A List of the Best Cheap Cities in Europe for Digital Nomads

What I consider before deciding on a European city to visit as a digital nomad

Before booking a new destination as a digital nomad, I take into account a few factors as a remote worker. These factors can vary depending on the person and the job.

General cost of living
Alternative work spaces
A Goldilocks level of activities in the area
A healthy atmosphere
Transportation costs and accessibility

1. General cost of living

Will it be necessary for me to live 45 minutes away from the city center in order to afford a visit? Do individuals frequently express dissatisfaction regarding the high cost of groceries?

In order to gather information about the European cities I plan to visit, I conduct initial research by exploring various sources. This includes examining accommodation prices on Airbnb and actively participating in forums such as NomadList to gain insight on living experiences.

2. Alternative work spaces

I generally choose to stay in sunny Airbnbs for the purpose of having a calm and organized workspace, as well as a dependable kitchen to save money on meals. However, problems can occur regardless of the location.

WiFi may unexpectedly experience drops, possibly due to construction occurring on the neighboring building, or in the worst case scenario, your motivation could inexplicably disappear.

In times like this, it is crucial for me to have choices regarding work locations. Therefore, prior to making travel arrangements and organizing a trip, I thoroughly investigate whether the area offers co-working spaces, a lively café culture, or coffee shops suitable for work purposes.

3. A Goldilocks level of activities in the area

Allow me to clarify. There exist certain places where you can reside and never fully experience everything they offer. These destinations are too vast for the majority of digital nomads.

When you consider each step, you’ll realize that there is an overwhelming amount of things to do and see, which will divert your attention. Additionally, you’ll experience a sense of remorse for dedicating your day indoors for work instead of exploring, given the abundance of opportunities available.

There exist other destinations where there is hardly anything to do or see. These places may be suitable for a brief stay or a relaxing beach getaway, but they lack enough attractions to prevent boredom. It is possible to feel isolated or unenthusiastic about staying there due to being the only one engaged in work or the sole traveler passing through.

The digital nomad requires a balance of activities that are neither too much nor too little in order to be satisfied.

With just a few hours of daily exploration and a suitable level of lively activity, you won’t feel alone in spending the day working. Additionally, cities of this size often have vibrant expat communities, which can be discovered through platforms like Meetup or Couchsurfing, where you can find like-minded locals who are enthusiastic about travel.

4. A healthy atmosphere

As a digital nomad, constantly traveling the world and living out of a suitcase, it is essential to acquire the skill of maintaining good health even in a constantly changing environment.

When I travel, I enjoy connecting with nature, therefore, I actively seek out destinations that offer ample green spaces and clearly marked hiking trails. Similarly, I have come across fellow digital nomads who prioritize finding yoga studios with monthly memberships or convenient, drop-in gyms.

When I take my health into account, I also consider the weather forecasts. I am aware that if there is rain or cold weather, I will be less inclined to engage in physical activity, therefore I frequently select places with mild climates.

5. Transportation costs and accessibility

Even the most organized traveler can be caught off guard by transportation expenses, but it is also one of the categories that can significantly exceed a digital nomad’s budget.

When I’m choosing destinations, I consistently consider walkability. Is it possible for me to feel secure while walking back home from work in this area? Is the route aesthetically pleasing and motivating, or monotonous and uninteresting? In the event that a destination lacks walkability, is public transportation easily accessible and reliable for individuals traveling alone?

Taking into consideration the cost of transportation to the desired location, I also assess the availability of economical flights or buses linking my destinations. It is important to remember to include both time and expenses for commuting to and from the airport.

After identifying certain factors that are important to digital nomads looking for the top European cities to explore, let’s now dive into this comprehensive list of the best European cities for digital nomads.

Best European cities for digital nomads

Romania

In terms of inexpensive cities in Europe, Bucharest is our top choice due to our direct experience. We resided and worked remotely in Romania’s capital for three months, thereby attaining firsthand knowledge of its ease, pleasure, and affordability to live in.

Romania has some of the fastest internet speeds in the world, making it a country with fast internet speeds. Additionally, the country has a great culture, cost-effective entertainment options, and efficient public transportation.

Romania is not within the Schengen Zone.

Grocery prices in Romania are 57% less expensive in comparison to Canada and 59% less expensive in comparison to the U.S.A.

It is quite astonishing that Romania possesses nine out of the world’s top 15 cities with the fastest broadband internet.

Cluj

According to nomads on Nomad List, the internet is regarded as excellent, reaching a speed of 30 MBPS.

Safety levels in this area are characterized by a low rate of crime.

Short-term rentals of furnished apartments can be as cheap as $400 -$600 USD per month for a three bedroom apartment. On average, furnished Airbnb sublets offer monthly rentals of the entire place for $1200 a month. Nevertheless, the prices for “entire place” rentals with positive ratings can vary greatly depending on the time of year you plan to book.

The average monthly living costs have been determined to be $1550 using the cost of living estimator tool. Additionally, when considering Airbnb costs and information from Expatistan, the average monthly living costs amount to $2000 USD.

Bucharest

During our three-month stay in Bucharest, we were highly impressed by its exceptional urban parks, wide array of excellent dining establishments, and remarkably fast internet speeds. As visitors, we felt genuinely accepted and discovered that Bucharest was a city where children could freely enjoy their childhood. Our son Mak could run, play, and express himself loudly in public areas without any hesitation, and his youthful demeanor was consistently met with warm smiles and kindness.

According to nomads on Nomad List, the internet is incredible when it reaches 70 MBPS.

