One of the best things about being a freelancer is that you can work from almost anywhere as long as you have a strong internet connection and the necessary equipment that your line of work demands – which is usually not a lot when it comes to the more popular freelancing jobs such as writing, video editing, etc.
If you plan to relocate to Asia, be prepared to drown in a sea of vibrant cultures, cuisines and ethnically diverse populations. Over the years, the continent has become one of the most popular destinations among remote workers (such as yourselves) and tourists due to its low cost of living and favourable weather.
There are just a few factors to take into account when deciding upon a city to relocate to. And to make it easier and give you precious insight, this article will guide you through the top 11 cities in Asia that you can consider working remotely from, along with a brief breakdown of average expenses.
1. Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia is a fantastic choice for those who enjoy living in a large city. Tradition and modernism coexists here, as is evident by the city’s unique architecture. Accommodation, food and medical services are reasonably priced. The only drawback may be the lack of entertainment alternatives.
Breakdown of common expenses:
Average cost of a meal at a restaurant: $3-5
Internet (60 mbps or more): $20-25
Cost of a 1-bedroom apartment: $200-400 per month
A single person’s estimated monthly costs sit around the ballpark of $400, keeping aside rental charges.
2. Ubud, Indonesia
This list would be incomplete without including the quaint city of Ubud, which boasts rave reviews about its cheap villas, aesthetic cafes and a variety of traditional vegan dishes. Although internet connectivity has improved drastically in the last few years, it is advisable to use a VPN to speed things up if you encounter long buffer and load times.
Do check in for a yoga class during your stay there if you have the time to. Fitness studios conduct classes amidst serene landscapes that make for an extremely calming experience.
Breakdown of expenses:
Average cost of a meal at a restaurant: $2-4
Internet (60 mbps or more): $25-30
Cost of a 1-bedroom apartment: $200-300 per month
A single person’s estimated monthly expenses are around $300, excluding rent.
3. Singapore
In addition to being one of the most technologically advanced city-states, flaunting internet speeds of more than 90 mbps, the bright and tropical Lion City has a lot to offer.
Most Singaporean citizens speak English or Mandarin, while the majority of signage in public places is in English. Despite being a little costly to live in, taxes are not too high.
To legally work as a freelancer in Singapore, you must be a citizen, pay income taxes, and fund a Medisave account, which is required for locals and permanent residents to save money for medical expenses. All things considered, Singapore is the place to be for individuals who enjoy a busy and energetic environment.
Breakdown of expenses:
Average cost of a meal at a restaurant: $7-10
Internet (60 mbps or more): $30-35
Cost of a 1-bedroom apartment: $700-1500 per month
A single person’s estimated monthly expenses are around $800 excluding rent.
4. Da Lat, Vietnam
Da Lat, a popular mountain town in Vietnam, offers pleasant temperatures, a laid-back way of life, and most importantly, decent internet connectivity. There are several coworking spaces and cafes in the city, and during your leisure time, you can go for a hike in the mountains or a stroll through the forests to rejuvenate yourself.
The Temporary Residence Card (TRC), which is good for one to three years, is required for those who want to live and work in Vietnam.
Breakdown of expenses:
Average cost of a meal at a restaurant: $1-5
Internet (60 mbps or more): $10-15
Cost of a 1-bedroom apartment: $150-300 per month
A single person’s estimated monthly expenses are around $300, excluding rent.
5. Penang, Malaysia
Penang is a warm and lively city with a sizable English-speaking population, making it a favourable location for independent workers. Also known as the food capital of Malaysia, you could unwind by walking through the streets of Penang and trying the local delicacies.
Malaysia is fairly welcoming in terms of its visa policy and offers a 90-day visa on arrival. Penang is also well known for its hip cafes and coworking spaces which have cropped up these past few years.
Breakdown of expenses:
Average cost of a meal at a restaurant: $2-8
Internet (60 mbps or more): $25-30
Cost of a 1-bedroom apartment: $150-300 per month
A single person’s estimated monthly expenses are around $400, excluding rent.
6. Tokyo, Japan
One of the most modern cities in the world, with a fantastic internet connection from basically anywhere, Tokyo is a place to let out your inner geek and forage through the manga stores and anime museums (if you’re into that).
Interesting yet affordable forms of lodging include capsule hotels and temples. Surprisingly, as one of the busiest cities in Asia, Tokyo is fairly quiet and clean. Downsides such as restrictive immigration laws, and a small number of English speakers can make Tokyo a bit hard to adjust to compared to the other entries in this list.
