesome people from around the world attended this event. Entrepreneurs shared their experiences and challenges while running their start ups. They shared lot of useful information that would really help people who are actually planning for startups or working remotely. Most importantly I met awesome people in the event and yes my network has grown with these awesome digital nomads.

[@ChristheFreelancer]

I'm glad man :)

[@trevorsreviews]

My favorite city is Bangkok because I'm a skateboarder. It's so cheap and safe and chill, but so many skate spots here and the community is awesome. Cheers mate!

[@ChristheFreelancer]

Cheers Trevor!

[@walterwilliams2371]

Good insite Sir. I've got my sights on Playa del carmen for this year so this was definitley helpful. Keep up the good work.

[@LocationRebel]

I think you nailed these. Playa is personally my favorite town in Mexico, and the scene in Chiang Mai has been unbelievably steady for nomads for years. Haven't been to Las Palmas, but it's been popping up quite a bit lately - so interested in checking it out. The big one I would add is Saigon. The digital nomad scene there is one of the most active I've seen, and the cost of living is one of the lowest you'll find. Not my favorite city from a tourist perspective, but a great one to live in. Especially if you're looking to do it on the cheap, with a lot of other ex parts working online.

[@ChristheFreelancer]

haha thanks Sean. If you watch the next video, you'll hear my perspective on Saigon. Let's just say I'm not a fan.

[@LocationRebel]

Chris the Freelancer aaah interesting. Will go watch :)

[@MOTIVATIONBYDAR]

Didnt expect you to put Las Palmas on there but it goes to show you can always discover new places to be a digital nomad outside of the top two always mentioned: Chiang Mai and Bali. I personally love Mexico because i lived there six months and i love the people and the food but def Chiang Mai for the cost of living and quality is hard to beat.

[@jacksmithofficial5587]

Cool video thanks bud. Las Palmas definitely stands out to me for digital nomad life...

[@barneman3213]

chris I quit my bs job to become a developer man...I cant wait dude...I m buying your book!

[@nayemalaboni8318]

Have you become a developer

[@macaroon147]

How did it go?

[@debsmith7050]

Congrats on your book !!! You always provide very helpful information. Thanks :)

[@craigallday1236]

Wow.. this was great .. weirdly just planning my digital nomad life with Gran Canaria and Thailand being my to do places .

[@theawakened2245]

I agree with you on Chiang Mai is really a nice city and people are supper nice. I’m interested in Bali and was wondering if you would speak to cost of living there?

[@Auf_dem_Sonnendeck]

Chris, your book is a big help. Thanks. I bought at Amazon the kindle-version.

[@ChristheFreelancer]

I'm so glad! Would appreciate a review on Amazon as well if it's not too much trouble :)

[@Auf_dem_Sonnendeck]

Done. You are welcome.

[@S3aCa1mRa1n]

I don’t have many skills where could I go ?

[@mariaa5359]

Thank Chris! You've opened a new window for me. I will look for the Nomad sites when in Chiang Mai. Your videos are great!

[@anthonygore-au]

Maybe it's because I've been to some of the same places, but I think this is pretty spot on. Good to see Koh Lanta getting some love too, awesome place.

[@itsajaysharma]

Awesome stuff! I’m heading to Playa del carmen in March. For working online. I need some sunshine haha London is too cloudy. Thank you for your insights dude! I will grab a copy of your book aswell! Keep up the great work!

[@Irishesbox11]

AJ Sharma Have a look at other parts of Mexico AJ. There are some great towns in central Mexico and the Western Coast much better than Playa.

[@itsajaysharma]

Stephen McKenna thanks for the tips. I will indeed check out other parts of Mexico :). Atm Playa has many of my needs met. And also it’s so close to Cuba...(frequent traveler). I heard many awesome things about Mexico City tho!!

[@Irishesbox11]

AJ Sharma Ye Playa is very handy in regards to travel and flight deals. Have a great trip.

[@itsajaysharma]

Stephen McKenna thanks Stephen 😎🌍

[@Sean_Twomey]

Love your videos and great list of recommendations. I seem to be similar to you with regards to my favourite destinations, I just for some reason have not gotten into the whole co-working thing. Perhaps something to try more going forward. Good luck with your book, I'll make sure to check it out.

