Accommodation is often one of the most difficult aspects of digital nomad life and finding places to stay in each new destination can be exhausting! If you’re not sure what kind of digital nomad housing is out there or are wondering which is the best digital nomad accommodation for you, I’ve got you covered! In my 9 years as a digital nomad I’ve stayed in a huge variety of accommodations, so let’s compare some of my favourite options for digital nomad stays.
Factors to Consider When Choosing Digital Nomad Accommodation
Deciding where to stay as a digital nomad requires a bit more planning and consideration than booking a standard hotel stay. As you’re likely to be staying in one place for a while, and needing to work while you’re there, these are some of the things you need to consider when choosing accommodation:
- Internet Speed: WiFi is essential for remote work. Ensure the accommodation offers reliable high-speed internet, ideally with screenshots of speed tests if possible. I still like to travel with an eSIM or my own data as a backup just in case!
- Workspace: While I’ve worked everywhere from a hammock to sitting in bed, long-term stays definitely need a dedicated workspace where you can work comfortably. If you can find one with an ergonomic chair that is a nice bonus, but at the very least a table and chair.
- Natural Light: This is a deal breaker for me, having stayed in places with very limited natural light I know that I work and sleep better when I have big windows – ideally with a nice view! I also don’t enjoy being on the ground floor as having the curtains or blind open means you have a lot less privacy.
- Accommodation Amenities: What kind of equipment or amenities do you want in your accommodation? Access to a washing machine or nearby launderette is important for long term stays, and I love to cook instead of eating out all the time – at the very least a fridge for storing food. Depending on the season and temperature, heating or air-conditioning can be useful!
- Location: Consider the proximity to amenities, transportation, and a safe environment – especially if you’re a solo female nomad. Do you want to be close to restaurants and bars (which could be noisy at night) or do you prefer more rural locations (which could have crowing cockerels!). Is living by the sea a priority or do you want good transport options for exploring the region?
- Community: This has become more important to me over the years, as I now spend a lot of time travelling and working on my own, opportunities to connect with other digital nomads for networking and social interaction is very important so I don’t feel isolated and lonely.
- Cost: This depends on your income and budget but there are a wide range of options with different pricing levels, from beginner nomads on a tight budget to experienced nomads with well-paid jobs.
Have a think about each of those and decide what you think might work for you. Then you can find accommodation that should be suitable for your needs.
The Best Digital Nomad Accommodation
Here are some popular nomad housing options to consider for your digital nomad lifestyle:
Airbnb or Rental Apartments
Airbnb started out offering individual rooms to rent in people’s homes and has now grown to epic proportions, to the extent that it is facing a backlash in many cities due to businesses renting out multiple Airbnbs to tourists instead of local people and high prices pushing out locals.
It is still a popular option for digital nomads and families, thanks to the amenities and home-like feel of apartments instead of hotel rooms, but in order to choose your apartment as ethically as possible, try to book apartments rented by individuals and not big businesses, and book for longer stays or a month or more.
Another option could be to search for an individual room in the host’s home, which is how Airbnb started. This wouldn’t give you the community of digital nomads but it could be a good way to meet local people, although it is a gamble as you don’t know if you’ll get on with the host!
Airbnb Alternatives
Airbnb isn’t the only company that rents out apartments, check out these options as well:
Homelike
Homelike is an online booking platform for flexible monthly rentals of furnished rooms and apartments suitable for Digital Nomads and other remote workers, expats and students. They offer flexible move-in and move-out dates and have more than 25.000 listings in Europe, and in other selected markets such as New York City and Dubai.
Flatio
Flatio offers short-term rental apartments for digital nomads, business travellers, students and anyone looking for a fully furnished room or apartment for a short to mid-term stay. There are options for co-living apartments as well as whole apartments, so you can choose which is best for you.
Booking.com
Booking is a good place to look for all sorts of accommodation, including apartments, hotels, hostels and hybrid coliving spaces, but mainly for short stays as they don’t tend to have discounts for long stays. They often have good cancellation terms giving you more flexibility, but sometimes you’ll need to pay in cash on arrival so watch out for that.
