Travelwire

By Fathima Rukaiya,

If you want sunshine, reliable internet, coworking communities, and a cost of living that lets you enjoy life, 2025 still has a strong crop of cities that balance affordability and infrastructure.

Below are seven of the best places to base yourself for a few weeks to several months.

1) Bali — Indonesia

Why go: Tropical way of life, a large migrant population, a surf and wellness atmosphere, and rapidly expanding fiber internet in well-known locations.

Facilities

Coworking spaces include Outpost, Dojo, Tropical Nomad, Biliq, and several boutique locations that offer networking, events, fast fiber, and conference rooms.

Co Living: There are several shared homes with community stays close to coworking spaces.

Cafés: dependable Wi-Fi cafés that welcome travelers.

Health and transportation: private clinics in Denpasar, Canggu, and Ubud; scooter rentals are popular.

Rates

Depending on location and facilities, a one-bedroom apartment or private villa might cost between $600 and $1,500 per month.

Coworking: $8 – $15 per day; $60 – $200 per month (from unlimited monthly to day passes).

Coffee costs between $1.50 and $4.

Internet: In Canggu and Ubud, a lot of coworking spaces and villas claim 100 – 300 Mbps fiber.

2) Chiang Mai – Thailand

Why go: Extremely low living costs, strong community, calm pace, lots of coworking options, and reliable mobile data.

Facilities

Coworking: Dozens of spaces with meeting rooms, fast Wi-Fi, and social calendars.

Co- living: Affordable options for short and long stays.

Transport & health: Taxis/Grab app, cheap food stalls, and good private hospitals.

Rates

1-bed apartment or studio: $300 – $700 per month near Nimmanhaemin.

Coworking: $3 – $10 per day; $50 – $120 per month memberships.

Coffee: $1 – $2.

Internet: Reliable fiber and mobile coverage, typical speeds 50 – 150 Mbps.

3) Lisbon – Portugal

Why go: European buildings, a thriving coworking community, a moderate temperature, a cultural atmosphere, and an expanding environment of remote work visas. Though more expensive than Asia or Latin America, it is nevertheless tempting.

Facilities

Co-living and collaborations are common in Alfama, LX Factory, and other seaside communities.

Health and transportation: First-rate public transportation and healthcare that meets EU standards.

Rates

Monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment in the city center: €900 – €1,600 or $1,000 – $1,750+.

Coworking: day permits range from €15 to €30; hot desks cost €120 to €220 per month.

€1.20 to €2.50 for coffee.

Internet: Broadly available fiber with speeds of over 100 Mbps for homes and coworking spaces.

4) Medellín – Colombia

Why go: Pleasant year-round spring climate, affordable lifestyle, and improving infrastructure with many coworking options.

Facilities

Coworking: Selina (coworking + co-living hub) and local independent spaces, plus cafés with good Wi-Fi.

Co-living: Increasingly common in Poblado and Laureles.

Transport & health: Metro system, taxis/rideshares, and private clinics.

Rates

1-bed apartment in a nice area: $400 – $900 per month.

Cost of living: $1,000 – $1,800 per month.

Coworking: $80 – $200 per month.

Internet: Solid speeds in popular districts, usually 50 – 100+ Mbps.

5) Mexico City

Why go: Excellent cafés and coworking spaces, a thriving food and cultural scene, modern amenities in major neighborhoods, and convenient access to other parts of the Americas.

Facilities

Coworking: There are numerous coffee shops with strong Wi-Fi, WeWork, and neighborhood entrepreneurs.

Co-living: A developing trend in Coyoacán, Condesa, and Roma.

Health and transportation: first-rate private hospitals, Metro, and Uber.

Rates

One-bedroom apartment in a nice area: $600 – 1,200 per month (pricier in Roma/Condesa).

For most travelers, the cost of living is between $800 and $1,500 per month.

Coworking: $60 – $200 per month; $10 – $20 for day permits.

Coffee costs between $1.50 and $3.

Internet: Fiber is generally accessible and offers speeds of at least 25 – 100 Mbps.

6) Tbilisi – Georgia

Why go: Very affordable, friendly visa options for remote workers, cheap food and transport, and a growing creative scene. A great spot for exploring the Caucasus.

Facilities

Coworking: Increasing number of coworking spaces and cafés with fast Wi-Fi.

Co-living & short-term apartments: Many Airbnb and budget apartments.

Transport & health: Cheap taxis and ride apps, decent private clinics.

Rates

Central one-bedroom studio: $300 to $700 per month.

Comfortable living expenses range from $700 to $1,200 per month.

Coworking costs $40 to $120 per month.

Coffee costs between $1 and $2.50.

Visa: Georgia’s remote-worker entry programs allow long stays with minimal requirements.

7) Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) – Vietnam

Why go: Very low costs, vibrant café culture, lots of young entrepreneurs, and increasingly fast fiber internet in central districts. Great for travelers who enjoy a lively city vibe.

Facilities

Coworking: Many modern coworking spaces plus coffee shops are designed for remote workers.

Co-living: Growing scene, often bundled with coworking.

Transport & health: Motorbike taxis, Grab app, and international hospitals in District 1 and 3.

Rates

City center one-bedroom studio: $350 to $800 per month.

Comfortable living expenses range from $800 to $1,200 per month.

Coworking: $50 to $150 per month; $5 to $15 for day passes.

$1 to $2 for coffee.

Internet: Fiber is widely available, and average speeds range from 100 to 200 Mbps.

Final Tips

  • Always confirm actual internet speeds with hosts or coworking spaces.
  • Use local eSIMs for backup internet (e.g., Telkomsel in Indonesia, Viettel in Vietnam, Claro in Latin America).
  • If you rely on video calls, book a coworking desk or accommodation with guaranteed fiber internet.
  • Check recent travel forums and groups for the latest updates, as things can change quickly.

*Rates mentioned are updated as of 2025. Always check current prices and conditions before you go.