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As a digital nomad entrepreneur, you’re as free as it gets – you can work from anywhere, set your own hours, and even travel as you work. Of course, even the most travel-prone digital nomads need a home base when they’re not indulging their wanderlust.
If you’re looking for a home city for yourself and need some options, Enguide has you covered. We’ve handpicked 4 US cities below that will make wonderful home bases. All 4 cities score high on factors digital nomads care about – cost of living, connectivity, remote work opportunities, co-working spaces, general infrastructure, safety, and lifestyle.
Two factors typically matter more than most to digital nomad entrepreneurs: high-speed internet connectivity and co-working options. The first is critical because digital nomads need to be online 24/7. A spotty local network can cause all sorts of problems. The second is important for mental health reasons – working with other people every once in a while can keep the loneliness at bay (and co-working is much more enjoyable too).
Without further ado, here are 4 cities that may make suitable homes for you:
Augusta, Georgia – For affordable housing
Augusta is a top economic hub in Georgia, famous for its military, manufacturing, and medicine industries. It offers significant business and employment opportunities for entrepreneurs. The biggest draw for digital nomads is the low cost of living – Augusta is 15 percent cheaper than average nationally. Finding affordable housing, whether on rent or purchase, is comparatively easy here.
Augusta, as a business hub, has excellent infrastructure. It’s easy to get to by plane, car, and public transportation. It has many top-tier co-working spaces and offers high-speed internet access. Last, but not least, Augusta ranks high on other livability factors: According to Home & Money, It has many open spaces and green parks; it has a big golfing scene (the Master’s Tournament is a big thing); and the air is super clean.
Chicago, Illinois – Plentiful remote job opportunities
Chicago is the most famous city in Illinois. It regularly features in lists of best US cities for digital nomads because it offers so many remote and hybrid work options opportunities, across a range of industries. Also, as a global business center, Chicago has top-tier infrastructure, from transportation to connectivity. You can work conveniently from one of many co-working spaces or cafes in the city.
Other factors that make Chicago a great home base are the presence of high-quality academic institutions, amazing food, happening culture, a great sports scene, and friendly neighbors. Chicago does have some drawbacks: the weather can be topsy-turvy, it can be too busy, and there’s a high level of crime. Also, the cost of living is higher than average, and finding a place to live can be tricky.
Columbus, Ohio – Small town feel
If you prefer the laid-back lifestyle you find in small towns but still want to enjoy all the amenities of a big city, you will love Columbus, Ohio. It’s nicknamed “The Biggest Small Town in America” and offers everything you’d expect from a big city – like connectivity and work opportunities – while still somehow managing to have a homely feel.
Columbus has a lower-than-average cost of living, and housing is comparatively easy to come by. The city is known for higher education, nature, food scene, sports, shopping, and its inclusive community. Finding housing isn’t so hard. Columbus does have a couple of drawbacks – the taxes can be a pinch and commuting around can be a chore.
San Francisco, California – Family-friendly touristy big city
If you’re an established digital nomad entrepreneur who’s looking to settle down and lay some roots, San Francisco may be one of your best options. It’s a wonderful city to raise a family on account of its world-class transportation, public schools, accessibility, safety, and culture and lifestyle. Needless, to say, San Francisco is also excellent for work reasons – it has many thriving industries and offers famously-fat paychecks.
As a global tourist hub, San Francisco offers an endless array of attractions and things to do. You’ll find many festivals, events, restaurants, museums, and historical places to visit. However, bear in mind that San Francisco has a sky-high cost of living. While this is offset by higher-than-average local salaries, it’s still likely not a good idea to be here if you’re an up-and-coming entrepreneur who’s still making a name for themselves. Also, finding an affordable place to live here can take some work.
Marketing is crucial for digital nomads
As a digital nomad who isn’t always there in person to make an impression, you need top-tier marketing skills to find and secure paying clients (or work). You should, at the bare minimum, have a portfolio website and be available on social media. Having contacts in your industry will help.
An effective way of making a lasting impression on potential clients or contacts is through a brochure. A brochure gives people something tangible to remember you by. It makes you look credible and gives clients a chance to get a feel for your work for themselves. You don’t need to hire a professional to create a brochure – there are tools online for building your own brochure. You can choose a theme, customize the text, add pictures, and make it visually appealing in other ways.
Conclusion
As a digital nomad entrepreneur, you could potentially work from anywhere in the US (or globally for that matter). It may be best if you come up with a list of priorities and match it to the city at hand to determine its suitability as a home base. Top-tier marketing skills will help you find paying clients regardless of where you are.