Ultimate Guide to Digital Nomad Accommodation: Tips & Top Rental Websites
January 4, 2025
The housing problem affects everyone at some point — deciding where to live, finding a nice and affordable place, the list goes on. The entire moving process can be quite stressful. Thankfully, we don't have to deal with it too often, right? Well, wrong. If you embrace the adventure of being a digital nomad, temporary housing becomes a constant concern, and questions like "Where to live as a digital nomad?" are frequently typed into search engines all around the world. We understand the challenges of finding suitable remote working accommodation, and this article aims to lighten your load. We'll offer tips on how to find digital nomad accommodation and provide a list of the best rental websites to help you find your perfect home away from home.
When choosing remote work housing, your eyes may diverge: hotels, apartments, and co-living spaces. How do you decide? The answer lies in your personal preferences and financial capabilities. Let’s take a closer look at each type of nomad housing so you can determine what’s best for you.
Digital nomad apartments are one of the most popular places to stay while traveling and working remotely. Just think about it - you have the full place at your disposal usually with high-speed internet, an equipped kitchen, and a comfy bed. Apart from Airbnb, plenty of services offer nomad apartments for rent. This option is more suitable if you’re looking for privacy, comfort, and staying mid- or long-term in the area.
The most obvious choice is to stay in a hotel! We are used to thinking hotels are only good for vacations, but long-term options are also available. With growing demand, digital nomad hotels are now gaining traction, providing special deals for long-term stays. While staying in a hotel, you may enjoy the perks of regular housekeeping services, delicious breakfasts, a business center, a gym, or a pool (if your hotel is that fancy). But there are also a lot of downsides. First, it may be pricey, even if you have a deal for an extended stay. Second, you still need to figure out where to do the laundry or cook meals. If you don’t want to use dry cleaners and restaurants regularly, consider nomad aparthotels. Mostly, they provide more amenities for the same price.
A digital nomad hostel is a decent option for housing. If you ever lived in the dorms you know the vibe: shared rooms and facilities, lots of meeting new people and socializing, but not much personal space. If you’re planning to work non-stop or have a big project coming up - maybe it’s not the best choice. Hostels are typically packed and filled with commotion; even with noise-canceling earphones, focusing may become a challenge. However, hostels are affordable and a vibrant social scene is a plus.
Colivings are shared living spaces often combined with coworking and networking opportunities. While it may seem similar to a hostel, this type of housing is so much more than simply living together in one space. With co-living, digital nomads prefer the sense of community and social interactions, as well as the various events and workshops they tend to host. Co-living communities for digital nomads can be a good option to have a cheap stay (especially when it comes to big cities) and you’ll never get bored or feel lonely.
Locating an ideal temporary home can often be challenging. However, with time and experience, after navigating through numerous apartments, digital nomads learn to adopt a more relaxed approach and not to fret with each change. Nonetheless, achieving this mindset is easier said than done. So, here are some tips for you to streamline and alleviate the stress of nomad accommodation hunting.
In this list, you won’t find basic websites like Booking.com or Airbnb. While digital nomad Airbnbs and other tourist-focused sites can be used to find apartments, plenty of long-term and short-term rental sites are designed specifically for nomads. Without further ado, let’s dive in!
One of the most popular mid and short-term rental sites like Airbnb is Flatio. It is designed for digital nomads offering fully furnished flats with high-speed internet in 300 destinations. As stated on the websites, there are no hidden fees for utilities and internet, which makes payment clear and transparent. Besides, the company guarantees a refund if the accommodation doesn’t match the declared conditions and will assist in finding a new place. Flatio is one of the best short-term rental sites because you get an official lease that can be used for your visa approval or other legal issues. Keep in mind that there are minimum (from 5 days) and maximum stay lengths but it varies depending on the rental conditions of each accommodation.
Flatio encourages influencers to join the Nomad Inspectors Club and give detailed feedback on the accommodation for complimentary stays and other perks. No worries if you don’t have an army of followers, in the Lite version of the club you can get discounts and vouchers for your reviews.
Founded2019HeadquartersClaymont, DelawareRegions coveredGlobalTrustpilot ratingNo reviewsTypes of accommodationsColiving, hostels, apartmentsNotable FeaturesInstant booking, 7 days minimum rent length, coworking spaces
Nomad Stays is one of the best digital nomad rentals operating in 80 countries and listing short and long-term stays for remote workers. The company emphasizes compliance with digital nomad needs: reliable Wi-Fi, convenient workspace, and no hidden charges. Besides the basic apartments list, the platform offers guides for the area with the weather forecast and key events. The best part is that digital nomads can filter the accommodations not only by location but also by leisure activities. For example, some hosts offer activities like surfing, hiking, or yoga classes. Moreover, the company provides a list of coworking spaces in 48 countries and plenty of deals for nomads (insurance, mobile services, and others), which is pretty useful.
Founded2019HeadquartersLondon, Great BritainRegions coveredGlobalTrustpilot ratingNo reviewsTypes of accommodationsHotels, hostels, apartments, co-livingsNotable FeaturesGreat deals on accommodation
RemoteBase isn’t a rental website. In fact, it’s a newsletter with deals on accommodation for digital nomads. The team monitors rental platforms and searches for the best deals and hot prices, and twice a month, subscribers get a newsletter with appealing accommodation options. The newsletter is free, however, nomads can upgrade to a Premium membership for $14/month or $188/year. This allows them to be among the first to receive the newsletter, access more offers, and customize their accommodation preferences.
