15 Most Underrated Cities in the World for Creative Entrepreneurs

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When you’re building something from scratch, whether that’s a startup, a podcast, or the kind of lifestyle that’d make your old boss jealous, the city around you matters. The right place can recharge your creativity and stretch your dollars. It can make those marathon work sessions a little less lonely…or a lot more fun.

Plenty of folks talk about Berlin, New York, and Tokyo, and for good reason. But the truth is, the next big idea is just as likely to be hatched over coffee in a town most of your friends can’t find on the map. I’ve spent enough time chasing WiFi signals and cold brews on five continents to know: underrated cities are where creative people can actually breathe. Less pressure. More room to make mistakes.

For this list, I looked at five things I’ve learned matter most to creative entrepreneurs: affordability, quality of life, community vibe, cultural richness, and ease of doing business. I’ve pitched clients from rooftop cafés in Eastern Europe, launched projects from seaside towns in Asia, and brainstormed until midnight in converted warehouses in South America. These 15 cities aren’t just affordable and community driven…they’re still rough around the edges.

1. Tallinn, Estonia

Tallinn is built for remote workers and independent thinkers. Estonia’s e-Residency program isn’t just tech buzz…it genuinely lets you register a business, sign docs, and bank online no matter where you’re traveling. Tallinn gets how digital nomads live and work.

The beautiful city of Tallinn blends medieval streets with high-speed internet everywhere you look. The Old Town is storybook stuff, but scratch the surface and you’ll find a growing swarm of design agencies, tech startups, and artist collectives. Cafes here double as coworking spaces, and if you want supercharged WiFi and local roasted beans, there are plenty of options…check out Reval Café or the hipster favorite, NOP. 

You’re never far from nature either. Take a day to recharge at Pirita beach or a run through Kadriorg Park. Rent is reasonable, and there’s a quiet confidence in Tallinn’s creative scene that makes it easier to take yourself seriously as a builder. I even have a few friends who have set up their first EU-based businesses here without stepping into a single government office.

• Local tip: Don’t miss Lift99, the startup hub in Telliskivi Creative City, for networking events with locals and international founders.

2. Medellín, Colombia

Forget Breaking Bad vibes…Medellín is reinventing itself fast. The city has become ground zero for remote entrepreneurs, especially in tech, design, and content creation. After visiting here for several days, one thing is clear: it’s got all the energy of an emerging scene, minus the attitude you get in more saturated places.

Medellín is nestled in a lush valley, which means spring weather all year and mountain sunsets that make Zoom calls a little less painful. There are coworking spaces on every block in neighborhoods like El Poblado and Laureles – most with solid coffee, ergonomic chairs, and serious air conditioning. I even closed a major client deal here on a café balcony with a view of the Andes!

Best of all, you’ll find a real community of builders. Weekly meetups draw developers, designers, founders, and writers from every continent. If you’re solo, you won’t be for long. And when it’s time to unplug, the city’s salsa bars and rooftop microbreweries do not disappoint.

Cost of living is laughably low for the quality you get: rent, transportation, and meals are all budget-friendly. Add in the fact that Colombia is investing in the entrepreneurial economy, and you’ve got a city primed for creative growth.

• Small suggestion: Start days at Hija Mia Café. Their breakfast and WiFi makes it the unofficial starting block for Medellín’s international doers.

3. Porto, Portugal

Lisbon’s digital scene is oversubscribed at this point, but Porto quietly hums with its own creative energy. What you’ll notice first? The pace. There’s ambition in the air, but it’s paired with long coffee breaks and riverside strolls that make burnout less likely.

Porto’s cost of living is dramatically lower than the Portuguese capital. Apartments and studios are affordable, even in central neighborhoods like Cedofeita. For less than what you’d pay for a shoebox in Amsterdam, you get a sunlit loft with ornate tiles and enough workspace to sprawl. I once spent an entire rainy week here designing a campaign from a tiled apartment with a river view.

The artistic pulse is everywhere: galleries tucked into 18th-century buildings, street art that rivals London, and indie bookstores that double as event spaces. The design scene is big on authenticity, from Porto’s craft beer dens to its artisan studios. Dig out your laptop at Base Porto, a rooftop green space where creators hang during the day.

Networking is easy. Every week, there’s a meetup for startup founders, app creators, and designers…many in English. If you like food, you’re in luck; Porto’s wine cellars and “francesinha” sandwiches offer a way to network the old-fashioned way: over carbs and excellent conversation.

• Pro tip: For focus sprints, head to Fabrica Coffee Roasters. You’ll find plenty of entrepreneurs hammering out the next big thing in the cool, tile-lined space.

4. Chiang Mai, Thailand

If you’ve spent any time snooping around nomad blogs, you know Chiang Mai gets mentioned…but it’s still overlooked by founders building real businesses. The value for money here is unmatched, plain and simple. Still, for every drop-shipping crowd, there’s a core of genuine makers, designers, and coaches taking their ideas seriously.

