Digital nomadism often brings to mind images of exotic beaches in Southeast Asia or the sunny streets of Barcelona, but that’s not always the case. Many remote workers just choose to relocate within the United States, whether for convenience, time zone considerations or to stay close to their loved ones.
A new study by Instant Offices—a digital marketplace for flexible workspaces—has revealed the best US cities for digital nomads, focusing on work-life balance, affordability and internet speed. The findings offer a fresh perspective on the richness of the digital nomad world.
And the winner could not have been anyone other than the beautiful Los Angeles—a city that offers a unique blend of creative energy, diverse neighborhoods, easy access to top-tier coworking spaces and some of the coziest coffee shops in the world.
Additionally, the city’s vibrant tech scene and cultural diversity create an inspiring environment for remote workers eager to connect with like-minded professionals from places like the U.S., Australia, India, Europe and Latin America.
As if that weren’t enough, Los Angeles enjoys sunny days and warm weather almost year-round, allowing you to explore its iconic or trendy beaches like Santa Monica Beach, Surfrider Beach, Venice Beach and Zuma Beach in Malibu.
The other podium finishers were Dallas and Jacksonville, taking second and third place.
In both cases, mild winters and an affordable cost of living were cited as the main reasons remote workers are choosing these cities as their new home base.
Given the diverse nature of digital nomads, with their varying budgets and needs, it’s not surprising that many have chosen destinations known for higher living costs, such as New York City and San Antonio, which ranked fourth and fifth place.
All Roads of Artificial Intelligence Are Leading Digital Nomads to California
The rise of artificial intelligence is steadily drawing a growing number of highly skilled professionals to California’s major tech cities.
Although the dominance of tech professionals in the digital nomad sector is decreasing, they still make up a significant portion of members and this new tech wave is something many don’t want to miss.
Tech hubs like San Francisco and Los Angeles have seen a significant influx of AI specialists, thanks to their unparalleled concentration of tech companies and startups dedicated to AI development. Some notable examples include OpenAI, Google DeepMind and Google AI, Anthropic and Machina Labs.
According to reports, this trend is driven by both private sector demand and policies that either favor the development of AI or, at the very least, avoid obstructing entrepreneurs eager to work in the field.
That was evident a few days ago when SB 1047, a bill aimed at establishing safety measures for Large Language Models (LLMs), was vetoed.
The reason behind the veto appears to be the desire to ensure that California remains a leader in technological innovation worldwide.
The American Progress Report—a publication by the Center for American Progress—revealed that multiple unions in California have negotiated agreements so favorable that they are expected to attract more workers to the state, as the government demonstrates a commitment to fair labor practices within the AI sector.