The Best Places to Live as a Nomad Family in 2026 (and the Trade-offs)

1. Chiang Mai, Thailand

🔜 Our next stop: we arrive at the end of 2026

Chiang Mai is still the place nomad families talk about most, and it’s where we’re heading next. This block is research for now. We’ll update it once we’ve lived there.

Who Chiang Mai suits

Families who want a slower pace and a large, established family community. There’s the walled Old City with its moat and temples, the café-filled Nimman area, and Doi Suthep mountain on the city’s doorstep.

Chiang Mai also has a strong reputation for vegetarian and vegan food, which is a big part of why it’s on our list. More in our Thailand guide for nomad families.

The trade-offs

Burning season, roughly February to April, brings smoke and poor air quality. Many families leave the city for those months, and it’s the first thing we’d plan around. It’s also inland, so there’s no beach.

If animal experiences are on your list, research carefully and choose genuinely ethical sanctuaries.

Visa route for families

From 15 September 2026, many nationalities, including Australians, get 30 days visa-free. For longer stays, the Destination Thailand Visa (DTV) allows up to 180 days per entry and covers a spouse and children aged 20 or under. Check current details on the official Thai e-visa portal.

2. Da Nang, Vietnam

📍 We’ve lived here: a month with Louie and Leo in 2026

Da Nang is the new hotspot in the family groups, and after a month there with the boys, we can see why. We stayed near My Khe Beach, and the beach became part of everyday life rather than a day out. Louie had his first surf lesson at My Khe, and Leo got his daily paddle before the heat built up.

Who Da Nang suits

Families who want beach life and a real city at the same time. Da Nang has supermarkets, pharmacies, hospitals and an international airport, so you can build a routine rather than just holiday.

As vegetarians, we were spoilt by the vegan and vegetarian cafés around My An and An Thuong. Working remotely feels normal here too. Marty found a regular spot at HI4 Coffee & Workspace, and we even did some of Louie’s schoolwork there.

For worldschooling, the Cham Sculpture Museum and the Son Tra Peninsula were easy wins. Hoi An, the Marble Mountains and Hue are all within day-trip or overnight reach.

The trade-offs

The heat shapes your whole day, especially with a toddler, so mornings and late afternoons are for going out. Pavements are often blocked by scooters, which makes prams hard work. Traffic takes some getting used to.

We never found car seats in Grab cars, which is worth knowing if that matters to your family. The wet season, roughly September to December, can change plans quickly.

What it cost us

Around €2,265 a month for our family of four, in a comfortable hotel with breakfast and a pool. You could spend less. The full breakdown is in our Da Nang family guide.

Visa route for families

Vietnam doesn’t have a digital nomad visa. Most families use the 90-day e-visa, which can’t be extended from inside the country, so plan your exit date. Check current details on Vietnam’s official e-visa portal, and see our Vietnam guide.

3. Bali, Indonesia

🔎 Researched, not visited yet

Bali is still one of the most talked-about places in the family groups we’re in, and families keep going. But more and more of those conversations are about traffic, rising prices and crowds. It still works for families. You just need clearer expectations than the Instagram version.

When we looked at going to Bali ourselves, one thing stood out straight away: the accommodation. We found beautiful places at great prices, which isn’t something we can say about many destinations on this list.

In the end, we decided not to go. With Leo still in a pram, I wanted to walk everywhere, and from everything we read, Bali looked hard for that. Many roads have narrow or no footpaths, and most families get around by scooter or driver. For families with walking-age kids or no pram, that matters much less.

Who Bali suits

Families who want nature, outdoor learning and an established worldschooling scene. Where you base yourself matters more than anywhere else on this list:

• Canggu is the busy, surf-and-café hub.
• Ubud, inland, is greener and slower, with a strong alternative education community.
• Sanur, on the east coast, is calmer, with a long flat beachfront path that’s easy with bikes.

Bali is also one of the easiest places in Asia to eat vegetarian and vegan.

The trade-offs

Traffic in the south can turn a short trip into an hour. Prices in the most popular areas have climbed, so the best value is often a little further out. Development is changing the landscapes people came for.

