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Europe is every digital nomad's favorite playground: nowhere in the world will they find that country-hopping is as hassle-free as in the Old Continent, where borders are essentially a non-existing concept, and the wide availability of trains and low-cost flights make it incredibly easy to travel.
The only downside to Europe, however, is how expensive it can be, particularly if you're a budget-conscious nomad who's looking to settle temporarily somewhere affordable and cool enough: though they may be inherently fascinating, many European countries are becoming unliveable.
Be it soaring rates of overtourism, the strength of the euro against the dollar, or the surging inflation, which is giving locals themselves plenty of reasons to complain, options keep dwindling, so where exactly can remote workers relocate that will not break the bank?
Here are our top five picks for European spots where it costs less than $2,000 per month to live:
Rijeka, Croatia
The third-largest urban center in Croatia, Rijeka is a surprisingly multicultural city and seaport famous for its diverse demographic and numerous cultural attractions.
Rooted in both the Croatian and Italian worlds, it is a melting pot of neighboring cultures.
Due to its proximity to Italy, more specifically Venice, which sits just across the Adriatic inlet, the city has its own unique dialect of the endangered Venetian language (Fiumian), spoken mainly among ethnic Italians living locally, as well as Chakavian, a regional dialect of Croatian.
Among the most famous landmarks, the Croatian National Theatre Ivan pl. Zajc stands out, an 18th-century effort by renowned Austrian architects Fellner & Hellner and a Venetian-inspired Old Town dominated by the medieval Church of the Assumption.
For digital nomads, Rijeka is one of the top destinations in Croatia, as it costs only $1,677 per month to live and work remotely there, as per data gathered by Nomad List, not to mention the good air quality, proximity to the seaside, and internet speed (22 mbps on average).
Gran Canaria, Spain
The main island in Spain's autonomous Canaries archipelago, Gran Canaria is a tried-and-true winter sun hotspot, offering warm temperatures year-round, white sand beaches, nature reserves, and vibrant city breaks, most notably Las Palmas.
On the digital nomad side, it's risen to prominence as a result of its high quality of life, easy access to nature, relaxed atmosphere, and most importantly, the lower cost of living compared to other destinations in mainland Spain.
It would naturally depend on where you are based, as prices can be higher in Las Palmas, the regional capital, than the rural, mountainous inland, but it costs on average a mere $1,974 to reside in Gran Canaria monthly.
Some of the aspects nomads love the most about Gran Canaria are the sunny, temperate climate, owing it to the geographical proximity to the African continent, the fact that English is widely spoken, especially among young people in larger cities, and the cheaper prices for food.
Antalya, Turkiye
Dubbed the Queen of the Eastern Mediterranean, Antalya is a gorgeous resort city in Turkiye with millennia upon millennia of accumulated History and a unique mixture of Old World charm and modern seaside developments to call its own.
The Old Town part, locally known as Kaleici, is a maze-like cobbled zone lined by traditional shops and restaurants, guarded by a 2,000-year-old Roman city gate, and it's easily Antalya's most picturesque and culturally significant district.
In Konyaalti, however, the ancient cityscape gives way to clusters of skyscrapers and residential buildings distributed along a sand-and-gravel beach strip, bounded by waters of the shiniest blue, within walking distance of Westernized eateries and leisure and shopping complexes.
Antalya is old and historical, but it is also cool and trendy, and its low cost of living – Nomad List estimates it is possible to reside here on $1,235 per month – make it a highly sought-after destination for remote workers from both Europe and the U.S.
Now that Turkiye has lifted visa requirements for Americans, Antalya has become even more attractive to the average U.S. visitor.
Split, Croatia
The second Croatian entry on this list, Split is a unique city in the sense that it originally developed around the abandoned ruins of a Roman palace built for an emperor. This means much of the so-called Old Town is still found within the remaining walls of this ancient structure.
It is made up of a series of winding alleys leading to hidden patios and family-owned bakeries, yet outside the Diocletian fortress, visitors will find a palm-flanked marina interspersed with luxurious hotels, nightclubs, and charming oceanfront cafes.
Much like Antalya in Turkiye, Split has stolen our hearts with its combination of European ‘old' and 21st-century coastal getaway: seeing centuries-old monuments coexisting harmoniously with — is no strange sight here.
Then, there is Split's affordability: based on 726 impressions by members of Nomad List‘s online community, nomads can expect to pay around $1,998 per month living among locals in Croatia's second city.
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This article originally appeared on TravelOffPath.com
Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, hotel, airline, or other entity. This content has not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of the entities included within the post.
Najib
Friday 19th of January 2024
Consider Aqaba, Jordan as an additional destination... Top notch wifi, lots to do, and great weather
Daniel
Sunday 14th of January 2024
Is this if you stay in a hotel? Because even then, as a tourist ,those prices are crazy and wrong. An American wrote this, right?
Al LeFeusch
Sunday 14th of January 2024
I mentioned this in the comments of another of his articles, but does Vinicus Costa not connect the dots between the rising cost of living throughout Europe and the "digital nomad" boom? This article mentions overtourism, inflation and exchange rates, yet shockingly paints digital nomads as victims of these phenomenons, rather than active participants. Writing articles like this without specifically mentioning that digital nomads themselves contribute heavily to rises in cost of living-- and without explaining how to live abroad responsibly and respectfully-- is fueling the very rise in costs this author seems to constantly lament. If you are a "digital nomad," it is imperative that you research the average rates of rent/food/services in whatever locale you are interested in living in and, then, refuse to spend double/triple/quadruple those rates just because it's cheaper than your country. Locals are constantly being priced out by "digital nomads" who don't learn the local languages, demand the modern conveniences of their home home countries and spend without thought. Why would European apartment owners rent to locals for $400/mo when they can rent to digital nomads who are willing to spend $2400 on the same unit through Airbnb? This I guarantee you: if digital nomads descend upon the four destinations mentioned in this article and continue to outspend locals, it will not be long before these four destinations are no longer affordable.
Elliot
Wednesday 31st of January 2024
@Al LeFeusch,
I agree with you mostly but it's not about what we as digital nomads are "willing" to spend on Airbnb... we can only select the cheapest options there and sometimes, yes, those options can be 2-4 times what a local would pay depending on the country. So the locals who can afford to own an airbnb often overcharge.
San Parini
Sunday 14th of January 2024
Rijeka, Opatija, and the islands to the immediate south are all awesome! It’s such a cool blend of ancient history with modern touches on the mainland, while the islands are still old school. Sea food and pizza are incredible. Almost everyone speaks English. I concur!