The digital nomad lifestyle offers an incredible opportunity to travel and explore the world at the same time. It seems a perfect lifestyle, and don’t get me wrong, it is amazing. However, you must remember that while you stay in Kuala Lumpur, Cali, or London, you need to work! And most of us, work at home when we are traveling. I guess you know where I am going: selecting the ideal place to stay can be a challenging task. You need to find the perfect option that will help you to get productive and be a cozy home for relaxation after long excursions. Fortunately, numerous websites can help you find the right home. Find out 10 best digital nomad accommodation websites.
1. Airbnb
No need to introduce you to the famous housing marketplace. The wide range of listening you can find, contributed significantly to its success. Despite the rising costs and its role in gentrification, many of us continue to rely on this website due to its user-friendly interface, and global availability (even in remote villages). Plus, it is pretty safe thanks to the reviews.
Personal tip: consider booking for an initial 15-day period. This allows you to assess the suitability of the place, and if you like it, you can ask the owner to extend your stay and potentially negotiate a more favorable price.
2. Booking
Booking is an excellent choice not only for short-term stays but also for midterm accommodations, offering the flexibility to book not just hotels or hostels but also rooms and flats. The platform’s user-friendly interface enhances the booking experience. Additionally, in the event of a last-minute cancellation by the property owner, Booking provides assistance in finding an alternative, adding an extra layer of security to your travel plans.
3. SwapHouse
If you own a house or a flat and are open to exchanging it with strangers, SwapHouse presents an excellent opportunity. This relatively new platform facilitates home exchanges specifically catering to remote workers and digital nomads, making it more affordable to discover new places around the world, and it is free.
4. Flatio
The platform enables you to explore fully-equipped apartments or rooms available for monthly rentals, making it an excellent choice for those intending to stay for an extended period at a single destination. And the best part is that you don’t need to pay a deposit. It proposes accommodation in over 300 destinations, mainly in Europe.
5. Selina
Selina is a worldwide brand with a presence in many countries, with establishments designed to foster a harmonious blend of work and leisure over an extended period. Tailored for digital nomads seeking both comfort and productivity, Selina not only provides inviting spaces but also organizes activities for guests to partake in.
6. Hostelworld
If luxury isn’t a top priority, or you’re mindful of your budget while traveling, opting for hostels can be a practical choice. Hostelworld brings together thousands of options across global destinations, providing an intuitive interface for easy exploration and booking. Whether you prefer dormitory-style accommodations or private rooms, the platform streamlines the process, making it simple to secure your stay on a budget.
7. Vrbo
If you’re seeking an Airbnb alternative, Vrbo is a good choice. The platform boasts an intuitive interface, ensuring a seamless navigation experience through the wide range of listings available. You will encounter no challenges as you explore the diverse accommodation options and effortlessly finalize your booking on Vrbo.
8. Facebook Groups
For those seeking cost savings, a commitment to supporting local owners, and a desire to steer clear of gentrification, turning to Facebook groups proves to be an excellent option for finding digital nomad accommodations. With no intermediary involved, you can directly communicate with the owner of the flat or room you want to rent for the long term. Just be careful not to be scammed!
9. Nomadstays
The platform is specifically tailored for digital nomads seeking long-term rentals worldwide. While navigating the website, you may encounter occasional glitches as it is relatively new, resulting in a user experience that is not yet 100 % perfect. I like the ability to explore available accommodations categorized under themes such as Island Life or Pet-Friendly.
10. Couchsurfing
If you really are a digital nomad on a budget and can’t afford to pay rent, no worries. There is a solution called CouchSurfing for you. The concept of the website relies on people offering their couch (or a bed) to strangers for free. To ensure productivity, it’s essential to verify whether your couch or bed will be in a common area, if you could have access to a table, how good Wi-Fi is… While Couchsurfing is an excellent short-term solution for saving money, it may not be sustainable for extended periods.
Best Types of Digital Nomads Accommodations
If you are a newby digital nomad, you might be wondering which kind of accommodation is adequate for your new lifestyle. Keep in mind that preferences vary, and what works for me may not necessarily work for you. Drawing from my two years of experience, one of which was spent traveling full-time across the globe, here are the digital nomad accommodations I recommend:
- Short-term rentals: Personally, I value having my own space. While I enjoy socializing, I prefer not to be surrounded by a large number of people. Renting a room for one or two months aligns perfectly with my needs. I ensure the space includes a table and chair for productivity. Having access to a kitchen is crucial for me to cook because I don’t have time (and money) to eat outside every day. Plus, it is a great option to meet local people.
- Co-living spaces: Most of them are specifically for remote workers so they give you exactly what you need from co-working spaces to reliable Wi-Fi connection, passing by events to connect you with other fellow nomads. These spaces cater precisely to the needs of digital nomads, providing a conducive environment for both work and social interaction.
5 questions you need to ask yourself before booking
Regardless of the websites you use to find accommodation, it’s crucial to consider these five questions before delving into different listings:
- What do you need to be productive while working? For example, I need a spacious table, a chair, and a lot of light.
- What amenities do you need in your neighborhood? I prioritize having supermarkets, markets, coffee places, and convenient access to metro stations or bus stops nearby.
- Are you ready to negotiate the price? I don’t like haggling overprices for a first time, but if I come back to the same places, I always ask a discount.
- Are you certain about the duration of your stay? You might think you want to stay one month to the same destination, but what happens if after 10 days you don’t like it? It is better to book 15 days as a maximum and extend your stay later.
- Is it ok for you to spend time alone? For instance, if you opt for an Airbnb, are you okay with solitude and the need to actively seek social interactions? If not, co-living spaces or hostels might be more suitable for your digital nomad lifestyle.
Taking time to reflect on these questions ensures a more tailored and satisfying experience during your stay as a digital nomad.
Be careful with gentrification!
You may not want to hear what I am going to say, but we need to face the truth: digital nomads have some responsibility for the gentrification of the places they visit.
Indeed, their influx into specific areas often leads to increased demand for housing, causing property prices to rise. Additionally, their presence can attract businesses catering to their needs, such as co-working spaces and upscale cafés, further altering the local economic landscape.
Do not forget that gentrification can displace long-time residents, contributing to social and economic inequalities. That is why we need to be responsible, at the end of the day, we are the guests in our destinations, so we can’t act as if they were ours. Here are some tips to help you:
- Choose Locally-Owned Accommodations: Opt for accommodations that are locally owned rather than international chains. This ensures that a significant portion of the money you spend stays within the community, supporting local businesses and residents.
- Explore Diverse Neighborhoods: Instead of concentrating on the trendiest neighborhoods, explore diverse and less gentrified areas. This helps distribute the economic benefits of tourism more evenly and prevents the concentration of wealth in specific neighborhoods.
- Engage with the Community: Actively engage with the local community by attending events, participating in local activities, and building connections. This is an amazing way to understand better the issues locals face and improve your behavior.
I hope these 10 digital nomad accommodation websites will be useful for you if you plan to book your future home, wherever it is.
Share this blog post on Pinterest if you think it could help others!
