Is London A Good Pick For The Digital Nomad Lifestyle?
Digital nomads like a slice of the London life. It’s honestly the most popular city for remote workers to visit in 2024, and more and more people are coming to enjoy the nomadic life each and every year.
But does that make London a good pick for your digital nomad journey? After all, the city is pretty busy and gets packed during the peak times of the year; that can make finding somewhere to stay very difficult, especially if you want to be around for more than one night.
It’s an idea we can examine with the points below. If you’re a digital nomad who likes the idea of enjoying everything London has to offer, here are the things to keep in mind about planning a trip.
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London is a Cultural Center
London is one of the most culturally diverse cities in the world. There are nearly 300 different nationalities living and working in the city, and anyone who’s come to call London their home has brought their unique and amazing culture with them.
London is a much richer city because of it, and that’s something digital nomads have enjoyed for decades. Plenty of interesting shops, cafes, food stalls, bars, galleries, and museums have all been established thanks to these varying influences.
London’s arts scene is also one of the strongest in the world. Theatres can be found all over the city, art trails can be followed at your leisure, and plenty of amateur groups and clubs can be joined during your stay.
The Public Transport is Amazing
The public transport system in London is quite the feat, even with how common jams, faults, and delays can be. When you’re in the city, you’re never more than a few feet away from a bus stop or a tube station, and no matter where you get on, you’ll end up at your destination at some point without needing to get off again.
The cost to travel isn’t all that high either, especially if you get a visitor oyster card, which comes with a ‘daily cap’ to prevent you spending too much on travel. That can save you a lot of money on the back and forth involved in exploring London, but make sure you read and understand the rules of using one before you buy it.
There are a Lot of Co-Working Spaces
London isn’t just great for anyone interested in a co-living setup. There are many co-working spaces as well, perfect for remote workers looking to get things done in a peaceful place in the center of the metropolis.
London is not really short of coworking spaces at all! Make sure to check places like Spaces, Second Home (beautiful design), Labs, Work.life and Fora. They’re all inspiring offices to work from.
Use a co-working space, and you’re likely to run into a lot of other digital nomads as well, which’ll enrich your trip and have you leaving with a few more friends than you turned up with. And it won’t be hard to find the right co-working space for the duration of your trip either.
If you’re visiting just for a couple of days, drop off the bulk of your stuff at a luggage storage canary wharf, which is one of the best places for a digital nomad to base themselves, and then find yourself an office that allows you to book either by the day or half days.
If you’re going to be staying for longer, say a month or so, you may be able to take out a long-term booking at a discount price. That’ll help you stay on the right side of your budget, and as we all know, they can get pretty tight when you’re a digital nomad.
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It can get pricey!
Speaking of tight budgets, now’s the time to lay down the truth: London is an expensive city. You won’t be spending as much as you would in bigger cities in the US, but it could cost you between £1500 and £3500 to spend a full month here.
The cost of living is quite high in the UK capital and looks to stay that way in the future. It’s why many digital nomads stay for a couple of weeks max.
So, is London a good pick for the digital nomad lifestyle? It can be, but in short doses. People will always love visiting London, whether they’re sightseeing or working or both, and it’s rare to meet a digital nomad who hasn’t spent some time here.
Long story short, the co-working scene is amazing, there’s plenty to see and do, but the price isn’t going to go down any time soon.
Best Neighborhoods for Digital Nomads in London
- Shoreditch: Known for its vibrant street art, trendy cafes, and tech startups, Shoreditch is a hotspot for creative professionals. Coworking spaces like Second Home and WeWork are plentiful here.
- Canary Wharf: This area is not just for corporate offices; it’s also a fantastic choice for remote workers. Its modern facilities and proximity to excellent coworking spaces make it an ideal hub.
- Camden: For a more eclectic vibe, Camden offers a mix of lively markets, quiet spots, and coworking venues like The Collective.
Each neighborhood has its own unique vibe, so it’s worth exploring to find the one that suits your needs as a digital nomad in London.
Internet Connectivity and Remote Work Facilities
Reliable internet is a must for digital nomads, and London delivers on this front. The city boasts good connectivity, with public Wi-Fi available in most cafes, libraries, and even on public transport. Many coworking spaces provide high-speed internet and amenities tailored for remote workers. However, some areas in London do not have really high-speed internet, so you’ll encounter some airbnbs or flats that have 20 or 30 mbps connections. Still, pretty decent.
For a change of scenery, you can also work from public libraries like the British Library or smaller community libraries, like Foyles or Waterstones which often offer quiet workspaces and free Wi-Fi. Coffee shops like Grind and Pret A Manger are also popular with remote workers looking for a relaxed environment to get things done.
Networking Opportunities for Digital Nomads
London is a known global hub for networking, offering countless opportunities to connect with other professionals. Events like London Tech Week or Meetup.com groups focused on digital nomads and remote workers are excellent for expanding your circle. Also, look up tech and startup events happening in Old Street.
Additionally, coworking spaces often host networking events, workshops, and social hours, making it easy to mingle with like-minded individuals. Whether you’re looking to collaborate, learn, or simply share a coffee, London’s networking scene won’t disappoint.
Budget Tips for Digital Nomads in London
While London can be expensive, there are ways to stretch your budget. Here are a few:
Affordable Accommodation: Look into coliving spaces or short-term rentals on platforms like Airbnb or SabbaticalHomes. Also pet-sitting websites (londoners love their dogs) or home exchange platforms
Public Transport Hacks: A monthly travel card or an Oyster card with daily caps can save you money on commuting.
Free Attractions: Many museums, galleries, and parks in London are free to enter, including the Tate Modern and Hyde Park.
With careful planning, you can enjoy all that London has to offer without breaking the bank.
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🧳 Travel Insurance
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💰Travel Finances
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🏨 Accommodations
For a short stay check out Booking or Agoda. Staying longer? Take a look at the offers at Airbnb. Hostels are the cheapest option that you can explore at Hostelworld.
🏡 Recommended places for long-term stay
Wanna know the accommodations where we lived during our digital nomad journey? Check out the places we enjoyed the most!
🎫 Book tours
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🚗 Rent a car
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✈️ Book a flight
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🛡️ VPN
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