VRBO
VRBO (Vacation Rentals By Owner) works in a similar way to Airbnb, but only for whole apartments and homes. It is an online marketplace that connects property owners with people seeking short-term vacation rentals. As part of the Expedia Group, VRBO offers a wide array of properties, including apartments, condos, houses, and unique stays like cabins and beach houses, in over 190 countries.
Pros of Airbnbs & Apartments:
- A wide variety of options and budgets, so you can choose accommodation that suits your specific needs and preferences.
- Amenities like a fully equipped kitchen, laundry facilities, and other home comforts, making it easier for digital nomads to maintain their routines and feel at home.
- Apartment rentals can often be more cost-effective, particularly for extended stays, as they generally offer more space and amenities compared to hotels and are usually cheaper.
Cons:
- The price, quality and consistency of listings can vary so it’s crucial to carefully read reviews and communicate with hosts to ensure a successful stay.
- Limited services like daily housekeeping, concierge assistance, or on-site amenities such as gyms or restaurants – you are living like you would at home, not on vacation.
- Legal and moral concerns over rental regulations and local living opportunities
Digital Nomad Co-living Spaces
Co-living spaces are becoming increasingly popular among digital nomads, and for good reason. These communal living arrangements offer a sense of community and a shared workspace that can be really useful for those who work remotely and providing much-needed human contact!
However, while co-living spaces can provide a great amount of social interaction and opportunities for networking, it’s essential to make sure that you are comfortable with the level of privacy the co-living space provides – especially if there are shared bedrooms and/or bathrooms.
This kind of organised co-living space usually includes all other bills like electricity and Wi-Fi, and often includes a host who either stays with you in the co-living or is on hand to help you with any issues in the house, from ensuring the Wi-Fi keeps working to arranging social events.
Pros of Digital Nomad Co-Livings:
- Community and Networking: Coliving spaces foster a sense of community, providing opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals, collaborate, and share experiences with fellow digital nomads.
- Convenience: Coliving spaces typically offer fully furnished rooms, shared common areas, and amenities like coworking spaces, making it easier for digital nomads to work and live comfortably.
- Events and Activities: Many coliving spaces organize events, workshops, and social activities, enhancing the overall experience and facilitating networking opportunities.
Cons:
- Lack of Privacy: Coliving spaces involve shared living arrangements, which means less privacy compared to staying in an individual Airbnb or hotel room.
- Limited Availability: Even though they are becoming more popular, co-living spaces aren’t available in all destinations, restricting options for digital nomads in terms of location and choice.
- Higher price point: Co-Livings like this can be more expensive than normal flat-shares or even renting your own apartment. In most cases you’re paying extra for the community aspect so it can be worth it if you have the budget.
Hostels
When it comes to travelling on a budget, hostels are the go-to option for backpackers and budget travellers, but they can be good option for digital nomads too, especially those who are just starting out and don’t have the budget for private accommodation.
Sharing a dorm room is one of the cheaper options for digital nomad accommodation, but while it might be cheap, sleeping in a dorm room isn’t the best way to get a good night’s sleep!
Then you have to consider what the communal areas are like, if there are quiet areas where you can work or take calls, and what the WiFi speed is like, and how long you want to stay.
However, it can be a great way to meet other travellers, and if you like the social side of hostels and have a flexible work schedule then you can have a lot of fun staying in hostels.
Private bedrooms in hostels offer more privacy but then the price can sometimes be more expensive than getting your own place, and some private hostel rooms are just as good as hotels, with the added benefits of the social activities and shared spaces.
Pros of Staying in Hostels:
- Budget-friendly accommodation for digital nomads, especially in shared dorm rooms.
- Highly social environment, often in central locations.
Cons:
- Less privacy and less security in shared dorms.
- Can be noisy and not conducive to working, with limited workspaces and sometimes unreliable Wi-Fi.
Hotels
As a digital nomad, living and working in a hotel could be an option for you, although this is really better for short-term stays. There is a wide range of prices and quality when it comes to booking hotels, and while you might find a decent room for your budget, you’ll often have to sacrifice space, light or a workspace.
The quality/price ratio can vary dramatically depending on where you are in the world. Hotels in Thailand are a lot cheaper than hotels in Europe or the US for example, so your money will buy you a lot more luxury and space over there.
