Introduction: A New Era for Remote Work Travel
In 2025, working remotely is no longer a trend—it’s a global lifestyle. From New York’s buzzing cafés to the calm lakesides of British Columbia, North America has opened its arms to digital nomads.
As someone who’s lived the laptop lifestyle for the past two years, I can tell you—the U.S. and Canada are two of the best places in the world to live, work, and explore while earning online.
You get a mix of tech-friendly infrastructure, vibrant coworking culture, scenic backdrops, and a community that truly understands the remote work hustle.
So if you’re ready to live your dream and become a digital nomad in North America, this guide is your go-to travel buddy.
Why Choose the U.S. & Canada for Nomad Life?
Here’s why thousands of remote workers are ditching traditional offices and flying to North America:
✅ Top Reasons
- ⚡ Blazing fast Wi-Fi & 5G in major cities and even smaller towns
- 🏙️ Coworking spaces in nearly every neighborhood
- 💬 Multicultural communities that feel like home
- 🌲 Nature + Urban balance (work indoors, explore outdoors)
- 🛫 Flight connectivity to Europe, Asia, Latin America
- 💰 Freelance & contract job access via U.S./Canada platforms
Best U.S. Cities for Digital Nomads in 2025
Let’s break down the top U.S. cities where remote workers thrive.
1. Austin, Texas – Startup Energy Meets Chill Vibes
Austin is the #1 choice for digital nomads who love warm weather, BBQ, and a strong tech community.
- 🌞 Weather: Sunny, mild winters
- 👩💻 Coworking: Capital Factory, Impact Hub, WeWork
- 💸 Rent: $1,300–$1,800/month
- ☕ Nomad Vibe: High — 20+ meetups/month
💬 Real Story: My friend Rhea found her first freelance UX job here while working out of a van! She made $8,000 in her first month.
2. Miami, Florida – Sun, Sand & Side Hustles
Perfect for nomads who want to work by day and dance by night.
- 🏖️ Beaches + city life
- 💳 No state income tax
- 🌴 Popular coworking: The LAB Miami, Spaces
- 💸 Rent: $1,500–$2,500/month
3. Denver, Colorado – For Nature & Startup Lovers
If you love mountains, fresh air, and hiking trails with your laptop, Denver is calling.
- 🏞️ Surrounded by Rocky Mountains
- 🧠 Tech scene + health-oriented community
- 🏡 Rent: $1,400–$1,800/month
- 📍 Best coworking: Thrive Workplace, Green Spaces
4. New York City – Fast, Global & Electric
- 🗽 One of the most connected cities in the world
- 🤝 Ideal for networking with founders, VCs, and remote teams
- 💰 Rent: $2,000–$3,000
- 🧠 Co-living: Outsite, Selina, PodShare
Top Canadian Cities for Digital Nomads
Canada is digital nomad heaven with stunning nature, friendly locals, and reliable healthcare.
1. Vancouver, BC – Nature + City Life Combo
- 🏔️ Close to beaches, forests, and ski slopes
- 🌐 Coworking: The Network Hub, L’Atelier
- 💸 Rent: CAD $1,800–$2,400/month
- ☕ Nomad-friendly cafés: Revolver, 49th Parallel Coffee
2. Toronto, Ontario – Diversity & Digital Work
- 🇨🇦 Largest startup hub in Canada
- 👩💻 Ideal for freelance developers, designers
- 💳 Digital banking ease with apps like Wise, Koho
- 📍 Best coworking: StartWell, East Room
3. Montreal, Quebec – Budget-Friendly Euro Vibes
- 🍷 French-English culture
- 💰 Lower rent: CAD $1,100–$1,600
- 🎭 Rich in art, music, festivals
- 📍 Popular coworking: Crew Collective
4. Banff or Canmore (Alberta) – For Remote Wilderness Work
- 🏕️ Ideal for bloggers, YouTubers, nature content creators
- 🌲 Coworking: Basecamp Lodge + cafés
- 💻 Use Starlink or local fiber for Wi-Fi
Cost of Living Breakdown
| City | Rent | Food & Living | Coworking | Monthly Est. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Austin, TX | $1,500 | $600 | $200 | $2,300 |
| Miami, FL | $2,000 | $800 | $250 | $3,050 |
| Vancouver | $2,000 | $700 | $250 | $2,950 |
| Montreal | $1,200 | $500 | $200 | $1,900 |
Coworking Spaces & Internet Options
- Top U.S. Coworking Chains: WeWork, Common Desk, Impact Hub
- Top Canada Coworking Spaces: Spaces, Workhaus, L’Atelier
- Backup Internet: Portable Starlink kit (for rural work)
Digital Nomad Visa Options – U.S. & Canada
🔹 USA:
- No formal digital nomad visa
- Most use B1/B2 (6 months stay)
- Or ESTA (90 days for 40+ countries)
🔹 Canada:
- ETA for short visits
- Self-Employed Visa (for creative/freelancers)
- Digital Nomad Visa Launching in 2025 (in progress)
Tips for Success as a Digital Nomad in North America
✅ Stay near transit + coworking zones
✅ Use budgeting apps like Wise, Trail Wallet
✅ Join nomad Facebook groups, Reddit, and Couchsurfing meetups
✅ Rotate cities every 3 months to explore more
✅ Invest in health insurance that covers North America
FAQs: Digital Nomad Life in U.S. & Canada
Yes, if you’re working for non-local clients (i.e., overseas clients), it’s generally allowed on visitor visas. But long-term stays may require special visa types.
Montreal is considered one of the most affordable digital nomad cities with rent under CAD $1,200.
Only permanent residents have access to public healthcare. Nomads should get private international health insurance.
Yes, using a VPN ensures privacy and allows you to securely access platforms like banking from anywhere.
You can rotate between U.S. and Canada using visitor visas or apply for longer-term options like Canada’s upcoming Digital Nomad Visa.
Yes! Check out Selina, Outsite, Roam, and Outpost—they offer full packages for work, stay, and community.
Conclusion: It’s Time to Start Your Nomad Journey
The world is remote, flexible, and borderless in 2025—and North America is leading this change.
Whether you’re coding from a WeWork in NYC, vlogging from a cabin in Banff, or freelancing in Miami’s heat—this lifestyle is real, achievable, and thriving.
So charge your laptop, pack light, and follow the Wi-Fi signal.
Your digital nomad life in the U.S. and Canada starts now.
