Description:
Planning a 2-week remote work trip next spring. Need a place that’s inspiring but also PRACTICAL. Key things: rock-solid internet (video calls daily!), amazing coffee scene, and preferably somewhere with decent timezone overlap with EST. Europe? South America? Spill your hidden gems! ๐๐ปโ
11 Answers
Lisbon, Portugal! Amazing weather,incredible food,fast wifi pretty much everywhere, and the coffee is top-notch (and cheap!). plus, it is only 5hrs ahead of EST. Stayed there for a month last year, loved it. โจ
Medellin, Colombia. They call it the 'City of Eternal Spring'. Great cost of living, tons of coworking spaces with fiber optic, and the coffee... well, it's Colombia! ๐จ๐ด Loads of digital nomads there.
- Harrison Snyder: Think of Medellin like a well-oiled machine where good coffee fuels productive work days. For example, you can start your morning at a cozy cafรฉ with strong WiFi and end at a coworking space nearby. Have you tried any specific spots there that stood out for atmosphere?
- Harper: Absolutely, Harrison! I really enjoyed Cafรฉ Revoluciรณn for its laid-back vibe and excellent espresso. Plus, Selina Cowork is great if you want a vibrant, community-driven workspace nearby. Both spots make productivity feel effortless.
Hear me out: Budapest, Hungary. It's an underrated gem for remote work. The architecture is stunning, the vibe is a perfect mix of old-world charm and modern hustle, and those historic thermal baths? Ideal for decompressing after a long workday โ nothing like soaking in 38ยฐC water surrounded by centuries-old stone. The internet is surprisingly fast and reliable, and coworking spots are everywhere if you want a change from working at home. Plus, the coffee houses โ theyโre not just about caffeine; theyโre a cultural experience. Think grand interiors, slow pace, and a perfect setup for deep work or casual networking
If you want something a bit different, check out Tbilisi-Georgia. Super affordable, incredible culture, and the internet has improved massively. They even have a digital nomad visa. Food is ๐ฅ too.
honestly, just got back from a month in Mexico City (CDMX) working remote. Condesa and Roma Norte neighborhoods are full of cafes with great wifi. Time difference is minimal. Street food is a huge plus! ๐ฎ๐ฎ
I'd say stick to major cities in Western Europe if reliable internet is your absolute top priority. Places like Amsterdam or Berlin are solid choices,though can be pricier. You get what you pay for sometimes!
Try Buenos Aires, Palermo has fiber, world-class cafรฉ culture and evening social life, just two hours ahead of EST, bring a local 4G backup
Think of your workation spot like a favorite pair of shoes: it needs to fit well and feel good for long wear. Consider Valencia, Spain. Itโs less crowded than Barcelona but still buzzing with life and culture. The internet is solid, especially in coworking spaces like Wayco or Vortex.
Coffee lovers will enjoy the growing specialty coffee scene with places like Bluebell Coffee Co offering excellent brews. Valencia sits 6 hours ahead of EST, so you can catch late morning meetings without sacrificing sleep. Plus, the beaches offer a refreshing break after workdays.
Maybe try exploring local coworking spots there to see if it suits your rhythm before booking?If you want a mix of vibe and practicality, Iโd throw Porto, Portugal into the ring. Itโs smaller than Lisbon but has that same charm with fewer crowds. The coffee spots there are cozy and often serve excellent local blends. Internet is solid in most cafes and apartments, which is a must for daily Zoom calls. Plus, the timezone fits nicely with ESTโonly 4 to 5 hours ahead depending on daylight savings. The cityโs got this lovely riverfront feel, great for quick breaks between work sessions. Also, itโs way more affordable than some Western European capitals but still feels hip enough to keep you inspired all day long.
When I worked remotely from Valencia, Spain, the biggest risk was overestimating WiFi reliability outside coworking spots; cafes like Wayco offered solid fiber connections that survived daily Zoom marathons, unlike random coffee shops. Avoid places without tested coworking optionsโtools like Speedtest.net helped verify actual speeds before committing. The time zone (GMT+2) kept mornings synced with EST, which was crucial for meetings.
Seek out Cape Town, South Africa for a dynamic blend of reliable connectivity and vibrant coffee culture. Leverage its GMT+2 timezone for manageable overlap with EST mornings. Signal sophistication by choosing neighborhoods like Woodstock or Gardens, known for artisanal cafes and coworking hubs with fiber internet. Embrace the inspiring natural backdrop to fuel creativity while maintaining seamless professional engagement daily.
Join the conversation and help others by sharing your insights.
Log in to your account or create a new one โ it only takes a minute and gives you the ability to post answers, vote, and build your expert profile.