Is figuring out where to stay as a digital nomad a nightmare? We’ve got you covered.
In this post, we’re going to show you the easiest ways to find digital nomad housing, so that no matter what you’re seeking, it will be easy as pie to find.
Whether you want to be completely alone or hate feeling like you’re traveling solo, need a fully functioning office space, or are fed up with subpar kitchens, we have options for you.
Working out where to live is a pretty big deal. You could even say it’s the biggest thing you need to figure out before you embark on a trip. When you’re a digital nomad, a normal hotel room just won’t do, most of the time.
Firstly, they work out SUPER expensive as you don’t tend to get a monthly discount. Secondly, there’s almost never a proper office space.
No, we don’t want a small desk directly under the TV where you also make tea and coffee, we mean a dedicated workspace. There is also no kitchen available for you to use in a hotel, which can be a pain.
The number one reason why finding a rental is superior to outstaying your welcome in a hotel is that you’re not on vacation, you’re living in a country. This means you probably don’t want to be living out of a suitcase, and sometimes you just want to kick back as you would at home and relax in your pad.
Regardless of your reason for finding digital nomad accommodation, keep reading so we help you find your next amazing rental.
Airbnb
Airbnb is one of the easiest ways to find short-term accommodation as a digital nomad. The platform allows you to select what type of property you’re looking for, such as a house, apartment, or hotel, as well as the amenities that you need, like a kitchen, washing machine, and WiFi.
While it’s not the cheapest digital nomad accommodation as the cleaning fees and service fees have been growing in recent months, it is the easiest way of securing yourself somewhere to live before reaching the destination.
The benefit of Airbnb is that if you have an issue, you’ll be able to receive help. It’s also a trustworthy platform that millions of people use every year.
One of the best features on the site is the ability to select a flexible stay, which means the platform will compare prices over a certain month to allow you to get the most bang for your buck if you’re not concerned about the exact date of travel.
If you choose to stay in an Airbnb for a month or longer, you’ll often qualify for a large discount, even up to 75% which makes properties on the site more affordable.
Depending on where you want to travel and your budget, you can find rentals for just a few hundred dollars per month. You can also see reviews of the property which helps you to relax knowing you’re not going to be massively underwhelmed and frantically Googling nearby hotels on arrival.
Apartment Listings
The most traditional way to find a rental property is through online apartment listings. These are listed through lettings agencies, and you should ensure they are suitable for you before going ahead with the process.
For example, some may require you to sign a tenancy agreement for an entire year, and if this doesn’t fit with your plans, you should choose another option. Others may request that only residents apply, or have specifications that require you to earn a certain amount of money inside the country.
If you find an apartment listing that suits you, this is one of the most trustworthy options as there is a company in charge of the property which has to comply with legal requirements in the country.
Facebook Groups
Facebook groups are an amazing way to find digital nomad housing. The prices are usually cheaper than on Airbnb and you can often find some of the same properties. In order to find a Facebook group for your destination, try searching for “destination name rentals” or “destination name housing”. There are Facebook groups set up for the most popular places.
Once you’ve been accepted into the group, you can browse the postings from people that are advertising their rental properties or make a post detailing what you’re looking for. One tip is to give as much detail as possible, such as which neighborhood you’d like to stay in, the monthly budget, how long you’re looking to stay, and what internet speed you need. You’ll then be contacted by people who have properties that fit the bill.
While renting digital nomad accommodation from a Facebook group doesn’t offer as much protection as options such as Airbnb, you’ll be supplied with photos before you pay any kind of deposit, and you can figure out the best method of payment with the host.
You’ll also find the prices to be on par with how much you’d pay if you were securing a rental in person.
House-sitting
If you like to move around, you might consider house-sitting. If you’ve never housesat before, the concept is simple. Homeowners go on vacation or on a long-term trip and advertise their house on a site such as Trusted Housesitters.
All homeowners have different requirements— many are looking for someone to take care of their pets while they’re away, but if you’re not an animal lover, don’t worry. You’ll also find people who simply don’t want to leave their property vacant while they’re away. You’ll look after their home in exchange for a free place to stay.
As these are homes, you can trust that they’ll be equipped with all the amenities you need, such as kitchen tools, a TV, and WiFi.
While a large number of the opportunities for house-sitting are on a short-term basis, with a little searching, you can often find medium to long-term options. The best part of house sitting? Your accommodation costs will be a big, fat ZERO.
This is an especially good option for those who have just started their digital nomad journeys and may be limited on funds.
Coliving
Coliving is quite literally digital nomad housing. The idea has been thought up by nomads for nomads and is the ideal option if you’re traveling solo but want to feel a sense of community.
Bills are usually included in accommodation costs, as is usage of the facilities. These compounds normally include a coworking space as well, which means you can benefit from a productive work setup and don’t need to worry about whether you’ll have access to an office.
There are often weekly activities available to participate in, which allows you to bond with other digital nomads on site. These can include surf, lessons, yoga lessons, and movie nights.
Coliving spaces differ and they often have different accommodation options to suit various budgets. You can often select to have your own or share with one or more other nomads.
How To Find Long-Term Accommodation As A Digital Nomad
You have two options when it comes to finding a rental as a nomad. Either, you can pre-book online or you can book a couple of nights in a hotel when you first arrive and ask around.
While asking around can lead to cheaper prices, it’s not the most convenient choice, and you’re not guaranteed a property.
There are plenty of websites to find housing for nomads on. While some are obvious, others you probably won’t have heard of. We hope that you can browse these websites and find your next nomad digital nomad house.
- Airbnb
- Booking.com
- NomadStays
- RemoteBase
- Couchsurfing
- Coliving.com
- HouseStay
- Flatio
- NomadX
- flOasis
- Selina
Final Thoughts On Digital Nomad Accommodation
Finding digital nomad housing doesn’t need to be difficult. In fact, it can be as easy as clicking a few buttons. After all, traveling as a remote worker comes with its own share of challenges (which we’d choose 100x over staying in one place), and housing shouldn’t be one of them.
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