Dengue is present, so mosquito protection matters. Our travel vaccinations guide for families covers what to check before you go.

Visa route for families

Indonesia’s E33G Remote Worker Visa is designed for people working for overseas employers, and family members can reportedly apply as dependants. Tourist and visit visas don’t cover remote work. Check current details on Indonesia’s official immigration site.

4. Tbilisi, Georgia

🔎 Researched, not visited yet

Tbilisi keeps surprising people. It has vine-covered balconies, a cable car up to an old fortress, sulphur baths in the Old Town, and a food and wine culture you could build a whole worldschool unit around.

Who Tbilisi suits

Families who love food, history and a bit of adventure. Georgia is one of the world’s oldest winemaking countries, and its traditional method of fermenting wine in clay vessels called qvevri is UNESCO-listed. 🍷

Georgian food is kinder to vegetarians than you might expect. Look for khachapuri (cheese bread), lobio (bean stew) and badrijani (aubergine rolls with walnut paste).

The trade-offs

The city is hilly, and pavements are often uneven, which makes prams hard work. Driving can be chaotic. Winters are cold.

And the “just turn up and work” era is over. Georgia now requires a work permit, even for remote work.

Visa route for families

Australian and EU passport holders can stay visa-free for up to a year. From 1 March 2026, anyone working in Georgia, including remote work for overseas clients, needs a Work Activity Permit. Check current details on Georgia’s official labour migration portal.

5. Medellín, Colombia

🔎 Researched, not visited yet

Medellín is known as the City of Eternal Spring, and the mild weather all year is a big part of its appeal for families. It’s a city that has reinvented itself, and it shows in its public spaces and transport.

Who Medellín suits

Families who want a Latin American base with city comforts. The metro connects to cable cars that climb the hillsides, which is a transport lesson and a theme park ride in one. Parque Explora, an interactive science museum with an aquarium, is a favourite with kids.

El Poblado is the busy expat hub. Laureles is flatter, quieter and more local, and often suits families better. More in our Colombia guide for nomad families.

The trade-offs

Safety varies a lot between neighbourhoods, and petty theft is common, so local advice matters. You’ll get much more out of life here with some Spanish.

The time zone suits North American clients, not European or Australian ones.

Visa route for families

Colombia’s Digital Nomad Visa (Visa V) requires income of at least three times the Colombian monthly minimum wage, shown on bank statements. Spouses and children can reportedly apply as beneficiaries. Check current details with Colombia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Cancillería).

6. Valencia, Spain

🔎 Researched, not visited yet

Valencia gives families a big-city base with a smaller-city pace. There’s a beach, a dried riverbed turned into a park, and a food culture built around markets and long lunches.

Who Valencia suits

Families who want Mediterranean life without Barcelona’s crowds or Madrid’s scale. It’s especially good for active kids. The Turia Gardens run for kilometres through the city along the old riverbed, with playgrounds, football pitches and bike paths all the way. It’s one reason Valencia features in our best cycling cities for families.

Food-loving parents get the Mercado Central, one of Europe’s great markets. Paella was born in the rice fields just south of the city. Inland, the Utiel-Requena wine region also makes cava. ✨

Got a football-mad kid? (We do.) Valencia CF plays at Mestalla, one of Spain’s oldest stadiums.

The trade-offs

July and August are hot and humid, which is hard going with small children. Spanish life runs late, and dinner at 9 pm takes adjusting to with a toddler.

Popularity brings pressure on rents in central neighbourhoods, so check current listings rather than older budget figures. Public schools teach in Spanish and Valencian, which some kids love and others find a steep climb.

Visa route for families

Non-EU families usually look at Spain’s teleworking residence visa, which can include a spouse and minor children. The income requirement is tied to Spain’s minimum wage and changes every year, so check current details with Spain’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs. EU families like ours don’t need a visa. More in our Moving to Spain with Kids guide.

7. Lisbon, Portugal

🔎 Researched, not visited yet

Lisbon was the European nomad family base for years, and it still comes up constantly. But the conversations in family groups have changed. Families talk about high rents, long searches for a decent place, and a city that feels more expensive than its reputation.