[@ChristheFreelancer]

Thanks Sean :)

[@levi_lcl]

The base in Chiang Mai going to Koh Lanta part of the year then vacation in Bali is a bit of a stereotype now, since its super common on that particular scene for Digital Nomads and before them expats keeping it on the down low for decades for family and personal vacations. Nice to see the add-ins for Mexico and Canary Islands, lets expand this scene!

[@ChristheFreelancer]

Yes! I'm down.

[@levi_lcl]

Chris the Freelancer try Montinita in Ecuador perhaps.

[@floopy312]

Bucaramanga, Colombia must be in the top 10. Well balanced and pleasent city, not too big not too small, very cheap rents, nice people, decent internet (with good latency to the US, around 50ms to Miami) and the temperature is just perfect all year. Also colombian food is pretty good too.

[@ChristheFreelancer]

Never been. Sounds nice though.

[@agod5608]

I like your concepts. I am subscribed. I may even become a customer one day. I like your term, "digital nomad". It is something I learned , long ago, and continuously tweak.

[@drmatthewhorkey]

Very cool, glad to have met you in Bali!

[@leetraviusmckay314]

The only downside to Thailand is visa runs

[@margaritachuvashova7884]

Plus time zone...

[@sashagray3476]

There's lots of downsides

[@WhiteZorin]

What does it mean exactly? I really don't know, just asking :) Like visa runs out and oyu have to leave?

[@killjoysmakesomenoiz9153]

@@WhiteZorin when your visa is about to run out, you leave the country to nearby countries and then come back right in ,in Thailand usually people will go to these borders : Cambodia, Laos ,Malaysia :)

[@BoBurson]

Great and helpful video. Thanks!

[@HappyCarlsonsTV]

*Nomad City* sounds so cool

[@ChristheFreelancer]

It was a lot of fun :)

[@michaelwinkler7841]

Where is the best spot on the world for digital nomad surfers?

[@MattUK36]

Very interesting video. I'll choose Las Palmas de Gran Canaria as my top one, anytime.

[@spacemultimedia2979]

If you live as a tourist but if you settle for real and setup a business with tax etc, then it's another story.

[@aniballopezgarcia1994]

@@spacemultimedia2979 settling for real in any destination is another story.

[@maxenceroy1863]

Cool to get your take on the top 5. Congrats for the book launch!

[@ChristheFreelancer]

Thanks Maxence!

[@xxxxx2084]

Come to Shanghai, not that cheap, but the business opportunity you can develop while working from here should increase the income levels. I realize it’s not your thing, but $50/h to teach English one on one, gives you a reference point.

[@NaderNadernejadOfficial]

I didn't know about Nomad List until watching your videos. Thanks for sharing the info! Do you recommend getting a membership there?

[@ChristheFreelancer]

Not sure mate. Literally just logged back in yesterday! When I joined it was $20 for a lifetime membership. I would have re-evaluate if I had to pay whatever it is they are charging now.

[@Ostricht199]

I found Bangkok to be awesome. It's only slightly more expensive than Chiang Mai, but it also feels metropolitan and like you're connected with the rest of the world, and offers you a diversity of activities, sights and experiences that Chiang Mai can't match (and that few cities in Asia can match). It's more stressful and congested but some parts of the city are quieter than others. It also has great flight connections to all of Asia and to the West as well. Chiang Mai is still a great place, and in my opinion it's at the upper limit of what a city of its size can offer in terms of opportunities and activities.

[@bodhisatyachakraborti8673]

How's Mauritius as a destination, for DNs? Is it worth considering?

[@thomasfontaine3002]

Good video

[@fergaldownes]

Great channel Chris. I have been a DM in Asia and North America and you look very familiar. I think we may have met in Asia. After watching your videos on Lisbon I have now decided to spend the next Irish winter there and possibly make it a second home for me. Cheers

[@ChristheFreelancer]

Never been to Lisbon bud

[@fergaldownes]

Oh.. LOL.. Must have been thinking about another video. My bad..

[@sabriritonga8734]

hi @chris thanks to chose bali as your choice number 2 on your top list

[@karzimegmusic8437]

where is Georgia?

[@huntrrams]

Other great places is Philippines and Portugal

[@whiteboymax250]

moviemagic Philippines has the WORST reliability of WiFi. Terrible recommendation

[@katie.maree8]

Thank you for the opinions! All 5 are noted for my 2018.

