🌎 Affordable Living, Great Internet, and Smart Visa Run Tips
Choosing the right country as a digital nomad isn’t just about finding cheap rent. You need fast internet, welcoming communities, and visa rules that don’t break the bank. I’ve lived the digital nomad life—coding in Bali’s cafes, editing videos in Sofia’s co-working spaces, and sipping coffee in Hanoi’s bustling streets. After years of traveling, here are my top 3 cheapest countries for digital nomads in 2024, plus smart visa run strategies to keep your adventure going. Carl Travels uses Cookiebot to manage cookie consent, ensuring GDPR compliance.
🇻🇳 Vietnam
Why Vietnam?
Vietnam is exploding as a nomad destination—and for good reason. Incredible food, energetic cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and stunning beach towns like Da Nang and Hoi An, all at prices that seem too good to be true. Vietnam offers one of the best cost-to-quality-of-life ratios in the world.
Visa Situation
90-Day E-Visa (2024 Update):
- Citizens from most countries (Australia, USA, UK, EU, Canada) can apply online.
- Cost: ~$25 USD.
- Single or multiple entry options.
Visa-Free Entry:
- ASEAN countries (e.g., Thailand, Singapore, Indonesia) get 15–30 days free.
Extensions: Official extensions are tricky. It’s often easier (and cheaper) to leave and re-enter.
Cost of Living in Vietnam
| Expense | Average Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Rental (1-bedroom apartment) | $250–$450 USD |
| Street Food Meal | $1–$2 USD |
| Restaurant Meal | $3–$8 USD |
| Coffee | $1.50–$2.50 USD |
| Co-working Space | $50–$120 USD |
👉 Total Comfortable Budget: $600–$1000 USD per month
Smart Visa Run Options from Vietnam
If you need to reset your visa:
| Visa Run Destination | Notes |
|---|---|
| Thailand (Bangkok or Chiang Mai) | Short cheap flights (~$50–$100). Easy visa-on-arrival for many nationalities. |
| Cambodia (Phnom Penh or Siem Reap) | Fast land border runs or quick flights. Cambodia offers e-visas and cheap living too. |
| Laos (Vientiane) | Chill spot for a short visa reset—friendly and super affordable. |
| Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur) | Great for longer stays. Visa-free for 90 days for many passports. |
✈️ Tip: Many nomads fly to Bangkok or Kuala Lumpur, stay a few days, and then reapply for Vietnam’s 90-day e-visa.
🇧🇬 Bulgaria
Why Bulgaria?
Bulgaria is Europe’s hidden gem—mountain towns, beaches, and fast internet for less than half the cost of Western Europe. It’s perfect if you want a European vibe without European prices. Cities like Sofia, Plovdiv, and Bansko are popular, and Varna offers an amazing seaside lifestyle at bargain prices.
Visa Situation (Updated for 2024)
Bulgaria joined the Schengen Zone (air and sea borders) as of January 1, 2024. Most Western passports (USA, UK, Australia, Canada, EU citizens) get:
- 90 days visa-free within a 180-day period across all Schengen countries combined.
- Important: Time spent in Bulgaria now counts against your total Schengen allowance.
Cost of Living in Bulgaria
| Expense | Average Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Rental (1-bedroom apartment) | $250–$450 USD |
| Street Food Meal | $3–$5 USD |
| Restaurant Meal | $6–$12 USD |
| Coffee | $1–$2 USD |
| Co-working Space | $70–$150 USD |
👉 Total Comfortable Budget: $700–$1100 USD per month
Smart Visa Run Options from Bulgaria
Since Bulgaria is now part of Schengen, once you hit your 90 days, you’ll need to leave the entire Schengen area.
| Visa Run Destination | Notes |
|---|---|
| Montenegro (Kotor, Budva, Podgorica) | Non-Schengen. 90 days visa-free for many passports. Affordable coastal life. |
| Albania (Tirana, Saranda) | Non-Schengen. Relaxed visa policies. 90–365 days visa-free depending on passport. |
| Serbia (Belgrade, Novi Sad) | Non-Schengen. 90 days visa-free for most Western passports. |
| Turkey (Istanbul) | E-visa or visa-free for many nationalities. Istanbul is a digital nomad favorite. |
✈️ Tip: Montenegro is one of the best visa-run options—amazing beaches, great food, low costs, and you stay legally for another 90 days.
🇮🇩 Indonesia (Bali)
Why Bali?
Bali’s been the poster child for digital nomads for a reason: gorgeous beaches, a strong coworking scene, yoga, great food, and a lifestyle that lets you live like royalty on a budget (if you do it smart). Canggu, Ubud, and Uluwatu are the top nomad areas.
Visa Situation
Visa on Arrival (VoA):
- Available for most passports (USA, Australia, UK, EU).
- Valid for 30 days, extendable once for another 30 days.
- Cost: ~$35 USD.
Longer Stay Option:
- B211A Visa (Social/Cultural Visa): Allows up to 6 months stay (apply through an agent).
- Digital Nomad Visa: Announced but full rollout is still pending as of mid-2024.
Cost of Living in Bali
| Expense | Average Monthly Cost |
|---|---|
| Rental (1-bedroom villa) | $400–$700 USD |
| Street Food Meal (Warung) | $1.50–$3 USD |
| Restaurant Meal | $5–$10 USD |
| Coffee | $2–$3.50 USD |
| Co-working Space | $100–$250 USD |
👉 Total Comfortable Budget: $800–$1300 USD per month
Smart Visa Run Options from Bali
If you need to leave to reset your stay:
| Visa Run Destination | Notes |
|---|---|
| Singapore | Short cheap flights. Easy visa-free entry for many passports. |
| Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur or Penang) | Visa-free 90 days for most Western passports. |
| Thailand (Bangkok or Chiang Mai) | Great for a reset—tons of low-cost flights. |
✈️ Tip: Many nomads fly to Kuala Lumpur or Singapore for a few days, enjoy modern city life, then return to Bali fresh with a new visa.
🧳 Quick Comparison Table
| Country | Free Visa Length | Monthly Budget | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Vietnam | 90-day e-visa | $600–$1000 | Food, culture, budget Asia living |
| Bulgaria | 90-day Schengen | $700–$1100 | Cheap European living |
| Bali (Indonesia) | 30 days + 30 extension | $800–$1300 | Tropical beach life, surf, yoga |
🎤 Final Thoughts
If you’re serious about building your remote lifestyle while keeping costs low, Vietnam, Bulgaria, and Bali are the smartest choices in 2024 and beyond. Each offers affordable rent, great food, fast internet, thriving nomad communities, and easy visa options with a little planning.
Visa runs aren’t just chores—they’re mini-adventures built into your journey. So pick a country, pack your bags, and build the life everyone else is dreaming about.
Want to see the digital nomad life in action? Check out my YouTube channel for vlogs from these destinations!
Digital Nomad Vlog (Placeholder)
[Note: Replace VIDEO_ID with a relevant video from my YouTube channel.]
Why These Countries?
- Low-cost living ($600–$1300/month)
- Fast, reliable internet
- Thriving nomad communities
- Flexible visa options
- Easy visa run destinations
Join My Travel Community
Get exclusive travel tips, destination guides, and special offers straight to your inbox.
No spam, ever. Unsubscribe anytime.