Start with constraints, then lifestyle
Before comparing cafes and beaches, filter for hard constraints: legal stay length, tax exposure, time zone, internet reliability, healthcare access, and whether your income comfortably covers the real monthly cost.
Use a simple scoring model
Score each city from 1 to 5 across visa fit, cost, housing, work setup, health, safety, time zone, and lifestyle. Weight the categories that matter most to your work and personal situation.
Plan the first month separately
The first month is rarely your normal monthly cost. Add setup expenses for airport transfers, deposits, coworking trials, SIM cards, insurance gaps, and a backup place to stay if the first apartment disappoints.
Frequently asked questions
What should I compare before choosing a nomad city?
Compare stay rules, total monthly cost, housing quality, internet, healthcare, safety, tax complexity, time zone, weather, and whether the city supports the way you actually work.
How long should I stay in a first destination?
For a first test, one to three months is usually enough to learn your preferences without locking yourself into a place that does not fit.
