As the northern hemisphere approaches its colder days, online teachers and digital nomads have a golden opportunity to swap their boots for flip-flops while relocating their virtual classrooms to a beach-side resort!

If you teach online or work remotely, consider spending a couple of weeks up to a few months (depending on your visa) at warmer-weather destinations. Not only does a change of scenery boost creativity and motivation, but the lower cost of living in many tropical countries can also help you save money while enjoying a higher quality of life.

When choosing a destination, here are some key factors you may want to consider: WiFI access, time zone compatibility, safety, cost of living, and lifestyle. Let’s take a look at each one:

• Reliable, fast WiFi: You’ll likely need > 30 Mbps (or better) for video lessons, interactive classes, and uploading materials, especially if you’re teaching students around the world.

• Time zone compatibility: If you have classes in the American time zones, it may be tricky to live in Europe or Asia as you might have to teach classes in the middle of the night. It can still work if you shift your schedule around, but just be cautious of what time you’ll be teaching when you’re choosing a location.

• Safety & accessibility: To give yourself peace of mind as you’re travelling, choose neighbourhoods that are safe, have easy transport, and a friendly community. You can join some expat groups on social media platforms to ask about their experiences in different cities.

• Cost & lifestyle: Depending on your financial situation and goals, you may want to do more extensive research on the cost of living in the cities you’re considering. Look into the costs of renting, food, transportation, and leisure. Also, think about what kind of lifestyle you’d want to lead there. Are you more of a party person? Or prefer to be in nature?

With all those factors in mind, here are three cities you can consider as you choose your winter escape destination:

1) Medellín, Colombia

Medellin is known as the “city of eternal spring” as it offers year-round warmth. It’s a popular destination for online teachers and digital nomads as there are plenty of coworking spaces, cafes with good WiFi, and a vibrant community of locals and expats. For teachers with classes in North American time zones, there will be hardly any time zone differences, if at all.

In regards to safety, it’s best to stick to well-known neighbourhoods that have plenty of expats, like El Poblado, Envigado, and Laureles. The cost of living in Medellin is quite affordable, around US$1000-2000 a month is more than enough to live comfortably! The locals are generally quite friendly, so if you pick up some Spanish, you’ll have a great time with the local community.

2) Valencia, Spain

Valencia is often considered the best city in Spain for digital nomads as it has a perfect mix of affordability, safety, and Mediterranean charm. Although the winter months in North America are also winter months in Valencia, the weather is much warmer in Spain. If you want to get away from the below zero temperatures, but don’t want to be in a place that’s too hot, Valencia might be a great option.

Compared to major cities like Barcelona or Madrid, the cost of living in Valencia is noticeably lower, especially for rent and food. Despite the lower costs, Valencia still has excellent infrastructure, fast Wi-Fi, and plenty of coworking spaces. The city enjoys over 300 days of sunshine a year and a relaxed coastal lifestyle,so it’s quite ideal for remote workers looking for balance between productivity and leisure. It’s also very convenient to walk or bike everywhere as the city is compact.

3) Chiang Mai, Thailand

Chiang Mai is often regarded as one of the best cities in Asia for digital nomads due to its affordability, safety, comfort, and culture. The cost of living is low, but online teachers can still enjoy a high quality of life. The city is safe, welcoming, and surrounded by beautiful mountains and temples, offering a peaceful atmosphere that encourages focus and creativity.

As a hotspot for digital nomads, Chiang Mai has excellent WiFi throughout the city and a strong sense of community among remote workers. There is an abundance of cafes designed for working, and the weather is warm year-round. Most nomads prefer to stay in Chiang Mai between November and February when the climate is cooler and clearer, so that’s perfect timing for online teachers wanting to escape the winter months in North America.

Which of these cities would you like to spend some time in? Stay tuned for next week’s article where we’ll share even more sunny destinations to escape the winter!