Coworking joints like CAMP (at Maya Mall) are open 24/7, with lightning-fast WiFi, regular events, and city views from the top floor. You’ll find artisans, writers, coders, and photographers – most happy to share connections or a mango smoothie. 

Housing is ultra-affordable. For the price of dinner for two in LA, you can rent a modern one-bedroom apartment with a pool…and still have change to Uber across town. The old city is full of affordable cafes and night markets that double as creative playgrounds.

Chiang Mai’s Buddhist temples, green surroundings, and endless street food stalls mean inspiration isn’t hard to find when you hit a wall. And if you’re eager to plug into an expat community, events like TEDxChiangMai and the Creative Chiang Mai collective make it easy. The beauty of Chiang Mai is truly next level, which is why I love visiting here so much.

• Insider advice: Try Art in Paradise for creative date nights, or grab coffee at Ristr8to. The latte art alone is worth the visit.

5. Tbilisi, Georgia

Tbilisi is where East meets West but without the euro-price tag that’s crept up in places like Prague or Budapest. In fact, when I first landed in Tbilisi, I was stunned at how original it feels. The city has its own rhythm: sultry jazz bars, steampunk architecture, and wild, wine-fueled nights.

Georgia is the only country I know of that gives many visitors a free one-year visa on arrival. The government is actively courting remote workers, and it works. Coworking spaces like Fabrika—a combined hostel, creative market, and workspace—bring a nonstop swirl of startups, musicians, artists, and street food vendors.

Tbilisi offers one of the richest wine cultures anywhere (they’ve been at it for 8,000 years). Creative meetups and wine tastings blend together on many nights. Rents are affordable, the cable car views from the Old Town to Narikala Fortress are legendary, and the city’s café culture is on par with much pricier capitals.

If you want a base where you’re not just another digital nomad cliché, Tbilisi’s blend of grit, authenticity, and wild creativity makes it a standout. For more unique attractions, read my guide on the top things to see and do in Tbilisi.

• Must-do: Check out Museum of Modern Art Tbilisi and the nighttime bar scene at Stamba, both filled with fellow creatives and risk-takers.

6. Vilnius, Lithuania

Lithuania’s capital is a best-kept secret in Eastern Europe. The beautiful city of Vilnius is compact, green, and packed with the kind of entrepreneurial energy you get in a city that’s not yet on everyone’s list.

What makes Vilnius shine? The startup scene is alive, boosted by a friendly government and lots of cross-border investment. Tech, design, and green startups thrive here, and the cost of office space is still within reach for solo founders or small teams.

Architecturally, Vilnius is a stunner. Baroque spires and winding streets lead to modern coworking spaces in repurposed factories. There’s a lively alternative scene anchored in Užupis, the city’s self-declared “republic” where artists live, work, and exhibit side by side.

Need inspiration? Take a break in Bernardine Garden or explore the vibrant murals. Cafes like Strange Love are homebase for English-speaking creatives. And you’ll find solid networking opportunities, from fintech meetups to guerrilla art tours.

• Pro Tip: Don’t skip the food. Lithuanian rye bread and local craft beer are surprisingly addicting, and both make creative fuel after long workdays.

7. Puebla, Mexico

Mexico’s Puebla is where old-world charm meets creative hustle, minus the expat density of Mexico City or San Miguel de Allende. The city’s UNESCO-recognized center is ringed by ornate churches and rainbow-tiled facades, and you’ll find the buzz of real Mexican life everywhere.

Puebla’s creative heartbeat shows up in its markets. Talavera tiles, handwoven textiles, and world-famous pottery are everywhere – which means inspiration is literally baked into the architecture. There’s a strong local “maker” culture, and anyone interested in design, craft, or culinary innovation will feel at home.

Coworking has picked up in recent years, with hubs like WORKhaüs and Impact Hub supporting all kinds of entrepreneurs. The digital community is friendly, and most people speak enough English for easy networking. Rent and food costs are low, even in the city center, so you keep more of your hard-earned launch money.

For food-fueled brainstorming sessions, nowhere beats Puebla’s markets. Grab a cemita at Mercado de Sabores and get inspired by the region’s legendary cuisine.

• Local rec: Visit the Callejón de los Sapos on weekends. Local artists, musicians, and antique dealers turn this street into a creative marketplace every Saturday and Sunday.

8. Kaohsiung, Taiwan

Taipei might be the pulse of Taiwan, but if you want up-and-coming energy and elbow room, Kaohsiung is your city. Set on the southern coast, it’s buzzing with new infrastructure, public art, and innovation centers that other Asia hotspots can’t match for the price.

