Here are ten inexpensive places that are popular with expats for living and running a freelancer business. These locations offer reliable internet, relative safety, cleanliness, and an environment that supports freedom, privacy, and minimal government interaction… and why they may be attractive… but a place that is often not thought of outside of this list is Cambodia… I have an old friend that lives there now for maybe 5 years now… quite inexpensive … he runs an online health and fitness program…
Tbilisi, Georgia
- Cost of Living: Low
- Internet: High-speed fiber available
- Safety: Relatively safe
- Benefits: Georgia offers a one-year visa-free stay for many nationalities, favorable tax laws for freelancers, and minimal bureaucracy.
Chiang Mai, Thailand
- Cost of Living: Very low
- Internet: Excellent in urban areas, with plenty of coworking spaces
- Safety: Safe, especially in expat-friendly areas
- Benefits: Low cost of living, vibrant digital nomad community, and great healthcare options.
Medellín, Colombia
- Cost of Living: Affordable
- Internet: Reliable and fast
- Safety: Improving but still varies by neighborhood
- Benefits: High quality of life, temperate weather, and government programs encouraging entrepreneurship.
Bali, Indonesia
- Cost of Living: Affordable to mid-range depending on area
- Internet: Decent in coworking hubs, though remote areas can be spotty
- Safety: Very safe for expats
- Benefits: Strong nomad community, scenic environment, and relaxed vibe with affordable lifestyle options.
Lisbon, Portugal
- Cost of Living: Mid-range but affordable for Europe
- Internet: Excellent fiber-optic connections
- Safety: One of the safest countries in Europe
- Benefits: Great weather, vibrant culture, and friendly visa options for digital nomads with a "Non-Habitual Resident" tax scheme.
Playa del Carmen, Mexico
- Cost of Living: Moderate
- Internet: High-speed internet readily available
- Safety: Safe for expats in specific areas
- Benefits: Fast-growing expat community, close proximity to the U.S., low taxes, and affordable healthcare.
Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
- Cost of Living: Very low
- Internet: Great speeds in urban centers
- Safety: Generally safe
- Benefits: Affordable living, vibrant street life, and easy access to coworking spaces with good internet infrastructure.
Canggu, Indonesia
- Cost of Living: Low to mid-range
- Internet: Reliable in coworking spaces and most rentals
- Safety: Safe, especially in expat-heavy areas
- Benefits: Surf culture, a laid-back lifestyle, and a welcoming community for freelancers and remote workers.
Prague, Czech Republic
- Cost of Living: Moderate
- Internet: Excellent fiber-optic internet
- Safety: Very safe
- Benefits: High standard of living, relatively affordable for Europe, and minimal government interference in private lives.
Budapest, Hungary
- Cost of Living: Affordable for Europe
- Internet: Great speeds
- Safety: Very safe in central areas
- Benefits: Central location in Europe, rich cultural scene, and affordable lifestyle while maintaining a relatively low level of bureaucracy for freelancers.
I spent some time in Bali and Jakarta… I like the metropolitan feel and access to modern things that Jakarta provides… but I like Bali for it’s laid back pace and natural beauty… but I don’t like the night life / bar hopping crowds of the touristy districts… another near by island which is mostly ‘Muslim’ is Lombok… and it is without all of the riff raff and party scene.. I’d probably be there over Bali…
And another area I really liked was Malang… it is in Central Java…(Indonesia still) … higher elevation so cooler… quiet, a college town of sorts… may even be cheaper than Bali because its away from that touristy mecca… and is definitely cheaper than Jakarta.
I do all kinds of dev, but lately focusing on web dev. Happy to see fellow developers here 
Please fell free to share any interesting findings, dilemmas, questions…