Hotels often offer convenient amenities such as high-speed Wi-Fi and 24-hour room service, with staff on hand 24/7. They also offer the opportunity to meet new people and potentially network with other business people and sometimes digital nomads, although the shared workspaces vary greatly depending on the brand and individual hotel. Some may have lounges or areas to work, others may not.
Hotel living can become expensive for long term stays as they are less likely to offer long stay discounts so you pay per night instead of per month. I also find that the lack of personal space is challenging after any more than a few days.
Pros of Staying in a Hotel
- Comfortable accommodation with a high level of services.
- Amenities like on-site restaurant, fitness centre or swimming pools
- Daily cleaning of bedrooms
Cons:
- Expensive for long stays
- Lack of space as you are confined to one room
- Fewer options for shared work areas
- Hotels are often located in commercial or tourist areas, which doesn’t not offer the same level of immersion in the local culture as other accommodation options.
Extended Stay, Aparthotels & Hybrid Hotels
There are also some hybrid hotels which combine the service of hotels with the social aspect of hostels or the space of apartments.
They vary in style and amenities but usually offer more shared areas for co-working and relaxing, but with well-appointed private rooms or apartments with kitchenettes and other facilities.
Pros: Fully furnished, includes kitchen and laundry facilities, more personal space than hotels.
Cons: Can be costly, less flexible in terms of lease duration.
House Sitting & Pet Sitting
House-sitting can be a great option for digital nomads who have a flexible schedule and a love for animals. Caring for someone’s home and pets while they’re away can provide a comfortable and cost-effective accommodation option, while also giving the opportunity to explore a new area.
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Advantages of pet-sitting include the chance to spend time with furry friends and the ability to save money on housing costs, while feeling like you’re at home in a comfortable environment.
On the other hand, it can also be a significant responsibility, requiring time and attention for feeding, exercise, and potential medical needs of the pets. In addition, it can be tough to balance pet care with remote work, especially if the pets have high energy levels or require a lot of attention.
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Pros of House and Pet Sitting:
- Free accommodation (usually subject to membership of a housesitting group or organisation), which usually includes the use of a full house.
- Feeling in a comfortable homely environment with good WiFi
Cons:
- Requires trust and a lot of responsibility, you need to put the animals first before your needs so you have less freedom.
- Not always available when or where you want it.
- Animals can be challenging to care for
Home Exchange
Home exchange, also known as house swapping, is an arrangement where two parties agree to exchange their homes for a set period. This can be simultaneous, where both parties swap homes at the same time, or non-simultaneous, where the exchange happens at different times.
If you have your own home but yearn to travel the world or even take a short workation, home exchanges can be a great way to travel. Some platforms also allow one-way swaps so you don’t even need to have your own place to swap.
There are various platforms that help connect homeowners, from websites requiring membership fees to Facebook groups with more informal agreements.
Pros of Home Exchanges
- Free accommodation (often subject to membership of a house-swapping group or organisation), which usually includes the use of a full house.
- Feeling in a comfortable homely environment with good WiFi
- Wide range of options, from city apartments to countryside houses, offering flexibility in travel destinations.
Cons of Home Exchanges
- Requires a high level of trust, as you’re staying in someone else’s home and vice versa.
- Finding a suitable exchange partner whose home is available when you need it can be challenging.
- Requires significant preparation, such as cleaning and organizing your home for guests.
- Potential complications with insurance coverage and liability for any damages that may occur.
Work Exchanges
Work exchanges can be useful for beginner digital nomads who don’t earn enough to pay for their own accommodation, working part-time in exchange for a room or a bed in a shared room.
By working part-time in exchange for accommodation, it’s possible to stretch tight budgets and kickstart your digital nomad journey without breaking the bank. Plus, you might just find yourself in a more authentic and immersive experience of the local culture than you would have otherwise.
However, work exchanges by their nature means that you spend time working on other projects so don’t have the same time to dedicate to your own work.
Worldpackers is my favourite work exchange site as they have a high level of support, WP Safeguard which means that if something goes wrong they will help you to find an alternative placement (and refund some money towards your accommodation in the meantime) as well as the chance to earn money as you travel through Worldpackers Programs.