Who Lisbon suits

Families with a solid budget who want an established international community, mild weather and a walkable city. The Cascais train line gets you to beaches like Carcavelos in well under an hour. English is widely spoken, and there’s a wide choice of international schools.

Vegetarian families will do fine, and pastel de nata counts as a food group. 🥐

The trade-offs

Housing is the big one: expect high prices, strong competition and a long search. Our guide to accommodation for nomad families has tips for tight rental markets.

The steep hills and slippery cobblestone pavements are hard going with prams. Immigration appointments can take a long time. For a lighter budget with a similar feel, Porto is worth a serious look.

Visa route for families

Portugal’s D8 Digital Nomad Visa requires income of four times Portugal’s minimum wage, with extra for each family member. EU families like ours don’t need a visa. Check current details with Portugal’s immigration agency (AIMA), and see our Portugal guide for nomad families.

8. Cape Town, South Africa

🔎 Researched, not visited yet

Cape Town has mountains, two oceans and a wine region on the doorstep. For outdoor families, few cities on this list offer this much nature so close to town.

Who Cape Town suits

Families who live outdoors. You can take the cableway up Table Mountain, see the penguin colony at Boulders Beach, and picnic in Kirstenbosch botanical garden. Muizenberg is a well-known spot for beginner surfers. The Stellenbosch and Franschhoek winelands are an easy day trip. 🍷

The time zone lines up with Europe, and the seasons match Australia’s, so summer runs from December to February. International schools are well established. Our international schooling guide explains the main curricula.

The trade-offs

Safety varies a lot by area, and local advice on where to live and when to walk matters. Most families find they need a car.

The Atlantic side is cold for swimming, even in summer. Inequality is very visible, which prompts conversations worth being ready for with kids.

Visa route for families

South Africa’s Remote Work Visa is for people employed by or doing business with overseas companies, with a minimum annual income requirement. Family members can reportedly be included. Check current details with South Africa’s Department of Home Affairs, and see our South Africa guide.

9. Mexico City, Mexico

🔎 Researched, not visited yet

Mexico City is huge, and it can feel intimidating from a distance. But families who move here often say it feels like a collection of neighbourhoods rather than one giant city.

Who Mexico City suits

Families who love museums, food and big-city energy. Chapultepec Park is larger than many towns, and it holds the National Museum of Anthropology, one of the best museums in the Americas for curious kids. At weekends, families ride colourful trajinera boats through the canals of Xochimilco.

Roma and Condesa are leafy, walkable and full of cafés. Vegetarian eating is easy: look for quesadillas, tacos with nopales (cactus), and a big vegan scene.

The trade-offs

At around 2,240 metres, the altitude can leave you breathless for the first few days. Traffic and air pollution are real.

The city sits in an earthquake zone and runs a public alert system, so learn what to do when the alarm sounds. Safety varies between neighbourhoods.

Visa route for families

Mexico doesn’t have a digital nomad visa. Families staying long term usually apply for temporary residency at a Mexican consulate before they travel, showing income or savings, plus extra for each family member. The amounts vary between consulates, so check with your nearest Mexican consulate. More in our Mexico guide for nomad families.

10. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

📍 We’ve been here: as a couple, on our two-year world trip 12 years ago

Saigon was one of the stops on our two-year trip around the world, long before Louie and Leo, and we loved it. We rode through the city on the back of a local’s scooter, which is still one of the best ways to understand how Saigon moves.

We took a day trip to the Cu Chi Tunnels, a sobering and fascinating look at the war’s history. And we ate some of the best vegetarian food of the whole trip. The city has changed a lot since then, so the family details below are researched.

Who Ho Chi Minh City suits

Families who like big-city energy and want strong international schools. Thao Dien, across the river from the centre, is where many international families live, with green space, cafés and schools nearby.

The Cu Chi Tunnels make a powerful worldschool outing for older kids like Louie. The tunnels are tight and dark and the history is heavy, so they suit older children better than toddlers.

The trade-offs

Traffic is intense, the heat is constant, and air quality can be poor. It’s a lot more city than Da Nang, and there’s no beach.

