$PlaybookYerevan
Armenia
150 Mbps
8/10
8.5/10
7/10
🌟
Rising Stars
Under the radar, ahead of the curve
These cities haven't hit the Bali or Lisbon level of hype yet — which means affordable rents, less competition for coworking desks, and a nomad community that still feels like a community.
12 cities
$Playbook8.2
$PlaybookKotor
Montenegro
100 Mbps
8/10
8.5/10
7/10
$PlaybookNovi Sad
Serbia
150 Mbps
8/10
8.5/10
7/10
$PlaybookAgadir
Morocco
80 Mbps
7/10
8/10
6/10
$PlaybookCebu
Philippines
100 Mbps
5/10
7/10
9/10
$PlaybookGalle
Sri Lanka
80 Mbps
8/10
8/10
8/10
$PlaybookTirana
Albania
35 Mbps
7/10
7/10
5/10
$PlaybookKigali
Rwanda
30 Mbps
4/10
8/10
6/10
$PlaybookBansko
Bulgaria
100 Mbps
8/10
8/10
5/10
$PlaybookBaguio
Philippines
50 Mbps
6/10
7/10
9/10
$PlaybookBatumi
Georgia
80 Mbps
7/10
8.5/10
6/10
$PlaybookCluj-Napoca
Romania
200 Mbps
8/10
8.5/10
8/10
Frequently Asked Questions
How is the Rising Stars list ranked?
Cities in this list are ranked using verified data from Numbeo (cost of living), Speedtest Global Index (internet speeds), Numbeo Crime Index (safety), and nomad community density signals. Each city's position reflects its overall score on the specific criteria most relevant to this list — not a generic "best city" ranking.
How do I get more detail on a specific city?
Click any city card to open its full guide — you'll find monthly cost breakdowns, coworking space picks, neighborhood overviews, visa requirements, and an AI chat to answer follow-up questions. Each guide is updated quarterly.
Can I compare cities from this list side by side?
Yes — use the City Comparison tool at settlednomad.com/tools to compare up to 4 cities across 20+ metrics including rent, coworking costs, internet speed, safety score, and nomad score. Useful for narrowing a shortlist.
How often is this city list updated?
City data is refreshed quarterly from primary sources. Visa availability is updated within 30 days of official government announcements. If a city's position seems off or data looks stale, email hello@actyra.com and we'll prioritize a refresh.