Founded2014HeadquartersLondon, Great BritainRegions coveredGlobalTrustpilot rating2.3Types of accommodationsPrivate hotel rooms, shared roomsNotable FeaturesIntegrated coworking spaces, wellness programs
Selina is a hospitality brand combining accommodation, co-working, networking, and cultural experiences in one place. They’ve built an ecosystem where digital nomads can elevate their workation, enjoy the local experience, and socialize at the events hosted by Selina.
The company operates in 25 countries where guests can choose private rooms or hostels for every budget. Also, there are different packages and tours to meet traveler’s needs depending on the destination. They can include wellness programs, coworking stations, yoga classes, and more.
Founded2015HeadquartersCologne, GermanyRegions coveredEurope, expanding to the USATrustpilot rating3.8Types of accommodationsFurnished apartmentsNotable FeaturesServiced apartments and corporate housing options
Homelike is home to some of the best monthly rentals for remote workers in more than 500 European cities and New York. The company strives to make remote workers feel at home anywhere worldwide, ensuring all accommodations are fully furnished and include a kitchen and workspace. The platform offers serviced apartments so that long-term stays for remote workers can combine hotel comfort and apartment flexibility. While searching for housing, nomads may use filters like “instant booking,” “no deposit,” or “included cleaning.”
Founded2015HeadquartersCalifornia, United StatesRegions coveredNorth America, Europe, AsiaTrustpilot rating3.5Types of accommodationsColivings spacesNotable FeaturesDesigned for digital nomads, community events, coworking spaces
Outsite offers housing for remote workers and a complete immersion into digital nomad life with coliving, coworking, and community events. It’s a perfect match for those who love the vibe of community and networking.
Outsite aims to transform digital nomad's lives and work. The platform offers 50+ coliving spaces worldwide, some of them are available exclusively to the Outsite members and selected locations are opened to a broader audience. Membership costs $148 per year or a lifetime plan for $399. The participants gain exclusive members-only locations, and access to the Ousite Member Hub - an online community platform, with a bonus program, and exclusive perks.
Founded2017HeadquartersSan Francisco, United StatesRegions coveredUSATrustpilot ratingNo reviewsTypes of accommodationsFurnished apartmentsNotable FeaturesMonthly rentals, packed workstation
If you’re looking for the best website for monthly rentals, check out Anyplace. It’s a long-term rental website, currently operating in major US cities - New York, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego with the promise to expand worldwide. The company focuses on comfortable remote work apartments that are fully equipped, complete with a standing desk, ergonomic chair, ultra-wide monitor, mouse, microphone, webcam, and even a green screen. The minimum rent length is 30 days with the possibility to extend your stay.
Founded2022HeadquartersJardim do Mar, PortugalRegions coveredEurope, Africa, Asia, South AmericaTrustpilot ratingNo reviews yetTypes of accommodationsColiving, private roomsNotable FeaturesCurated stays for digital nomads, strong community focus
Nomadico is the youngest short-term rental on our list. It skyrocketed in 2022 with 7 destinations and plans to open new destinations soon. If you prioritize social life over privacy, Nomadico should definitely be your top choice, combining coliving and coworking spaces and making communication the cornerstone of the venture. The company organizes social events, joint dinners, and outdoor activities - a great way to network and expand your tribe of digital nomads.
Founded2016HeadquartersEriceira, PortugalRegions coveredGlobalTrustpilot ratingNo reviews yetTypes of accommodationsColiving, private roomsNotable FeaturesSurf and work culture
Coworksurf, does what it says on the tin. It’s especially designed for digital nomads passionate about surfing or desiring to learn how to surf with co-thinkers. They offer a wide range of accommodation in every corner of the globe: Mexico, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Portugal, and other popular destinations with picturesque coastlines where you can catch a perfect wave. With cozy colivings and private rooms to rent combined with a coworking space and an in-house surf instructor, the feeling of a constant holiday is guaranteed!
Founded2014HeadquartersMadrid, SpainRegions coveredEuropeTrustpilot rating3.9Types of accommodationsApartments, rooms, studios, student residencesNotable FeaturesDetailed property videos, verified listings
Spotahome is designed for mid and long-term rental in more than 100 cities across Europe. It is pretty similar to other nomad apartment rentals although it’s not only for remote workers. What makes Spotahome so different? The team has a strict vetting process, checking out accommodation and besides property photos, you can see a video, which gives you more perspective on what you’re going to rent. The minimum rent length is 30 days and the company has customer support in 8 languages and will assist you in any emergency situation.'
Finding digital nomad accommodation is an essential part of remote worker life. Creating a cozy and homey ambiance is hard work, especially if you’re thousands of miles away from home. But with experience, digital nomads learn to embrace the freedom of not being tied to one spot and discover that home is wherever they are. While searching for nomad housing, list all your preferences, equip yourself with our list, a little courage, and forage for your next home. With the help of this list of long and short-term rental sites, we’re sure your perfect choice will come up.
For more tips and inspiration, check out Nomad Gossip Magazine – your ultimate companion in the digital nomad lifestyle! As the first magazine created by nomads, for nomads, we bring you the spirit of adventure straight to your fingertips. Our pages are filled with valuable information, inspiring stories from fellow nomads, and exclusive benefits tailored just for you.
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