Visa route for families

The same as Da Nang: a 90-day e-visa, with no digital nomad visa. Check current details on Vietnam’s official e-visa portal.

11. Tallinn, Estonia

🔎 Researched, not visited yet

Tallinn pairs one of Europe’s best-preserved medieval old towns with one of the world’s most digital governments. It’s calm, compact and quietly efficient.

Who Tallinn suits

Families who value safety, order and nature close by. The UNESCO-listed Old Town is a history lesson in itself, Kadriorg Park is lovely for young kids, and the Telliskivi Creative City has markets and cafés.

In summer, the long light evenings and Baltic beaches like Pirita make the city feel very different. Helsinki is about two hours away by ferry. Internet is excellent too: see our internet speed guide to 50 cities.

The trade-offs

Winters are long, dark and cold, with only a few hours of daylight in December. The community can take longer to break into, and Estonian is a hard language. Summer is short, so time your stay carefully.

Visa route for families

Estonia’s Digital Nomad Visa requires gross income of at least €4,500 a month over the previous six months. Family members apply separately. EU families like ours don’t need a visa. Check current details with the Estonian Police and Border Guard Board, and see our Estonia guide.

12. Penang, Malaysia

🔎 Researched, with a family connection: my mum lived here as a teenager

My mum spent part of her teenage years in Penang, and she still talks about it with real warmth. One of her favourite memories is how much the locals loved her mum’s blonde curly hair. We haven’t been ourselves yet, but her stories are a big reason it’s on this list.

Who Penang suits

Families who love food and culture. George Town’s heritage streets are UNESCO-listed, and Malay, Chinese and Indian influences shape everything from the hawker stalls to the festivals. That mix makes vegetarian eating easy.

The funicular up Penang Hill is a winner with kids, and the island has good private healthcare. Our health insurance guide for nomad families covers how to access it.

The trade-offs

It’s hot and humid all year, with no cool season to look forward to. Some years, haze from regional fires affects air quality. Traffic on the island can be slow, and many areas aren’t pram-friendly.

Visa route for families

Malaysia’s DE Rantau Nomad Pass is built for remote workers. It runs for 3 to 12 months, can be renewed once, and covers a spouse and children under 18. Check current details with MDEC, the agency that runs the programme, and see our Malaysia guide.

13. Prague, Czech Republic

📍 Marty’s been here (before the kids). The rest of us haven’t, yet.

Prague was one of Marty’s favourite stops when he backpacked across Eastern Europe by train in his early 20s. He still talks about the colourful baroque buildings, the Gothic spires over the rooftops and the medieval Astronomical Clock in Old Town Square. Friends who’ve seen much of Europe keep telling us the same thing: Prague ended up being their favourite.

Who Prague suits

Families who want a central European base with real city infrastructure. Trams go almost everywhere, and kids ride free on Prague’s public transport (check the current age rules). Car-free family life is realistic here.

Prague is also well placed for exploring. Dresden, Vienna and Berlin are all within a few hours by train. For wine-loving parents, Czech whites from Moravia are a quiet surprise, and Prague still has working vineyards inside the city. 🍷

Got a football fan? The Sparta versus Slavia rivalry is one of the fiercest in Central Europe. Louie would love it.

The trade-offs

Winters are long, grey and cold, and the dark months need real preparation. Czech is a hard language to learn, although English works in most cafés and shops.

Rents in the popular expat neighbourhoods have risen, so good value usually means looking a little further out. The Old Town is packed in summer.

Visa route for families

EU families can live here freely. Non-EU families can look at Czechia’s Digital Nomad Program, but it’s limited to certain nationalities (including Australia) and to people working in IT, STEM or marketing. Spouses and children can apply too. Check current details with the Czech Ministry of Foreign Affairs. More in our Czech Republic guide.

Our plan

Take the night train from Amsterdam, fall asleep in the Netherlands and wake up in Czechia. Then find out whether the Astronomical Clock impresses Louie and Leo as much as it impressed Marty.

14. Split, Croatia

📍 We’ve been here: as a couple, before the kids

Marty and I camped near Split and took a boat out to one of the nearby islands. It’s a lovely way to see the coast on a budget, and the islands are what make Split more than a city break.