[@leonardtangty]

Do you apply for a business visa when you are working as a digital nomad?

[@RunTheAtlas]

Which camera/ settings did you use? It's so clear!

[@ChristheFreelancer]

You joking, right? The camera goes in and out of focus a lot in this video (my bad!). I use a Canon G7X usually. Link in the description if you'd like to support the channel.

[@brucedevenow4469]

I notice that you are wearing a wireless mike. Can you share what audio capture you are using since I don't think G7X mark II supports wireless microphones. Thanks.

[@GutFeelings]

Sweet, Chris! Love this! I am a digital nomad living in Panamá (Boquete). We have an entrepreneur house here with online digital nomads. If you're ever around, let me know! :-)

[@favieacademy]

Cool, congrats on your new book, bought it. 😀

[@ChristheFreelancer]

Thanks Fabienne :)

[@fruityeva]

For Europeans Las Palmas is great because you don't have to care about visa and the coimate is great. Not humid at all.😊🌞

[@HappyCarlsonsTV]

El Fogon in Playa is awesomeness

[@ChristheFreelancer]

oh man. How I miss that place!

[@phoenixnmhesq]

I like Don Sirloin

[@jkp17]

Just got back from Playa, 2nd time at El Fogon.........I dream of their combo plates....... !!!!

[@WorldlyNomadic]

12,000 baht is now $400 usd so the price inflation has increased a bit. But still the best value I’ve found in the world. For 300usd per month you can get a great condo. AMAZING healthy food for low prices. And something that so much of the world is missing, a truly caring and connected community of digital nomads that will become your best friends for life!

[@claudiocamacho9816]

Madeira island, best of the best.

[@sanatkumara5546]

wow that is your first choice, how about Bali, Indonesia

[@TripperTours]

Whats with the 'co working' space! The whole point of quitting the office lifestyle is to be free....not go and congregate in another space! Not to mention co working spaces should NOT be what makes a top destination for digital nomads! Should change the title to top 5 co working spaces (if you like that!)

[@ChristheFreelancer]

I'm curious, in your opinion, what "makes a top destination for digital nomads"?

[@TripperTours]

@@ChristheFreelancer Hi Chris, i would say cost of living, internet, weather, nightlife, safety and cheap accessible health service.

[@ChristheFreelancer]

Ads One fair enough :) those things are good too!

[@franciscofuentes8916]

The thing is you'd probably wanna be in an environment where there are other nomads and make some synergy with them. Of course I get most people (even myself) work on our own and we're not really used to working with other people but I can understand the point of a nomad environment. Where I live currently there's no scene and even when you rent a place it's like: Are you gonna stay at home working? Really?

[@TripperTours]

@@franciscofuentes8916 I rotate between working at home and trying out different coffee shops and if you wanted could also occasionally use a shared working space...but to me to spending all your time in a co-working space (lie back in an office again) defeats the whole purpose

[@DigitalNomadInvestor]

Doing it in Thailand!

[@activateurthyroid]

hey chris , as for costs of living , beuty , things to do , puebla Mexico could be one of the best. u can find perfect weather year round, super cheap appartments. super cheap costs of living and high quality of life., also the hippie town of cholula is nearby, you should definitively try it out

[@cthoadmin7458]

Looks like Brisbane behind you.

[@b617_3]

Also I heard peirera colombia is very decent for digital nomads. Have you ever been/heard of peirera?

[@carlosmunoz733]

b617 _ I have a lot of friends from there but I didn’t even know that it was a good place for digital nomad

[@yoavoz6585]

Amazing.

[@aijax3609]

Where’d you get your sweater? Is it made of real hair?

[@solarplexus4003]

Is Australia expensive? I'm european.

[@petertothtoma]

Yap, citizens of the EU can travel and have a job freely inside the EU. Nice vid, some world map would be useful next time:)

[@philippinesfunwithjlb7193]

Boracay in the Philippines is really really cool but good vid..

[@paranoya733]

Good for holiday, but lack of infrastructure for Digital Nomad

[@thomassampson1807]

chiang mai, bali, gran canaria, playa del carmen? the most obvious places ever haha!

[@tiffanyjoseph1555]

None of the Eastern European cities made the cut? What could have made those destinations better, in your opinion?

