Hate going into the office day in and day out and always wished for a freelancer's life? Freelancers have some coveted perks surrounding flexibility and need willpower and a go-getter attitude to keep at it in order to maintain their careers, but sometimes their location makes it difficult to get their jobs done effectively. Then there are those places throughout the world which seem to be tailor-made to suit a freelancer's lifestyle perfectly.
That's where Hoofdkraan, a Dutch freelance platform's study of over 90 countries comes in handy. If you're wondering where in the world to work as a freelancer with the best set-up for success, be it good weather, speedy internet speed, varied and plentiful workspace availability, etc., their findings using 23 ranking factors will be useful for anyone willing and able to take their work virtually anywhere. Heck, isn't that what the freelance life is all about?
Imagine consulting from a charming café in Marseille or writing essays and books beachfront in Miami. Sounds like a dream compared to trying to drown out the endless noise at your local Starbucks or staring at a bare brick wall inside a shared (and outrageously expensive) workspace cubicle.
The study's top 10 findings all seem like wonderful places to visit, and if you can maintain and grow a freelance career there too, it's a bonus beyond one's wildest imagination.
The top ten best cities as per Hoofdkraan for freelancers are as follows, with some of their biggest perks as to why they were chosen:
1.Lisbon, Portugal. Lisbon is an inexpensive place to live, the internet is fast, and it's beach-adjacent. Sounds like a freelancer's dream locale!
2.Miami, Florida, USA. Miami weather is perfect, the internet speed is like lightning, and the quality of life can't be beat. Will Smith knew what he was rapping about!
3.Seville, Spain. Warm weather, totally affordable, and fast internet speeds make Seville a freelancer's home a great place to work from. Hola amigos!
4.Las Palmas, Spain. Another Spanish location with ideal weather, beachfront workspaces, and natural beauty. If you're not distracted by the dreamy surroundings, this seems like a blissful place to work from.
5.New Orleans, Louisiana, USA. There's so much to do in New Orleans; after work, the nightlife is second to none. Plus the internet is fast and the quality of life is extraordinary.
6.Bristol, United Kingdom. The high quality of life, safe surroundings, and a variety of places for freelancers to work from make Bristol a terrific choice for those seeking to head "across the pond."
7.Marseille, France. This small city feels homey, yet the nightlife is pumping. There are lots of places for freelancers to work from, and calling France "home" is something many people have only dreamt of.
8.Bratislava, Slovakia. While not too many people have even considered Bratislava as a place to freelance from, the area's low taxes, inexpensive cost of living, and fast internet make it something to think about.
9.Vancouver, Canada. Peaceful, natural, and close to the beach. Seems like a retreat, but as long as you can get your work done, Vancouver is an ideal place for a freelancer to make a living from. Plus, "freedom of speech" was ranked as a plus by the creators of the study.
10.Porto, Portugal. Safety is important, and Porto is considered a very safe place to live. Add the area's great weather and sandy beaches, and a freelancer can do their job well while enjoying the breathtaking surroundings.
For the full list which ranked 117 cities in all, see the full report.
Are you a freelancer? Here are some tips about obtaining health insurance you may benefit from. You may also be seeking a place to work from aside from your dining room table. Consider a co-working space for a little variety and human interaction.
Have you become inspired to move to one of these top 10 best cities for freelancers? The temptation is understandable. Working freely and in a desirable location make for a dream job scenario!
Airbnb is a great option while traveling, but you should protect yourself from damage charges from unscrupulous hosts.
Airbnb offers an affordable option for people looking to be more comfortable as they travel.
However, there are downsides to staying in a host's home rather than a hotel. Whereas hotels are designed for constant streams of visitors and often have furniture built to last, at an Airbnb, you may be staying on old or cheap furniture that a host is using in order to maximize their profits.
And while most reputable hotels will have regular room inspections from staff to check for any wear and tear, Airbnb damage disputes are oftentimes he said, she said situations. If you are in an Airbnb and something breaks, there are a few steps you should take in order to ensure that you are not on the hook for damages out of your control.
If you're keeping tabs on the art and tech worlds, you've probably been hearing whispers about "NFTs" for the past month. Just over the past week they've entered the mainstream lexicon.
Twitter founder Jack Dorsey made the news for selling his first ever tweet. The app has been teasing paid subscription models and newsletter-like features, but tweets for sale is "the next frontier."
just setting up my twttr— jack (@jack)1142974214.0
The 2006 tweet went up for auction as an NFT, and the current bid is $2.5 Million. But what does it mean to own that? Why would anyone want to? And what even is an NFT?
Long gone are the days when the majority of Americans dreamed about owning a home with a white picket fence.
The traditional American Dream may be on its deathbed, but that doesn't mean a core component of the vision can't survive. It simply takes a diverse perspective. People can still believe they can attain their own vision of success in society with hard work, knowledge, and risk-taking. Investing in today's American Dream may literally mean investing money in our modern economy, starting with our infrastructure.
Real estate investing in particular is a lucrative method that can boost income and secure a better financial future for many. There's always risk involved, but the payoffs can far outweigh the uncertainty. Selecting solid financial investments is about confidence and competence. If you're looking for some advice on this kind of investment, here are a few savvy tips for new real estate investors.
Stick To a Specific Strategy or Niche
Real estate is a challenging sphere of the business world, one that requires several key skills: groundwork knowledge, networking, perseverance, and organization. True knowledge of the real estate market will come with time and experience, but it's a smart idea to select one area of the market and stick to it. This is the best way to attain in-depth familiarity with your specific niche.
First, choose a geographical area close by and then a niche strategy within it, such as house flips, rental rehabs, or residential or commercial properties. By doing so, you can become aware of current inner working conditions in the market and you'll have a better idea of how these trends may change in the future.
Be Vigilant About Viable Financing Options
While it takes money to make money, you don't have to use all your own money. A common misconception about real estate investing is that you must be wealthy to start off. This isn't straight fact, however. A majority of people can test the waters of real estate investing without a lot of initial cash in their pocket.
Aside from traditional financing options from banks and institutions, private lending options can be worthy solutions. Hard money lenders are popular, reasonable choices, and they tend to have fewer qualification requirements upfront. However, be sure to strategically choose a hard money lender to find the best possible fit.
Master the Art of Finding Good Deals
There may be hundreds of thousands of available properties for sale on the current market, but the bulk of them will never amount to the final money-making result you desire. Another great tip for new real estate investors is to use good math to estimate profit. Taking risks is part of the process, but you have the ability to analyze properties and use networking sources to find the greatest deal. You can't win every deal, but you can steadily work towards a thriving financial future.
