Key Takeaways
- Bengaluru stands out as a top destination for digital nomads due to its robust infrastructure, affordability, thriving tech landscape, cultural heritage, vibrant nightlife, pleasant weather, and urban greenery.
- The city offers efficient public transport, numerous co-working spaces, affordable network services, and a wide array of mobile applications for daily needs.
- Bengaluru’s low cost of living, significantly lower than many global cities, attracts remote workers seeking affordability without compromising on amenities.
- Beyond its tech prominence, Bengaluru boasts a rich cultural heritage, diverse entertainment options, and lush green spaces, providing a well-rounded lifestyle for digital nomads.
Bengaluru, India–Widely recognized as the Silicon Valley of India and the center of the country’s high-tech industry, Bengaluru has earned a spot on the list of the best cities worldwide for digital nomads.
NomadList, a website that ranks cities according to their popularity and convenience for remote workers, places this South Indian city at #13 with an overall score of 3.65 out of 5.
Another recent research by Craft documents ranks this city #3 after Penang, Malaysia, and Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam, respectively.
Here are some of the reasons why this south Indian gateway, finds a place in the list of best cities for digital nomads.
Good infrastructure
The city has a well-developed infrastructure with an efficient public transportation system, many co-working spaces, co-living spaces/hostels, cafes, and restaurants. There are mobile applications for almost anything in the city, whether taxi services, food delivery, cleaning services, courier, groceries, etc.
Network providers in India have relatively cheap mobile data packages, and many wifi internet service providers offer fast speeds for much cheaper than in other countries.
Low cost of living
India has (even before the pandemic) been a favorite among remote workers worldwide due to its low cost of living. One statistics website states that living in India is, on average, 69.4% cheaper than in the United States, with rents 88.5% lower. Bangalore is also cheaper than other cities, like Mumbai or New Delhi. The real estate business, however, is marred by landlords asking for heavy deposits from tenants — up to 10 months.
Thriving tech landscape
Bengaluru has been the world’s fastest-growing tech ecosystem since 2016, followed by London, Munich, and Berlin. Additionally, the city has a noteworthy meet-up culture and a strong remote working community with frequent meetings.
Culture and heritage
The city is home to many cultural attractions that span several centuries. There are temples and palaces which go back to the 16th century, whereas many old buildings (including the Bangalore Palace) visible around the city were built during the British colonial era. Empires transition in this land, which definitely is worth watching.
Nightlife
There is a vibrant and diverse nightlife scene in this city, with a wide range of options, including pubs/dance clubs, casual bars, an increasing number of microbreweries, live music performances, comedy clubs, and frequent outdoor concerts. Popular breweries and pubs are a great hangout spot for young people and expats.
Weather and urban forestry
Photo by Punyashree Venkatram on Unsplash
Sitting atop the Deccan plateau, 3000 feet above sea level, this city experiences pleasant weather year-round with a wet monsoon between August and October. There are various parks and gardens around the city (Lal Bagh, Bangalore Botanical garden, and Cubbon Park) with really amazing trees to behold.
Interesting fact: German botanist Gustav Hermann Krumbiegel planned the city's urban forestry so that the city streets bloom with a different color (of flowering trees) at any given time of the year (read an article about that here).
One of the turn-offs about living in Bangalore, which cannot be ignored, is the bumper-to-bumper traffic the city experiences during its peak rush hours. However, the city’s metro system can help you get around effectively.
What We Think
Bengaluru’s emergence as a top destination for digital nomads comes as no surprise given its diverse offerings. The city’s blend of modern infrastructure, affordability, robust tech ecosystem, and cultural richness caters to the nomadic lifestyle.
However, challenges like heavy deposits in the real estate market and traffic congestion may deter some.
Overall, Bengaluru’s allure for remote workers rests on its balanced mix of convenience, cultural heritage, and favorable living conditions, making it an attractive hub for those seeking a vibrant urban lifestyle with a touch of heritage and tech sophistication.
