As remote work gains popularity Digital Nomad accommodation becomes a new trending search term online. The world has been more accessible for us for a long time already, but COVID19 made us appreciate that privilege on a whole new level.
And since working remotely is so easy and efficient these days, why wouldn’t we prefer that? Even though many studies show that most Digital Nomads are actually freelancers and entrepreneurs, employees are slowly but surely infiltrating this group.
Of course there are still jobs that are impossible to perform remotely, like being a nurse, etc. But the industries that are boasting the highest numbers of Digital Nomads are:
- IT and technology
- media
- advertising and PR
- marketing
- arts
- culture
- entertainment.
So, if you’re already working in one of these industries, or wish to work remotely and thus consider these, you still need a roof over your head. Research has proven time and time again that the number one factor that Digital Nomads focus on when choosing accommodation is cost.
Which is understandable in a cost of living crisis. After cost of living Digital Nomads ranked sunshine, safety, wifi quality and healthcare services as the most important factors they are looking for when choosing a remote work destination. The most popular remote work countries at the moment are:
- Portugal
- Thailand
- Spain
- Argentina.
But what sort of accommodation should one look for when heading to one of these destinations? Let’s find out!
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Digital Nomad Accommodation Options
While big corporations try to force their employees back to the office, especially the younger generations refuse to conform. With statistics globally showcasing that working from home has increased productivity instead of decreasing it, it’s pretty clear that the only motivation behind this is control.
Old men in charge of some of the biggest organization in the world don’t like the idea of losing even a little bit of the control they have on their employees. But they forgot that without employees there are no corporations. And that the ways to make money online have multiplied within just the past 2 years.
So, if an office environment is nothing short of an excuse for quiet quitting, let’s look at Digital Nomad accommodation as an alternative. The world is open for us so why would anyone want to be stuck in a place like an office??
Coliving spaces
Coliving spaces are probably one of the cheapest Digital Nomad accommodation options out there. These days they are specifically designed with the needs of remote workers in mind. Aren’t they the same thing as hostels, though?
No, not quite. Even though in many ways similar, coliving spaces are often more like AirBnBs but with an added social element.
There are several different types of coliving spaces with the most common ones being:
- Dormitory-style shared rooms
- Single private rooms
- Shared apartments
- Single private apartments
These are generally independently owned, although chains that offer packages to remote workers are starting to appear as well. As popularity grows we can expect to see more chains like Selina.
You choose between staying in a villa, a boutique-style hotel, or an apartment building in a city or in a rural area. The choice is yours!
How much do coliving spaces cost?
As one of the cheapest options for Digital Nomad accommodation, there are options available for every price point. With the price you get a living space that is fully furnished and has everything you need. In general we could estimate that staying in a coliving space will set you back:
- 100 – 500 USD
- 90 – 450 EUR
- 75 – 380 GBP
Hostels
Now, hand up, who has never stayed in a hostel? If you’re one of them, I would recommend caution when choosing this option. Mainly because once upon a time I had to stay in hostels so much that I’m forever traumatised from the over-exposure.
Hostels are quite similar to coliving spaces, but often more community-driven. Yes, you can opt for a private room if you wish, but it’s still quite hard to escape the other co-habitants. Especially for introverts, I would not recommend this option, unless you wish to challenge yourself.
The biggest thing that separates coliving spaces and hostels is that hostels are not specifically built as Digital Nomad accommodation, while coliving spaces are. Hostels don’t often offer working spaces. Instead, they focus on providing dormitory-style accommodation with multiple beds in one room.
Now, if you are traveling solo as a single woman, I personally would not recommend staying in a hostel. Yes, it is completely safe 95% of the time. But having been assaulted many times in the past I would rather avoid risking that 5% altogether. Again, the choice is yours.
On the positive side, hostels are perhaps the best place to meet new people and make friends on your travels. Just make sure you consider these factors when opting for this accommodation:
- Suitability for remote work – is there WiFi, working spaces, plugs, etc?
- Location – central or remote? What services do you prefer to have close by?
- Cost – don’t get hung on the cheap price tag, a party hostel won’t help you focus on work
- Safety: read reviews – price is often not an accurate way to judge a hostel, so always read reviews from other Digital Nomads before booking one.
How much do hostels cost?