[@ChristheFreelancer]

Good question Tiff. I suppose that the cities in Eastern Europe weren't all that exotic and interesting to me as a westerner. I had the feeling when I was there that if I wanted this kind of lifestyle, why wouldn't I just stay home? There was also much less of a digital nomad scene there than I would have hoped.

[@__5036]

Hey Chris, what laptop stand are you using?

[@ChristheFreelancer]

The Roost Stand

[@bobbrown9079]

Just a word to people from other continents who may not be aware => I have no doubt that Chris is right about Playa Del Carmen. I appreciate his information. I have not been to that specific location, hoping to go there sometime. However, nearly all of Mexico is a third world country with all the accompanying problems. Many parts of Mexico are extremely dangerous for tourists so do extensive research before you venture around. Thanks

[@PlushPassion]

Luv ur channel!!

[@spicykimchi1]

Thanks for making this video. I've been teaching English in China for a while, and it's about time for me to leave. This seems like the next logical step. But the coworking space doesn't seem convenient. Meeting people? Sure, but it seems distracting. To me, one of the most important things to look for in a country is visa stay - how often would I have to do visa runs, how cheap, etc? But since we're all from different countries, I can understand why you didn't cover it.

[@ChristheFreelancer]

True but if visas are your biggest concern, why not just stay in your home country where you don't need to border runs at all?

[@spicykimchi1]

Chris the Freelancer I don't mind visa runs, if they're not too costly and too frequent.

[@ThaiTastic]

great info thanks

[@SportsIncorporated]

Chiang Mai sounds like a great place if your doing most of your work solo.

[@Notpastourprime]

Chris do you know what the legal situation is re digital nomad in Australia if on a normal holiday visa as a british person or would you have to be a resident to technically work as a digital nomad , its so strict in Australia re work visas but love it there, don't suppose you can shed any light on it, think at the moment may be a bit if a grey area, thanks

[@ChristheFreelancer]

That's right. It's a complete grey area. Even lawyers probably couldn't answer this question.

[@dream.lifestyle]

How about Malaysia

[@chewie5870]

my boi do u have a list of the next destinations u are heading in 2018

[@ChristheFreelancer]

Nup. Open to suggestions though. Up to date travel plans (as always) are on nomadlist.com/chrisrdodd

[@IsaacMedrano]

Amazing! I'll be picking up your book as I head back to the California post my month in Chiang Mai. Thank you for sharing how you've designed your Digital Nomad lifestyle.

[@Toto-nv3ox]

Hello Chris, thx for the content. I have a question. As a disabled person with wheelchair is it possible to move in Chiang Mai ???

[@ChristheFreelancer]

hmm, accessibility isn't as common as in the west but people have done it. Check out this interview on Riley's channel: kzbin.info/www/bejne/e3K5eqCIjsd_oLM

[@shanhickson1379]

Great video! I think I’m going to start with Chiang Mai

[@ChristheFreelancer]

Good choice ;)

[@carltonesmith5015]

It’s amazing ... I also recommend visiting Pai in Thailand while you’re that far north. A three-hour van ride through the mountains or a gorgeous 30-minute flight. I took the plane 🛫 It’s kind of a mini-Chiang Mai ... more chilled-out but still with a lot of conveniences ☺️👍🏾

[@Metruzanca]

Where are you in this video, that background looks really nice.

[@ChristheFreelancer]

Broadbeach Waters, QLD, Australia

[@rebeccalacroix6276]

do they have booths in the co workins paces in Bali? I teach online so need a private space

[@ChristheFreelancer]

Yeah but you have to book and pay for them. If that's important to you, check out Biliq in Seminyak. Their booths are brand new and free right now.

[@lunacollacchi8798]

can I ask a question? How do you do with visas?

[@ChristheFreelancer]

Tourist Visas

[@robbyvoseta1374]

Thailand and Bali are not cheap unless you don't mind eating the local food which is basically sea food or dog meat (sad but especially in the case of Bali aka the dog meat true).

[@RealSpaceHobo]

Imagine if Chiang Mai had a beach......something for developers to ponder about - shame about Las Palma prices......sort of a deal breaker, if u ask me....:-).....Playa Del Carmen was an eye-opener......:-)

[@ChristheFreelancer]

Yeah man. Still baffles me that no one has caught on to Mexico. Lot of potential in that country.