The centerpiece is Pier-2 Art Center, a sprawling complex of art studios, galleries, and pop-up markets built into old warehouses. Here’s where you’ll meet painters, VR developers, and launch-hungry startups mingling over bubble tea. The cost of living is noticeably lower than Taipei, with waterfront apartments going for a fraction of what you’d pay up north.

Kaohsiung is known for its public transport (MRT is fast and clean), and the food scene mixes Taiwanese staples with global cuisine. Networking is surprisingly easy, with tech events and art collectives always open to fresh faces. For remote workers, most cafes (like Old New Café) are laptop friendly, and the city’s university scene means frequent TEDx and startup jams.

After work, the Love River promenade and Cijin Island beaches are close enough for a sunset run or late-night planning sessions. Kaohsiung is where you set up before everyone else catches on.

• Pro tip: Plug into the creative community by attending open-air concerts or design markets at Pier-2. You’ll meet everyone from fashionistas to fintech geeks.

9. Valencia, Spain

If Barcelona is your overachiever friend perpetually on Red Bull, Valencia is the laid-back, multi-talented mastermind who gets things done without breaking a sweat. Here, you’ll enjoy Mediterranean sun but with smaller crowds and far more value. I lived here back in 2016 and it was one of my best life decisions.

Valencia’s government is big on supporting entrepreneurship, hosting startup weekends, grants for young creators, and business-friendly visa programs. The business district is modern, but the creative community is everywhere…in the old city walls, outdoor art installations, and chill coworking hubs like Vortex or Wayco.

Living costs are significantly lower than in Madrid or Barcelona. You get central apartments, fresh seafood, and a daily rhythm that encourages actual downtime. Work-life balance isn’t a buzzword here – it’s reality.

Valencia is also a food lover’s dream, so take your meetings over paella or at Mercado Central. You’ll find cultural events every month thanks to the city’s festivals and design-forward mindset. With its beach and Turia park that spans the city, it’s safe to say that Valencia is one of the most beautiful places imaginable.

• Pro tip: Head to Ruzafa, the city’s creative neighborhood, for secondhand shopping, great brunches, and pop-up art shows.

10. Belgrade, Serbia

Belgrade never tries to impress, which is exactly why it does. The Serbian capital is full of unfiltered energy and a sharp-edged, anything-goes attitude that resonates with people building things from scratch. This is true grit, Balkan-style.

The rent here is some of the lowest for a European capital, especially given the size of the city. From boho Savamala to arty Dorćol, you’ll find endless bars, coworking studios, and local coffee houses like Pržionica – a hub where graphic designers and web developers swap tips over Turkish coffee.

Belgrade’s creative scene is scrappy. Independent galleries, pop-up design fairs, and late-night music venues are the norm. There’s real hunger to build and collaborate, no matter your industry…tech, film, music, or gaming. The nightlife delivers endless networking opportunities, especially in floating clubs on the Danube and Sava rivers.

If you’re seeking a city where imperfect systems and creative workarounds are embraced, Belgrade matches big ambition and boots-on-the-ground practicality.

• Insider hack: Join a local event at Startit Center to quickly plug into the city’s innovation community. You’ll find plenty of folks eager to connect.

11. Amman, Jordan

Amman is young, ambitious, and a true outlier in the Middle East. Its creative community is grassroots, resourceful, and hungry to make an impact. Don’t let the dusty hills and stone houses fool you…there’s a world-class innovation scene here, one that blends centuries-old traditions with bold new ideas.

Design and tech intersect everywhere. Cafes like Rumi or Turtle Green double as informal office spaces, and the Web Summit Middle East has already started putting the city on the digital map. The cost of living is far more reasonable than in Dubai or Tel Aviv, and the sense of possibility is even greater.

Amman also boasts a new wave of makers and social entrepreneurs, especially in storytelling, filmmaking, and design for social good. Language is rarely a barrier; English is common in creative circles. The city’s cultural festivals are overflowing with young talent, experimental theater, muralists, and rising electronic DJs.

If you want to root yourself somewhere with deep history and endless unexplored angles, Amman is an underrated gem in Jordan.

• Don’t miss: Jabal Amman’s arts district or Rainbow Street for galleries, rooftop bars, and creative meetups.

12. Lviv, Ukraine

Even through tough times, Lviv is one of the most resilient, creatively charged cities I’ve ever visited. The city’s historic streets, lined with Austro-Hungarian facades, exude culture and energy…yet it’s the tech and design community that’s really driving growth these days.

Lviv’s coworking spaces, like !FEST Republic and ITEAHub, attract everyone from startup founders to software engineers and artists. The cost of living is among the lowest in Europe for what you get, including modern apartments, hearty meals, and endless opportunities to connect with like-minded hustlers.