The biggest pro for hostels is the fact that they are often the most affordable Digital Nomad accommodation option. Depending on what continent, country or city you are in, the price per night can vary between:
- 15- 50 USD
- 13 – 45 EUR
- 11 – 40 GBP
House sitting / Pet sitting
House and pet sitting are two forms of Digital Nomad accommodation that are on the rise. Basically you get to stay at somebody’s apartment or house for free in return for looking after the accommodation and/or the pets while the owner(s) of the premises are away.
Of course this option comes with its own responsibilities. While staying at a hotel or an AirBnB you probably have a cleaner dropping by. But while house sitting you are in charge of the place and must keep it tidy and in just as good an order as it was when you entered it for the first time.
You can find house sitting websites all over Google, but one of the best ones is TrustedHousesitters. There you can also find pet sitting but another good option for those is Facebook. I haven’t done this myself (yet!) but I have a friend who does pet sitting regularly around Europe and she finds them on Facebook.
Things to make sure of before booking a house sitting:
- getting to know the home owner well beforehand (video call, etc.)
- make sure there is a good WiFi available
- what are the public transportation options around the area / do they have a car available for you
As mentioned, this option is basically free of charge. All you need to pay for is getting there, your personal food costs and actually living there.
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AirBnB
Now, AirBnB is an option (at least in Europe) as long as your travel doesn’t extend over 3 months (90 days). And no, this isn’t only due to visa restrictions, but also AirBnB allows booking an apartment for max 3 months at a time.
And as someone who has done this, I can confirm that this is not the most budget friendly option. But it may be the most convenient while still being cheaper than a hotel.
As Digital Nomad accommodation goes, if your plan is to stay in a destination for a minimum 6 months, AirBnB is a good way to get started. Book one for the first 2 weeks while you search for an actual rental apartment in the area.
On the other hand, if you plan to stay in one place for a month, then another place for another month, AirBnBs work perfectly for that. Again, I can say from experience that that is an exhausting way to live, though. You gotta try it to see it! The pros of living in an AirBnB are:
- they are furnished to the point of having sheets and towels
- always come with a WiFi (even if not with a designated working area)
- usually very well located in a city
- rent and payment details and terms are clear and arranged by AirBnB.
How much do AirBnBs cost?
Now, this is completely dependent on where in the world you’re staying in and for how long. As random examples I can divulge that
- while a weekend in a chalet in the Tatra Mountains in Slovakia costs 280€ for 6 people for 2 nights (about 40€ per person)
- 1 month in Florence, Italy sets you back at least 1 800€ (rent + utilities).
Hotels
First things first, most hotels will not allow you to book a room for over a month (30 days). You may be able to negotiate, but in general, hotels haven’t yet(!) caught up with the rising numbers of remote workers looking for Digital Nomad accommodation.
Thankfully there are already exceptions to this rule, especially on the Northern side of Europe. For example many hotels in Tallinn take Digital Nomads into account already when they are being built.
While this is of course the most expensive option on this list, hotels can provide us all the ‘basic human needs’: food, water, warmth, rest plus safety and security, all with just one investment.
And as mentioned, these days more and more hotels also offer work-appropriate spaces. These can be found either in the hotel premises as co-working spaces or applied in the design of the hotel rooms.
One more personal observation as someone who did spend a year living in a hotel: you can meet the most interesting people while living there. Never underestimate the power that a hotel bar has in bringing people together!
Which one of these would you opt for if your work allowed it? Let’s chat in the comments below! ♥
FAQ
Q: Where do Digital Nomads find accommodation?
A: There are multiple options available for remote workers and Digital Nomads all over the world. Whether you prefer full service in a hotel or the flexibility of a coliving space or a hostel, the choice is yours. Take into account local amenities, public transport, reviews and cost of living while choosing accommodation.
Q: How much do you need to earn per month to be a digital nomad?
A: Again, this depends where in the world it is that you wish to work from. The living costs in North America versus South East Asia can’t even be compared. According to some studies it is estimated, though, that in Europe it’s necessary to earn between 3 000 and 3 900 euros per month to be a digital nomad.
Q: Where do digital nomads usually pay taxes?
A: This depends on where you are from. For example, if you are from an EU country, according to the EU law you pay tax to the country where you spend 6 months or more in one year. But overall, most digital nomads say they pay taxes to their home country or country of residence.
Q: Is AirBnB a good option for digital nomad accommodation?
A: AirBnB can be a great option for Digital Nomad accommodation! But the platform does not accept bookings that are longer than 3 months (90 days). So, if you plan to stay in a destination for longer, a rental apartment is your best option, whereas for shorter stays coliving spaces or pet sitting could work perfectly.
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