Breakdown of expenses:
Average cost of a meal at a restaurant: $6-8
Internet (60 mbps or more): $20-30
Cost of a 1-bedroom apartment: $500-1000 per month
A single person’s estimated monthly expenses are around $800 excluding rent.
7. Tbilisi, Georgia
Tbilisi is a well-liked destination for freelancers, largely because Georgia provides a remote work visa that enables visitors from 95 countries to stay in the country for up to 360 days. The country’s unusual position, sandwiched between Europe and Asia, makes it ethnically diverse and culturally enriching. The Black Sea and the Caucasus mountains are just a couple of destinations you might visit in your downtime.
You can enjoy good food, decent accommodation and wifi without burning a hole through your pocket. Here’s a breakdown of the usual expenses:
Breakdown of expenses:
Average cost of a meal at a restaurant: $8-10
Internet (60 mbps or more): $15-20
Cost of a 1-bedroom apartment: $600-800 per month
A single person’s estimated monthly expenses are around $600, excluding rent.
8. Goa, India
If you want to embrace the fresh sea breeze, Goa is waiting for you: a true haven for nature lovers, and also a place where you can purchase booze dirt cheap.
Working away at cybercafes and other coworking spaces is optimal for hassle-free internet access, but if you prefer to be alone when working, hitching yourself to a router connection isn’t hard, either.
North Goa is famous for its nightlife and music gigs, whereas South Goa is for those who prefer the calm and quiet. Most tourist visas allow visitors to reside in the country for up to 180 days. If you wish to stay longer, you can apply for an extension online.
Breakdown of expenses:
Average cost of a meal at a restaurant: $2-4
Internet (60 mbps or more): $5-10
Cost of a 1-bedroom apartment: $200 per month
A single person’s estimated monthly expenses are around $250, excluding rent.
9. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Ho Chi Minh City is an ideal place to move to for freelancers who want to live in a big city, without breaking the bank. Living costs are quite low; with less than $800, you should be able to cover all necessary expenses and buy all necessary goods. You could spot digital nomads like yourself frequently hanging out at coffee shops and co-working spaces. Conversely, it may take some time to become acclimated to the heat, traffic, and pollution.
Breakdown of expenses:
Average cost of a meal at a restaurant: $1-2
Internet (60 mbps or more): $10-15
Cost of a 1-bedroom apartment: $400 per month
A single person’s estimated monthly costs are around $500, minus rent.
10. Sihanoukville, Cambodia
One of Cambodia’s most vibrant cities, Sihanoukville attracts freelancers because of its inexpensive cost of living and the stunning beaches and water sports.
Extending your visa is fairly easy by going to a tourist agency if you want to stay longer than the officially-issued 30 days time.
Breakdown of expenses:
Average cost of a meal at a restaurant: $3-5
Internet (60 mbps or more): $10-20
Cost of a 1-bedroom apartment: $500 per month
A single person’s estimated monthly costs are around $380, minus rent.
11. Chiang Mai, Thailand
Chiang Mai in Thailand boasts one of the largest concentrations of digital workers and is a desirable location for individuals to relocate to in account of the friendly locals, affordable housing, and breathtaking nature. Aim for a monthly budget of $850 for rent, dining out three times a day, and workspace expenses.
However, you’ll need to put some effort into adapting to the culture and food. The immigration system is favourable to foreigners who can stay in the country for a ridiculously long time just on temporary visas. Thailand is also a hot spot for those looking to live the playboy lifestyle…
Breakdown of expenses:
Average cost of a meal at a restaurant: $1-3
Internet (60 mbps or more): $10-20
Cost of a 1-bedroom apartment: $300 per month
A single person’s estimated monthly costs are around $450, minus rent.
Finding places to live as a freelancer
If you’re ready to head off to one of these great Asian cities to enjoy the lifestyle, how can you find a place to live? Most freelancers will use Airbnb to find medium to longer term accommodation.
But we have been loving Vrbo – which offers a similar level of home from home but with less hidden fees. With Vrbo, the price you see quoted is the price including taxes and that hidden ‘cleaning fee’. Less surprises for sure.
Which is best between Airbnb vs Vrbo?
Search Vrbo with our handy widget right here.
Well, it seems like you’re all set to embark on your ‘Live, Laugh and Love’ adventure. It’s advisable for you to dig a little deeper into all the cities mentioned in our list in order to make sure it’s going to suit all your needs perfectly. Good luck out there!
