HOT NEW MARKETS:WHY BUCHAREST IS THE NEW BALI FOR DIGITAL NOMADS
So you’re a digital nomad, living it up and loving your life as you travel from place to place. If you’ve had a bit of experience, you’ve probably been to (or at least heard of) many of the best spots around the world to post up and work for a while. A recent boom was in Bali, with many nomads finding it to be a great place to work and live. But the question then becomes…where to next?
The latest popular answer seems to be Bucharest, Romania! If you’re unfamiliar with Bucharest, the capital city of Romania, there are a lot of reasons to make it your next destination to work and live. Let’s dive into a few of those reasons:
Cost of Living
This one feels great to talk about. The cost of living in Bucharest is incredibly reasonable, with an estimated monthly cost of under $700 USD (before rent). In fact, the average cost of living in Romania is almost 50% lower than in the United States. And the rent is cheap too! Close to the city center, you’re likely to pay close to $500 USD, but the further you live from the city center, the cheaper it gets.
Internet
Digital nomads need to be able to rely on their internet connection wherever they go. It’s one of the biggest factors of the job! There’s nothing that can derail you faster than not being able to connect when you need to work. Well, there’s good news in that department too! According to a study on WiseVoter.com ranking internet speed by country, Romania holds the 9th place spot in the world, as of 2023. The average internet speed there is 260.97 Mbps, which places it ahead of the USA at 256.03 Mbps, and Canada at 240.3 Mbps.
Co-Working Spaces & Nomad Community
But where can you access this speedy internet when you need it? No need to worry, because Bucharest has a lot of options for you. At the top of many digital nomads’ lists is Commons Unirii, where working nomads can have 24/7 access to super-fast wifi, meeting rooms, private lockers, desks, and printing services. There’s also micro-roasted coffee in-house, and it’s dog-friendly, which are both pretty attractive perks. Another favorite workspace is TechHub Bucharest, part of an international chain of workspaces that specifically cater to people working in the tech industry. Because it’s designed for tech entrepreneurs, it’s become a great place to network and build your community if you work in the tech field.
V7 Startup Studio is also a popular recommendation for a workspace in Bucharest. Aiming to connect digital nomads from a wide variety of fields, the place can cater to many different work styles. They offer half-day, full-day, 10-day, or monthly rental options.
Ultimately, the most important part of these co-working spaces is that there are actually other digital nomads there for you to connect with. Lately, it seems pretty likely that this will happen easily; Bucharest just topped a popular City Monitor study at the beginning of June 2023 that named it the best city in Europe for digital nomads.
You might be able to build community simply by exploring the shared workspaces and meeting people drawn to the city by its recent boost in online popularity. But if strolling in and introducing yourself in person is a little intimidating for you, no need to worry. Bucharest also has a lot of information online about digital nomad meet-ups, hangouts, and fun events that are specifically designed to help you meet people who share your work & lifestyle.
Food & Nightlife
Those who enjoy a wide variety of cuisine will be well-served in Bucharest. First of all, food is quite reasonably priced, with the average meal out at a restaurant costing $11 USD. While there, you absolutely have to take advantage of this and try some Romanian classics such as scovergi (fried dough), mici (sausages), sarmale (stuffed cabbage rolls, possibly Romania’s most famous food), and mamaliga (polenta). Romanian wine is also very celebrated, so you’ll want to try a glass or two after work to unwind.
A quick look into Bucharest’s nightlife reveals a culture that is energetic, bustling, and glamorous. If you’re looking to dance, Control Club is great for its indoor/outdoor space and variety of music, while Player Club sports a glitzy atmosphere and pool area for summer parties. Maybe you’re looking for karaoke, and MOJO (Bucharest’s original karaoke bar) is more your speed. For a novel drinking experience, round up some friends and try Shoteria, the first shot bar in Romania which offers not only many different shots, but a variety of hangover cures as well. You’ll also find a ton of pubs and wine bars if you’re looking for someplace a bit calmer to take the edge off after a day’s work.
Exploring the City
Anyone who takes up living and working in Bucharest should definitely take some time to explore the culture and history of the city while being there. The city became the capital of Romania in 1862, so there has been a lot of time for the city to develop and grow into the place it is today.
As well as being the capital, Bucharest is also the largest city in Romania. Known as “The Paris of the East” because of the French influence on its architecture, you’re bound to see some incredible sights simply by walking out of your front door while you’re there. Bucharest sports wide, tree-lined streets, stunning buildings in the French style, and many notable areas to see, such as the Royal Palace, Revolution Square, and the Romanian Athenaeum. Also, Dracula’s castle is only a day trip away from the city…check it out if you dare!
Whether you’ve been a digital nomad for some time now, or whether your journey is just beginning, Bucharest should absolutely be on your list of places to live and work. Fast internet, a thriving nomad community, delicious food & happening nightlife, are all found in a beautiful city that is affordable and rich in history. Bucharest has it all. What are you waiting for?