The local government supports creative initiatives, and you’ll regularly stumble on art or music festivals in one of the leafy squares. Lviv’s identity has always been shaped by its blend of old and new, east and west, which makes it a place where diverse ideas are welcome…and needed.

Cafes are a serious business here; Svit Kavy is the classic spot for writing sprints or deep-dives into new projects. The slow pace of life outside the city center lets you decompress at the end of those long freelance days. It’s one of the most beautiful places in the Ukraine for these reasons.

• Field note: The city’s Tech Angels community is a powerful resource for anyone looking to find collaborators or investment.

13. Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town is proof that you can have outrageously beautiful landscapes and a hard-working startup culture…all in the same city. I found it impossible not to feel inspired here. Table Mountain looms as a daily reminder that the best ideas happen outside your comfort zone.

Cape Town is now considered Africa’s creative capital. The tech and design sectors are booming, supported by a strong freelance community and a government making it easier to set up shop. Working from Woodstock Exchange or Workshop17 in the V&A Waterfront, you’ll meet digital marketers, app builders, filmmakers, and nonprofit innovators.

The cost of living offers a huge advantage compared to most Western capitals, and there’s a fantastic mix of urban living and seaside calm. Think morning surf before your all-hands meeting, or craft beer meetups with fellow creatives after work.

Cape Town’s beauty and diversity shows up in its fusion cuisine, world-class galleries, music venues, and a social scene that’s both inclusive and ambitious. The city is plugged into global networks, making it easier to go big.

• Must-visit: Truth Coffee Roasting for workspace and people-watching, and the Zeitz MOCAA if you need an afternoon creativity boost.

14. Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam

HCMC is what “hustle” looks like in real time. The noise, speed, and chaos of Vietnam’s financial engine might scare off the unprepared. But for creative entrepreneurs who thrive on energy, Ho Chi Minh City is a goldmine.

The tech and design community are everywhere, from hidden cafes like The Workshop to modern coworking spaces like CirCO or Dreamplex. The city’s vibe is optimistic, and you’ll instinctively find yourself working a bit harder, dreaming a bit bigger. The community skews young and ambitious, with lots of founders, artists, and developers pushing ideas on tight budgets.

Eating here is both affordable and inspirational, with endless street food adventures on every corner. Meetings over iced Vietnamese coffee or hot bowls of pho are standard practice, and every expat can point you toward a creative networking night.

Apartments are a steal for this size of city, and public transport is improving rapidly. Outside work, you’re never far from local markets, indie art spaces, or a scooter ride to Thao Dien’s riverside neighborhood for a change of pace.

• Pro tip: Work from The Launch coworking on Nguyen Trai. You’ll meet hustlers from every background.

15. Ljubljana, Slovenia

Ljubljana isn’t just one of Europe’s greenest cities…it’s also one of its best kept creative secrets. If you want a peaceful, beautiful base with fast trains to the Adriatic Coast or the Alps, this is your home.

The city is clean, walkable, and wired for remote work. Cafes turn into laptop camps by midday, especially along the Ljubljanica River. Slovenia’s government actively supports entrepreneurs, and there’s a close-knit expat network. Lubljana’s youthful energy comes from its university, which keeps the population creative and events calendar full.

The city is ideal if you want to focus, but also crave a bit of weekend adventure, including kayaking, wine tasting, or hiking Julian Alps trails. The cost of living is lower than in most Western capitals, so your money goes much further.

The local design community is talented and international, and it’s easy to find collaborators through hubs like Poligon Creative Centre or the city’s numerous literary festivals. English is widely spoken and making friends is effortless.

• Hidden gem: Metelkova Art Center—a reclaimed army barracks turned art commune—is the place to meet fellow creators and out-of-the-box thinkers.

My final thoughts on these cities for creatives and entrepreneurs 

When I’m building something new, I’ve learned that the usual hotspots don’t tell the whole story. Sure, I’ve had my fair share of brainstorm sessions in Berlin cafés and coworking spaces in New York, but the truth is, the ideas I’m proudest of often came together in the kinds of places that most travelers overlook. In every corner of the globe, there are cities where the coffee is stronger, the rents are lower, and the startup communities are more open…and I’ve felt firsthand how energizing that can be.

The thing about underrated places is just that – they leave room for you to shape the scene. I’ve seen it happen: a late-night conversation at a backstreet wine bar turns into a collaboration, a casual meet-up in a park evolves into a business pitch. For anyone willing to go beyond the obvious, these cities give you the essentials I’ve come to depend on: fast WiFi, fair prices, and a community that genuinely wants you to succeed.

There’s no script here…you get to write your own. I’ve done it from rooftop cafés in Eastern Europe, seaside apartments in Asia, and even from a bench overlooking the mountains in South America. If you’re searching for a home base—or just a fresh backdrop—consider adding somewhere unexpected to your shortlist. That’s where, in my experience, the real creative magic happens.