4 Great US Cities To Digital Nomad in as a Freelancer
Guest post by Lance Cody-Valdez, Founder of free-lance-now.com
As the world becomes more accepting of remote work, with the work-from-home model having the largest popularity, an increasing number of work-from-homers are naturally becoming digital nomads, so that they can enjoy the perks of “working from anywhere" in different destinations around the world.
While most people associate U.S. digital nomads with people who slow travel while working remotely outside of the US, there are a few standout American cities that are great for digital nomading, for Americans looking to add adventure to to their life closer to home.
Sounds up your alley? You’re in luck! Below are 4 great cities for getting started with your digital nomad journey across the U.S. as a freelancer.
Las Vegas, Nevada
You might be thinking that Vegas would be the last place to try digital nomading as a freelancer with its “sin city” reputation, but there’s much more to Las Vegas beyond the haze of its glitzy tourist strip.
According to embracesomplace.com, if you’re an “adventure nut” you can easily get away from the Vegas strip and experience rustic nature-driven adventures like Red Rock, Lake Mead, Mount Charleston, and Valley of Fire. There’s also amazing natural parks close by, Canyon & Zion.
Unsurprisingly, the one caveat to getting the most out of nomading in Vegas a freelancer, is that it will be vital to have a car rental to zip around and experience the rustic sides of the city. If the extra costs of getting a car rental to get around Vegas leave you with concern for maintaining your nomadic budget, the general overall low cost of living there might add some relief.
For coworking spaces to boost productivity while working remotely in Las Vegas, there’s several options like Work In Progress, The Coop, & Bottega Exchange.
2. San Jose, California
Wrapped around the south side of San Francisco Bay, San Jose is one of the many tech hubs of California. With some of the nation's highest internet speeds, plentiful shared work facilities, and countless tech companies to network with, this sparsely populated city is great for freelancing digital nomads particularly in tech that want to jump right into it.
San Jose also boasts a varied international food scene. It's situation on the bay not far from the ocean, and it’s a great place to learn about other cultures and innovative ways of thinking.
Coworking spaces in San Jose are plenty - a few include Founders Floor, One Piece Work, & Zed.
3. Austin Texas
Austin is a bustling and progressive metropolis in what's typically considered a sprawling and rural state. Austin is known throughout the country for its music, art, and food scenes, and it’s walkable and easy to get around without necessarily having a car.
What’s special about Austin is that it also simultaneously maintains a big city and small town feel, with access to tons of exciting outdoor adventures. For health and fitness minded nomads, you’ll particularly enjoy several running trails in Austin, as well as kayaking and paddle boarding in Austin’s ladybird lake.
Coworking spaces are bountiful in Austin, and include Capital Factory (amazing for networking & events!), Cathedral, & Bond Collective.
4. New York, NY
Last but not least, we can’t not include NYC in this list!
One of the most dynamic cities in the USA and arguably the world, NYC is a mecca for go-getters, movers, and shakers. If you’re a freelancer looking to grow your client base in the states as a digital nomad, there are few cities in the world that can rival the networking opportunities available at literally any moment of the day and at every corner in NYC.
If you do decide to digital nomad in NYC, the high cost of living there will likely be the hardest part to manage. Seeking accommodation in boroughs outside of Manhattan, or even nearby Newark New Jersey could be an option to help find more affordable options. For nomads interested in booking accommodation in Manhattan, there are a few coliving spaces which include Outsite, Common, June Homes & Aleph Living.
You’ll also want to take advantage of the endless amount of networking & entertainment events in NYC. Check out Timeout NY frequently as well as Garys Guide for tips on events and overall cool things to do.
For adventure outings, NYC is one of the most famous tourist destinations on the planet and, has something for everyone. The main tourist attractions (Statue of Liberty, Broadway, Times Square, and Central Park) can all be visited on the same day, but you’ll want to spend a significant amount of town exploring Uptown Manhattan in Harlem; downtown NYC in the East/West Village and Tribeca; and the diversity of neighborhoods across Brooklyn, Queens, the Bronx, & Staten Island. When you really get comfortable out and about the city, you may also consider upping your adventure and heading upstate to NY to enjoy New York state’s epic nature and quaint towns that lie north of Manhattan.
Last but not least, in terms of coworking space, there are few cities in the world that have the amount of coworking spaces as NYC. In fact, its been estimated that NYC has as many as 245 coworking spaces!
Aside from finding an ample supply of Wework office locations, other cowork spaces in NY to check out include Workville, Blender, Neuehouse, or you can sample a range of cowork spaces in NY with apps like Croissant.
Making your decision
The main requirement you’ll need as a digital nomad (whether you nomad in the US or abroad) is access to a reliable internet connection. Depending on the nature of your work, you may need high-speed internet, or connecting a laptop to a mobile hotspot on your phone might suffice. Consider your individual needs when researching and deciding where to settle down.
For freelancing digital nomads, it’s especially recommended to get as many aspects of your professional life squared away before you commit to a move. Drawing up stock contracts will help you set expectations with clients and contractors without a need to haggle or negotiate. An invoice generator will save you time and effort when billing clients, guaranteeing that you get paid on time. Having these matters taken care of before your move will give you more time to enjoy the freedoms of your flexible lifestyle in your new city.
By taking care of these needs ahead of your trip, your life as a digital nomad leaves will you with more free time to explore everything your new city has to offer, whether abroad, or close to home in the USA.
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About the Author Lance Cody-Valdez: A few years ago, burned out and miserable from his job in corporate marketing, Lance Cody-Valdez decided it was time to invest in himself. He quit his job the following day and used his meager savings to stay afloat as he built a career as a freelance writer and content marketer. He created free-lance-now.com to help others use freelancing to escape the 9 to 5 daily grind.
About us: Adventurely is a travel club & meetup app for digital nomads, solo travelers & adventure seekers with thoughtfulness around sustainability & impact. Join one of our 1 Month digital nomad meetups happening this November 2022 in Mexico City, Playa Del Carmen, & Oaxaca Mexico 🇲🇽 ✈️💻