The best accommodation for you as a digital nomad is the one that best fits your needs, budget, preferences, and schedule. Consider how long you plan to stay, what level of luxury you want, and how much you’re willing to share.
Here are some of the best accommodation hunting strategies for both solo nomads and those who prefer to cohabitate.
Search online groups
As a digital nomad, you already know that social media is a precious resource. Take advantage of the various housing and rental groups and boards on the platforms you frequent. There’s usually a wide variety of rentals (short- and long-term), sublets, house sharing arrangements, etc.
You can also put together and publish ads of your own, stating what kind of accommodation you’d like and for how long, and see if anyone has what you’re looking for. This approach tends to be more successful in large urban environments.
Finally, don’t forget the power of networking. Connect with other digital nomads who work in the same area as you. They might have recommendations for great accommodations, reasonable landlords – and conversely, people and addresses to avoid. And who knows? You might even make a new friend or business partner along the way!
Compare Marketplaces
Facebook Marketplace and similar spaces allow for a lot of flexibility in your accommodation quest. You can specify your minimum and maximum budget, accommodation type and configuration (number of bedrooms, bathrooms, amenities, etc.), and your desired space in square metres or square feet.
Use virtual marketplaces to search affordable apartments for rent in any given location and compare them to snag the best deal. This is an excellent way to pick a destination when you’re wondering where to go next. For example, the same apartment configuration will come at very different rates in Brisbane, Australia vs. Austin, Texas.
With a smart Marketplace comparison, you can score some stellar arrangements. Try to aim for destinations where your home currency is stronger than the local one. That way you can get the same value for far less actual money spent.
Stay on the move
If stationary accommodations aren’t really your style, try jet-setting around the world with your work in tow. After all, the very definition of a nomad is someone who is constantly on the move. If you choose to go this route, your accommodation options will open up in whole new directions.
Instead of staying confined to urban living, you can go camping, glamping, cruising, backpacking, or even living out of a rented vehicle on the vast open roads. This is perfect for the digital nomad with an adventurous spirit.
All you need is independent internet access and a portable machine that can handle your workload. Depending on what you do, this could be a standard laptop, a convenient little tablet, or a single recording device.
Make the space itself a gig
If you prefer to stay on a strict budget while you work and travel, you can find accommodations for free in exchange for house sitting or pet sitting services.
Platforms like Trusted Housesitters have members all around the world and connect travelling homeowners and/or pet owners with responsible sitters looking to crash somewhere affordable.
Such platforms tend to require a membership fee as a way of dissuading non-committed or irresponsible users. They also usually offer security services such as free background checks, insurance against theft, and insurance against property damage.
Arrangements like these are ideal for digital nomads who themselves own pets or property. It can be a two-way street where an equally responsible fellow nomad can take care of your home when you need to leave and can’t bring your dear critters with you.
Consider a co-living space
Co-living spaces are sort of like the LinkedIn of hostels. You share the space, amenities, and expenses, but instead of your roommates being a bunch of randomly arranged tourists, they’re a collection of fellow professionals. It’s a golden networking opportunity.
The biggest upside of co-living spaces (besides affordability) is the close-knit network of fellows in your field. In this type of accommodation, the people sharing the space work in the same or related industries, have a similar professional outlook, and share creative interests.
Although co-living roommates aren’t obliged to work together, they often do. The arrangement naturally encourages cooperation. Your roommates will be going through similar professional challenges, and it often prompts discussions, brainstorms, and bottleneck breakthroughs.
To sum up, finding ideal accommodations as a digital nomad can be quite challenging, but it doesn’t have to be difficult. If you strategize a little and take advantage of dedicated online resources, you can even find some unexpectedly good deals.
Consider house sitting or pet sitting in exchange for lodging. Utilise social media groups and virtual marketplaces for comparing costs to benefits. Try out a co-living arrangement with other nomads in your industry, or go full adventurer and jest-set around the globe for the ultimate modern-day nomadic experience.