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Pros of Work Exchanges:
- Free accommodation (usually subject to membership), although often in shared rooms
- Working with others so you make friends and feel like part of a community
Cons:
- Less freedom and less time to work on your own projects.
- More responsibility as you have to complete the agreed work
- Variable accommodation, often in shared rooms so less privacy
Van Life
If you’re a digital nomad searching for the freedom of van life, it’s important to weigh the pros and cons before making the leap. On the pro side, living in a van offers the ultimate freedom to travel and work from anywhere. Plus, it can be a more cost-effective solution compared to traditional rent or mortgage payments.
However, on the con side, there are potential issues to consider, like where to legally park overnight and how to make sure you have access to electricity and the all important internet. The quality and space inside carmpervans will vary a lot depending on your budget, and how the campervan has been converted, and it doesn’t often look as Instagram-friendly as you might think!
When living in my van in the UK I found it exhausting searching for free camping sites every night, so ended up paying for pitches on official campsites, which had more facilities but pushed up prices.
It’s also crucial to keep in mind the cost of upkeep and maintenance, as repairs can add up quickly, especially with older vans that may seem like a bargain at first but end up costing more in the long run.
Van life also varies a lot depending on where you are. In the US it is more common to life full-time in an RV or campervan, whereas in the UK it is more seasonal, unless you are prepared to go to Europe or somewhere warmer over the winter.
Taking your van to different countries can mean more paperwork and complications at border crossings, and long-term travel can be complicated due to visa restrictions – as a UK citizen I can’t be in Europe for more than 90 days in a 180 day period so I preferred to stay in the UK.
But with the right mindset, budgeting plan, and willingness to adapt to a simpler lifestyle, van life may be the perfect option for the adventurous digital nomad.
Pros of Van Life for Digital Nomads:
- Lots of freedom, ideal for nature lovers
- Can be budget-friendly
- Flexibility to go where you want
Cons:
- Limited amenities, access to electricity and internet no guarantees
- Can be lonely unless you’re in campgrounds with other nomads
- Expensive in the beginning as you need to buy or rent a van and all the proper equipment.
Tips for Choosing the Best Nomad Accommodation for You
Read Reviews
This is a given for booking anywhere really, but try to find reviews from other digital nomads to get information about the quality and reliability of the accommodation. Whereas tourists are usually more focused on the location, digital nomads or remote workers would talk more about the WiFi speed, a workspace and the kitchen equipment.
Check Internet Speed
Digital nomads can’t work without the internet, so use tools like Speedtest to verify the internet speed if you can. Booking sites for digital nomads usually include these details, but in reality it’s not always possible to check.
I always look up co-working options or cafes with WiFi nearby, and I have an eSIM with data that I could use for working if needed. If your job requires heavy data usage then you’ll need to book somewhere where the WiFi is strong enough to cope with it, so that is a definite deal breaker for you!
Look for Discounts
Many co-living spaces and extended stay hotels offer discounts for longer stays. Airbnbs often have long stay discounts for stays over a week or over a month, so staying in one place longer can save you money.
Join Digital Nomad Groups
Online communities on Facebook, WhatsApp or other network can provide recommendations and firsthand experiences. It’s also nice to know where other nomads are so you can join meet-ups and get to know people in the community.
Trial Stays
If possible, book a short trial stay before committing to a long-term arrangement. There is nothing worse than signing a contract for 3 months only to find you hate the accommodation (speaking from experience here!).
While you can usually manage short term stays that don’t work out, staying longer in a destination can have benefits like feeling more settled, and being more productive at work, but with a higher risk that you’ll end up stuck somewhere you don’t like.
Final Thoughts on Choosing the Best Digital Nomad Housing
When it comes to finding the perfect place to call home, there are a lot of factors to consider. Understanding your needs is the first step in making the right decision so you’ll want to think carefully about your budget, lifestyle and preferences when selecting the type of accommodation that’s the best fit for you.
Whatever you choose, remember that it’s important to consider all of your options carefully to ensure that you make the choice that’s best for you. After all, your temporary home is where you’ll spend a lot of your time, so it’s important to find a place that feels comfortable and suits your needs.
If you’ve got any more suggestions for digital nomad accommodation I’d love to hear them, please leave me a comment below and I’ll check it out!
