The best place to live as a digital nomad, according to an AI developer who visited 40 different countries

According to data from Numbeo, a website that provides crowdsourced summaries of the cost of living in major global cities, the estimated monthly costs of a single person in Bangkok are around $670 without rent and roughly $530 in Chiang Mai.

While Levels said Bangkok is getting more expensive, he still recommends Chiang Mai as a more affordable option.

“I think when you’re starting out, it’s a great place,” he said. “The air quality sucks, it’s a big problem. And it’s quite hot. But that’s a very cool place.”

Levels also expressed love for Brazil, which ranked 7th in the Expat Insider report, although he said that the country’s “safety issue” is still a problem.

“It’s like in America — it’s localized,” he said. “So if you go to the right areas, it’s amazing. Brazil’s amazing. If you go to the wrong areas, maybe you die.”

Brazil ranked in the bottom 10 for political stability and personal safety, at 48th and 52nd, respectively, according to the study. However, the country came in first for friendliness toward foreign residents, with 92% of respondents positively rating this factor.