With the growing popularity and use of the Internet, more and more people are sitting at their desks thinking: I could do this from home. Fortunately, company owners are also starting to realize the fact that many jobs can now be done at home through the Internet. This is especially true for writing gigs. This is known as telecommuting, and for those who have landing a telecommuting job, home can really be anywhere in the world.
If you’ve been given the OK to work from home and are planning a move, you should consider whether or not a city is accepting of foreigners, if the city has many wi-fi hotspots, if the weather will allow you to get out of your house, and whether or not you can get around easily if you choose to move somewhere without a car.
With these things in mind, below are some of the best cities for those hoping to telecommute in 2013:
Austin, Texas
This city is great for telecommuters because of the culture. Austin is home to the University of Texas and full of “new age” music and is very welcoming to foreigners and those who work from home. According to MSNBC, Austin, Texas was voted the second most walkable city in the U.S. just under Madison, Wisconsin, so if you are a telecommuter without a car (and aren’t interested in the snow and sleet that Wisconsin brings), it doesn’t get much better than Austin.
Seoul, South Korea
This city thrives on travelers and welcomes them with open arms. The city is equipped with the latest technology and plenty of Internet cafes for the telecommuter. My friend is currently living in Seoul and was expecting things to be more primitive and different than his native home America. The first thing that jumped out to him was the amount of technological know-how and modern ways. Wi-Fi everywhere!
Vancouver, Canada
Canada is a great place to be if you don’t mind the cold. It is one of the largest cities in Canada and has tons of public transportation for the telecommuter without a car. Last year, Daily Mail reported that this city was voted the world’s best city to live in, with two more Canadian cities rounding out the top 10.
Atlanta, Georgia
This American city is great for a telecommuter because it is one of the most affordable. It’s a growing city with a lot to do, and most importantly, no snow! The cost of living is nearly 4% below the average cost of living in most American cities, and it is home to many sports teams and Universities, which help bring culture and excitement for any foreigner.
Taipei, Taiwan
This city was one of the first to encourage telecommuting and therefore has many spots where you can find the Internet. Full of culture, this place works if you’re looking for adventure. Although Taipei has a reputation of being hard to navigate, telecommuters are able to make it work by simply doing some research. You can learn more about getting around Taipei from author of Taipei Travel Secrets, Ugo Ortolano.
Barcelona, Spain
Everyone who goes to Spain raves about the friendliness of the people and vibrant night life. The weather is also great for a telecommuter who will need to get out of the house. Having spent four months in Spain, Barcelona was one of my favorite cities because it was easy to navigate and full of people willing to help. It was a great place for someone new.
Stockholm, Sweden
This city makes all the lists because it is affordable, has great culture, is supportive of foreigners, great weather, and great web services. It seems to have it all for the guy or girl on the move. I know several of my former classmates had the option of studying abroad in several countries, and all but one chose Sweden. It’s a place to learn, and this was the first thing that my friends noticed when they started their journey in this historic city.
San Diego, California
Although this doesn’t make everyone’s list, I am currently a telecommuter in this city and couldn’t ignore it. San Diego is considered one of the most beautiful places in America and is small enough for a foreigner to really get acclimated to a new culture. I spend my days on the beach, my nights writing, and my weekends hiking and visiting the sites.
Truth be told I have not visited all these cities; however aside from Taiwan I either have visited the city or know someone who lived in the city for at least 6 months. Through research, talking with my friends, and drawing on my own experiences these cities seem great for those looking to mix work and travel. It’s always a good idea to do research on your own, but these cities are certainly a good place to start.
Are you a telecommuter who has found a city that is great for the work/life balance? in the comments below, let us know what has worked for you.
Photo Credit: forbes.com, en.wikipedia.org, globeimages.net, destination360.com, bobzworldcity.com, travel.smart-guide.net, stockholm.com, jm-seo.org
Amanda DiSilvestro gives small business and entrepreneurs SEO advice ranging from keyword density to recovering from algorithm updates. She writes for the professional SEO company HigherVisibility, a nationally recognized as one of the best local SEO companies.
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