Krakow and Warsaw: the close-spirited new Europe

After moving from Ukraine to Warsaw or Krakow, you won’t experience cultural shock. There are many Russian-speaking people in Polish cities, so adapting will be easy.

In both the current and former capitals of Poland, renting an apartment near the city center costs around $500–700 per month. Both cities are full of freelancer-friendly cafés. At Tektura Coffee, for example, there’s a large table set up specifically for working with laptops. There are power outlets, free Wi-Fi (which is rare in cities like Berlin), and tasty filter coffee or lattes for just €3. You can work there for hours, and they’ll be happy to have you.

There are at least 10 coworking spaces in central Warsaw. BoBo Coworking and HubHub are especially good. A desk costs from $170/month. In Krakow, at the MOCAK Museum of Contemporary Art, there’s a library that feels more like a gallery: white walls, quiet, full of books and art editions. You can work with your laptop there as long as you like.

These cities are also closer to both home and the rest of Europe. It’s easy to travel for vacations or return home whenever you miss it.

Lisbon: warm but not too exotic

A one-bedroom apartment in Portugal’s capital starts at €500/month. The average temperature in September is 26°C, and in December it’s around 15°C. In Polish cities — just like at home — fall and winter are cold and rainy.

In the Forbes ranking, Lisbon ranks second among top cities for freelancers. There are many cozy coffee shops, and between work sessions you can relax in parks or by the ocean. The metro, trams, and buses make getting around easy. A ride costs slightly more than in Poland — €1.35.

Tallinn: cozy and homey

Don’t like big, crowded cities? Then try Tallinn. The Estonian capital has a population of 426,000 — four times less than Warsaw. Renting a flat near the center costs around €500. The city is compact and cozy, and it resembles Lviv in many ways. You’ll find plenty of laptop-friendly cafés in the city center. Coworking desks start at €6/day. The climate isn’t like Portugal’s: June averages just 19°C. Autumn and winter feel just like home.

Berlin: life straight out of “99 Francs”

If you're looking for rich cultural life — Berlin is your city. There are parties, gallery openings, and new venues every day. A two-bedroom apartment 20 minutes by metro from Alexanderplatz costs around €1000/month. These are typically fully furnished, IKEA-style flats.

There are plenty of great coworkings. A desk at Kaos starts from €125/month, while Frits46 starts at €140/month. Coffee shops are everywhere, but some have Wi-Fi time limits (like one hour max). Transport and groceries cost about 1.5 times more than in Poland.

Chiang Mai, Thailand: exotic and slow life

Thailand is a freelancer’s Mecca. It’s warm, affordable, and perfect for a laid-back lifestyle. Between work sessions, you can go hiking or visit temples.

Accommodation in Chiang Mai costs around $150–200. That gets you an IKEA-style apartment with A/C and internet. There aren’t as many good cafés with Wi-Fi as in Europe, but if you search, you’ll find great spots. Try the Yelp app. Personally recommended: Bella Goose Coffee and Akha Ama. Good coworking spaces also exist, like Elephant Coworking.

Earn $5,000/month freelancing

If you want to stay in Europe without straying too far from home — pick Warsaw, Krakow, Berlin, or Tallinn. If you're after warmth and adventure — choose Lisbon or Chiang Mai. All of these cities are perfect for freelancers: relatively affordable housing, lots of cafés, coworking hubs, and good public transport.

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