In a recent report, the online learning provider Preply ranked the 74 best cities for a workation worldwide. Belfast ranked no. 23 out of 74 cities around the globe.
Workcations combine work and vacation – booking a mountain cabin for a week while working a full-time job remotely, for example. They became popular early in the pandemic, as many digital workers fled cramped apartments during lockdowns. Workcations are an evolution of ‘bleisure’: travel combining business and leisure trips.
Preply’s study considers three areas of research: 1. quality of life, 2. climate and environment, and 3. costs and safety. Each city has been given a total score, with the best score representing the city’s quality for professionals to work remotely.
Here are the 25 best cities for a workation in 2023, according to Preply:
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Brisbane, Australia
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Lisbon, Portugal
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Nicosia, Cyprus
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Taipei, Taiwan
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Ljubljana, Slovenia
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Helsinki, Finland
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Vienna, Austria
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Auckland, New Zealand
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Ottawa, Canada
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Reykjavik, Iceland
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Tallinn, Estonia
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Madrid, Spain
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Tel Aviv, Israel
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Copenhagen, Denmark
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Prague Czech Republic
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Vilnius, Lithuania
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Sydney, Australia
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Lucembourg, Luxembourg
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Barcelona, Spain
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Oslo, Norway
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Bratislava, Slovakia
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Melbourne, Australia
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Belfast, United Kingdom
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Athens, Greece
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Munich, Germany
Belfast, no. 23 out of the 74 cities in the study for a workation
Belfast was ranked 23rd, with the highest category being “costs and safety,” scoring 82, and “quality of life” at 80.
Belfast is a relatively inexpensive city to live in, and a big part of the attraction is the lower living cost compared to mainland Britain.
With plenty to do in the city and many countrysides and the sea, of course, on your doorstep, Belfast gives remote workers plenty of fun things to do in their free time.
Here rent for a one-bedroom apartment will cost you £866.15. Data showed that healthcare in Belfast is good, and pollution levels are low.
The best city for a workation overall is Brisbane in Australia
The best ‘workation’ city overall is Brisbane, with a total score of 100. Brisbane is a city that lives up to its sunny potential with a strong focus on the outdoors – think al fresco dining, picnics by the river, islands just off the coast, and national parks.
Add to this a dynamic cultural precinct, abundant wildlife, and easy access to nearby icons like the Gold Coast and Great Barrier Reef, and you’ve got a remote working destination you can’t say no to.
Here rent for a one-bedroom apartment will cost you 1,714 AU, and you can enjoy 229 sunny days per year. For those looking for a comfortable temperature, you can enjoy an average of 22°C.
The worst city for a workation overall is Jarkarta in Indonesia
Jakarta was the last out of the 74 cities in the study. Jakarta scored low in all three categories of climate/ environment, costs and safety, and quality of life. Although the housing prices are affordable, Jakarta scored high for pollution and low for safety as well as human rights.
Amy Pritchett, Culture Success Manager at Preply, says:
“‘We’ve been taught to keep work and play apart. Yet more of us are still taking workcations, years into the pandemic – and reaping the benefits. The trend could be here to stay. Employees greatly appreciate their freedom and better quality of life, and it’s a great way to discover a new culture, learn a new language and travel the world.
Adventurous workers have decided to become digital nomads or settle in exotic, exciting cities far from home. Equipped with a laptop, smartphone, and all the technology and software needed to connect with bosses and colleagues seamlessly, you can work from anywhere in the world.”
To view the ‘Workation Index Report,’ visit: https://preply.com/en/blog/
