Chris Militzer/Miliman12 Photography
StorageCafe recently ranked major U.S. cities for best places to "remote work," and ranks Alexandria #7 out of 169 locations.
The study notes that Alexandria is ideal for "tethered nomads": "With fast internet, walkable neighborhoods, plenty of coworking spaces and a steadily growing remote-first community, Alexandria blends historic charm with modern digital readiness — perfect for nomads ready to settle in without slowing down."
The top contenders are St. Louis, Mo., followed by Pittsburgh, Pa., and Austin, Texas, which emerge as the cities best suited for those who want to work and play away from home. St. Louis stands out for its lifestyle perks, while Austin ranks as the most digitally ready city nationwide – with plenty of coworking spaces, free Wi-Fi hotspots, and blazing-fast internet. For budget-conscious nomads aiming to cap monthly expenses at $3,000, Midwest cities dominate, led by Springfield, Mo.
To identify the most well-rounded cities for remote workers, StorageCafe created a Live-Work-Play Index that considers:
- Lifestyle
- Digital readiness and work infrastructure
- Safety and health
- Affordability
StorageCafe also noted about Alexandria:
Alexandria comes in strong with a #2 ranking in overall lifestyle, offering a well-rounded mix of leisure spots, outdoor escapes and retail charm. You can stroll the cobblestone streets of Old Town, browse boutiques and cafés along the waterfront or get a dose of nature at Huntley Meadows Park.
Looking to plug in and connect? You’ll be in good company. With 23% of Virginia’s workforce now remote, digital nomads are likely to find a welcoming community of fellow work-from-anywhere pros in this historic-meets-modern hub.
Here's more about the trend from StorageCafe:
Born from the ashes of the 2008 financial crash and supercharged by the COVID-19 lockdowns, remote work sparked a wave of mobile professionals who have since reshaped the economy — and the world around them. In fact, digital nomads helped normalize and mainstream remote work long before the pandemic, directly fueling the explosive growth of co-working spaces in both cities and more remote areas.
Their need for flexible work hubs accelerated the rise of WeWork-style models and inspired new formats like work cafés and co-working/co-living communities. The trend also gave a boost to the self storage industry, as nomads ditched long-term leases and turned to storage units to safeguard their belongings while exploring the world.
Moreover, digital nomads have triggered notable demographic shifts — from population growth in smaller, affordable cities with a high quality of life (think Richmond, VA, and McAllen, TX) to the revitalization of niche communities.
Places like Tampa, Fla., and Portland, Maine — traditionally known as retirement havens — have seen a significant uptick in remote workers in recent years, driving a demographic shift that is helping reshape their economic and cultural landscapes. Once overlooked by young professionals, these locations are now on the radar for their strong broadband, access to nature and lower cost of living.