Bucharest is considered safe due to its low crime rate. Incidents of violent crime in the city are extremely rare, giving us a strong sense of safety even when walking around during nighttime.

Rent for short-term and furnished apartments can start as low as $470 to $750 USD per month. Monthly rentals through Airbnb Sublets have an average cost of $1200. In Bucharest, there are more than 15000 entire place rentals available, offering a wide range of choices below the average price. During our stay in the city, we opted for three different Airbnb apartments, resulting in an average monthly cost of $550 USD.

After considering our personal experience, the average monthly living costs are estimated to be between $1400 (low end) and $2200 (including Airbnb expenses and data from Expatistan).

Timisoara

Timisoara is renowned for its ideal blend of traditional and contemporary culture. The city’s extensive and captivating past has resulted in its most remarkable feature, the intricate cultural mosaic that presently thrives there. It is among Romania’s larger urban areas, yet not to the extent that navigation becomes challenging. Timisoara is highly pedestrian-friendly, while also providing a reliable public transportation system, as well as affordable taxi services for getting around town. Digital nomads can expect a diverse culture, notably stunning architecture, and all the necessary amenities found in any modern metropolis while in Timisoara.

The Internet is regarded as very good, achieving a speed of 25 MBPS according to nomads on Nomad List.

Safety is characterized by an extremely low crime rate.

In Timisoara, you can find short-term and furnished apartments for rent at prices ranging from $350 to $560 per month. For monthly rentals through Airbnb Sublets, the average cost is $1000 per month in USD. It should be noted that costs and availability with Airbnb are greatly influenced by the time of year. Therefore, booking longer term stays during the shoulder seasons or off-season can result in significant savings.

After utilizing the cost of living estimator tool, we determined that the average monthly living costs are $1200, while considering Airbnb expenses and information obtained from Expatistan, the costs amount to $2000 per month in US dollars.

Serbia

After hearing about Serbia from Talon and Tigger Windwalker at 1Dad 1Kid.com, we became interested in the country and started paying attention to it in the early part of last year.

According to Lonely Planet, all the things you’ve never heard about Serbia are indeed accurate. Our interest was immediately piqued when they depicted Serbia’s enthusiastic hospitality, and after hearing about our friend’s personal encounter, visiting the country promptly became a top priority for us.

Both Belgrade and Niš possess international airports, whereas Novi Sad does not have one. The closest airport to Novi Sad is Belgrade’s Nikola Tesla International Airport. Accessing it may be slightly more challenging due to the available options of a bus service (inexpensive at $5-$10) or a taxi service (priced at $75-$90), but it is not excessively difficult.

Serbia does not belong to the Schengen area.

In comparison to Canada, grocery prices in Serbia are 61% more affordable, and when compared to the U.S.A, they are 63% less costly.

Novi Sad

We are motivated to spend time in Novi Sad because of its affordable living costs and the lively culture that we have heard a lot about. According to some, the city and its surroundings have an abundance of offerings that surpass any other place in Serbia. Novi Sad is located at a significant intersection in European history, resulting in historical and cultural landmarks that even bigger cities in the country struggle to compete with.

According to nomads on Nomad List, the internet is highly efficient at a speed of 20 MBPS.

The safety level in Novi Sad is considered moderate due to its rising crime rates over the past three years. When determining if a city is safe to visit, we assess the likelihood of theft, mugging, and violent crimes. According to Numbeo’s Crime Index, Novi Sad has a low chance of experiencing these types of incidents.

Rentals for short-term and furnished apartments can start as low as $250-400 USD per month. In Novi Sad, monthly rentals through Airbnb Sublets have an average cost of $853 per month. Nevertheless, there are still numerous excellent entire place rentals available for less than $650 per month.

The average monthly living costs range from $1300 (as calculated using the cost of living estimator tool) to $1800 per month (which includes Airbnb expenses and data from Expatistan).

Poland

We have recently begun to examine Poland more closely. It is not possible to condense the extensive list of reasons to spend time in this historical country into a few sentences. The remarkable architecture, humbling monuments, and delectable cuisine are some evident reasons. However, Poland’s extensive historical background dates back a thousand years. It can be said that there are plenty of things to discover that would keep someone occupied for their entire life. Poland is a valuable cultural heritage and fortunately, it is home to some of Europe’s most budget-friendly cities for digital nomads.

Poland belongs to the Schengen Zone.

The cost of groceries in Poland is 53% lower compared to Canada and 55% lower than grocery prices in the U.S.A.

Gdansk

Gdansk, which is one of Poland’s oldest cities, is located on the edge of the Baltic Sea and is part of the Tri-City metropolitan area along with Gdynia and Sopot. This city offers a perfect combination of cobbled streets, exquisite architecture, a rich history that is evident everywhere, and beautiful beaches. Additionally, Gdansk provides access to thirty kilometers of well-maintained beachfront, making it an ideal destination for digital nomads. With its affordability, excellent public transport, and friendly attitude towards foreigners, Gdansk is an excellent place for digital nomads to reside temporarily.

The internet is highly efficient, with a speed of 20 MBPS, as reported by nomads on Nomad List.

Ensuring safety involves addressing low crime levels.

Short-term and furnished apartments rent for $600-800 USD per month. During the peak season, Airbnb sublets can be as high as $1800 per month, but if you schedule your stay during the shoulder and off-seasons, prices significantly decrease.

Our result from using the cost of living estimator tool suggests that the average monthly living costs are at a low rate of $1800. However, when considering the expenses from both Airbnb accommodations and information obtained from Expatistan, the average monthly living costs increase to $2500.