Who Split suits

Families who want sea, sunshine and islands. Diocletian’s Palace isn’t a museum: it’s a Roman palace people still live and shop inside. The Riva promenade is made for evening walks, and ferries run to Brač, Hvar and Šolta.

At Bačvice beach, locals play picigin, a shallow-water ball game Louie would love. Marjan Hill, a forested park on the edge of town, is great for walks and bike rides. Croatian wines like Plavac Mali and Pošip are worth discovering. 🍷

The trade-offs

Summers are crowded and expensive, and long-term rentals can be harder to find when owners switch to holiday lets. Winters are very quiet, and many businesses close. The old town’s stone steps and polished stone streets are tough with a pram.

Visa route for families

Croatia’s Digital Nomad temporary stay allows up to 18 months, and family members can join through family reunification. The income requirement is tied to Croatia’s average salary. EU families like ours don’t need a visa. Check current details with Croatia’s Ministry of the Interior (MUP).

15. Budapest, Hungary

📍 We’ve both been here, separately: me on a solo trip, and Marty earlier with friends

I visited Budapest on a solo trip and met up with a friend who grew up there (he lives in Paris now). Having a local show me around made all the difference. It’s a beautiful city, the wine was great, and everything felt noticeably cheaper than the Netherlands.

Who Budapest suits

Families who want grand European city life for less than Western European prices. Thermal baths are part of local life. Margaret Island, in the middle of the Danube, has playgrounds, a running track and a musical fountain.

Tram 2 along the river is one of the most scenic rides in Europe. Kids love the Children’s Railway in the Buda hills, run largely by children themselves. For food, lángos (fried bread with toppings) is a vegetarian street-food hero, and wine lovers have Tokaj and Eger within reach. 🍷

The trade-offs

Winters are cold and grey, and Hungarian is famously hard to learn. Some thermal pools have age limits for children, so check before you go.

The big one is the visa. For non-EU families, Budapest mostly doesn’t work.

Visa route for families

Hungary’s White Card requires €3,000 a month net income, and family members of White Card holders can’t get family reunification permits. That makes it unsuitable for non-EU families. EU families like ours can live here freely. Source: Hungary’s official White Card factsheet.

16. Panama City, Panama

🔎 Researched, not visited yet

Panama City is a mix of glass towers, a UNESCO-listed old quarter and rainforest inside the city limits. Few capitals have this much going on for curious kids.

Who Panama City suits

Families who want modern comforts in a tropical setting. Watching a ship pass through the Miraflores Locks on the Panama Canal is a worldschool lesson in engineering and trade. Casco Viejo, the old quarter, is lovely for wandering.

The Biomuseo tells the story of how Panama’s land bridge changed the planet, and Metropolitan Natural Park is a patch of real rainforest inside the city. Panama uses the US dollar, which makes budgeting simple for many families.

The trade-offs

It’s hot and humid all year, with a long rainy season. The city is built around cars and high-rises, so walkability is limited outside a few areas.

Visa route for families

Panama’s Short Stay Visa for Remote Workers is designed for people earning from overseas companies. We couldn’t confirm the rules for children, so check with Panama’s National Migration Service. The Friendly Nations Visa, often mentioned online, requires local employment or a property purchase, so it doesn’t suit most nomad families. More in our Panama guide.

17. San Miguel de Allende, Mexico

🔎 Researched, not visited yet

San Miguel de Allende is a colonial town of cobblestone streets, painted walls and the pink spires of its famous parish church. It’s small, artistic and slow-paced.

Who San Miguel suits

Creative families who want a small-town pace. There are art and craft classes for all ages, busy markets and festivals, and hot springs just outside town. The mild climate is one of its big draws.

The trade-offs

At around 1,900 metres, it’s high, and the steep cobblestone streets are hard with a pram. The international community leans towards retirees from the US and Canada, so there may be fewer families than you’d expect.

There’s no airport in town: the nearest ones are around an hour or more away.

Visa route for families

The same as Mexico City: temporary residency, applied for at a Mexican consulate, with amounts that vary between consulates. Check with your nearest Mexican consulate.