[@GhostyGhost7007]

Chris the Freelancer Its too dangerous. I think I heard that the US recently stopped flights to Playa del Carmen because like 21 tourists were murdered. It's a beautiful country but the cartel controls it in the background.

[@Big_E_247]

Is there a lot of pollution in Chiang Mai?

[@ChristheFreelancer]

There's actually a period called burning season where pollution gets quite bad but other than that, the air is quite alright.

[@PureAlbania]

What the name of your macbook stand?

[@ChristheFreelancer]

It's called the Roost Stand amzn.to/2bxJ6UB

[@dietz3099]

What did you think about playa del carmín

[@ChristheFreelancer]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/i4KxeGqArqiKf7c

[@leetraviusmckay314]

How about Saigon?

[@ChristheFreelancer]

I talk about Saigon in the follow-up video to this one

[@leetraviusmckay314]

@@ChristheFreelancer what were the pros and cons of living there?

[@geraltofrivia9922]

Saigon blows

[@eliem9900]

TOP 3 : Chiang Mai Penang Bali

[@ChristheFreelancer]

Penang... Interesting!

[@fabriziobertoglio7342]

Once i have easier time I all buy y book. Now I have too much work/study

[@_jamesbradley__]

Excellent list. Very well produced vids! 👍🏻Thank you. (I’ve been to 54 myself)

[@brownieiverson2585]

How do you feel about Colombia 🇨🇴 Medellin or Bogota?

[@ChristheFreelancer]

Haven't been to Bogota but Medellin, as I mention in my book is great for single guys. For me, I don't date or go out much so it didn't make it into my top 5. Still a great location for digital nomads.

[@elmostong1865]

I live right outside of Medellin(30 miles) Greatest decision I've ever made

[@o.sfreelancerviagenseturismo]

my dreams is travel to BALI

[@ChristheFreelancer]

It's a great place!

[@zaffiro121]

Work?

[@musavillarin6102]

Hello Chris you been to Alicante???? It is safe Playa?

[@ChristheFreelancer]

Haven't been to mainland Spain but I felt that Playa del Carmen felt safe.

[@musavillarin6102]

Chris, is any easy to stay in playa long time as a digital nomad or is like Thailand?

[@ChristheFreelancer]

Easier. Mexico you can stay for up to 6 months as an Aussie, American, English, etc

[@Hazgar64]

its mind blowing how expensive other country are compare to this .

[@imax2000]

When are you coming back to Morocco?

[@ChristheFreelancer]

No plans as of yet to return.

[@308KingsRoad]

♨️Great video so clear and precise, my personal favorite is Chiang mai as well. It's my goal to make a life unlike any other and Chiang has given that to me. Solo nomadic lifestyle🍈

[@oscarogbakpan9828]

really i did love to visit soon

[@eksbalz1991]

Come to Malaysia and try review digital nomad here

[@ChristheFreelancer]

Been to Penang, Melaka and Kuala Lumpur so far :)

[@johns4651]

If you are a reasonably successful nomad entrepreneur I have a better list for you: 1. Maui Island (Hawaii) 2. Kauai Island (Hawaii) 3. Okinawa (Japan) 4. Japan mainland

[@skillfuldabest]

What about Busan, South Korea or Taipei, Taiwan?

[@gwho]

Why is everything so focused around public spaces? I thought the book was supposed to be as objective as possible but you're facing everything on the backdrop of your preference for coworking spaces

[@barnabyjara4751]

Chang Mai is not a country. Could you mention at least once what country are you talking about?

[@LastKnownLocations]

I can see Brisvegas in the background!

[@ChristheFreelancer]

Sorry buddy. That's the GC skyline. Not Brisbane ;)

[@LastKnownLocations]

Chris the Freelancer damn! It's the GC. 😂 The infamous Surfers Paradise. Ready for Commonwealth Games I guess.

[@IlirMcNamara]

More like broadbeach waters

[@Batteristafoto]

I got news for you. I am in Bali right now. Digital nomads are considered vagrants. I suggest caution in any countries.

[@rentinnice5021]

And where is Chiang maj.?

[@ChristheFreelancer]

Northern Thailand

[@alienmatrix7402]

Who else watching this during Covid 😭

[@dccoulthard]

So, this is just for beach bums?

[@ChristheFreelancer]

This was my personal top 5.