How to Find Affordable Accommodation as a Digital Nomad

Roaming on a Budget: A Digital Nomad’s Guide to Finding Cheap Places to Stay Anywhere in the World is a book about how to do that.
As a digital nomad, it’s hard to find cheap places to stay.
Digital nomadism is a way of life that has become more popular over the past few years. It means people who use technology to work from home, which gives them the freedom to travel while still keeping their jobs.
Digital nomadism is becoming more popular because there are more ways to work from home and people want to try new things and have adventures. But finding cheap places to stay is one of the hardest things for digital nomads to do.
As a digital nomad myself, I know how hard it is to find affordable housing when you’re always on the move. I’ve spent a lot of time online looking at different places to stay and trying to find something that fits within my budget.
Even when I did find something in my price range, it was often of poor quality or dangerous. This is why it’s so important for digital nomads to find cheap places to stay—it can make or break our whole traveling experience.
How important it is to have cheap places to stay
Affordable housing is important for digital nomads because it directly affects how long we can keep living this way. If we always spend more than we can afford on housing, we will run out of money and have to go back home or find other ways to make money. High housing costs can also make it hard for us to travel and make us stay in one place for longer than we would like.
We can also learn more about local cultures and communities when we stay in places that aren’t too expensive. When we are on a tight budget and want to travel, staying in expensive hotels or resorts can keep us from having real cultural experiences and getting to know the locals.
We can connect with people from different backgrounds and learn more about their way of life by choosing cheaper options like homestays or shared apartments. Finding cheap housing is important for digital nomads who want to try new things while working remotely.
Without it, our way of life would not be able to last, and we wouldn’t be able to fully experience other cultures. In the sections that follow, I’ll talk about some popular and alternative places for digital nomads to stay, as well as how to find cheap places to stay in certain parts of the world.
Digital Nomads can find affordable places to stay.
The Good, the Bad, and the Deal at Airbnb
Airbnb has become a popular way for digital nomads to find a place to stay. It makes it easy to book a private room or an entire apartment from anywhere in the world.
One benefit is that, compared to traditional hotels, you can find cheaper options in popular cities. Plus, you can talk to hosts and find out more about the area from people who live there.
There are, however, some bad things about Airbnb. There may be dishonest hosts who lie about their properties or don’t tell you important things, like how loud construction is or how bad the Wi-Fi signal is.
This is why you should carefully read reviews before booking any Airbnb listing. Use third-party sites like Beyond Pricing or Everbooked, which look at market trends and adjust prices accordingly, to find good deals on Airbnb accommodations.
If you stay for a long time, negotiating with your hosts can also help you save money. For example, if you want to rent an apartment through Airbnb for a month or longer, ask the host if they offer discounts for long-term stays before you book.
Hostels are a good way to meet people and save money.
People often think of hostels as places for backpackers on a tight budget, but they can also be a great option for digital nomads who want to stay somewhere comfortable and cheap. Hostels are fun and social places to stay, and they also have shared amenities like kitchens and laundry services.
But there are some things to think about when staying in a hostel, like the noise level, the lack of privacy (especially in dorm-style rooms), the possibility of safety problems (like theft), and concerns about cleanliness. Hostels are a good option if you’re looking for cheap places to stay while traveling.
Living with People Who Get It: Co-living spaces
Co-living spaces are a fairly new idea, but digital nomads are becoming more and more interested in them. Co-living spaces help people get to know each other by having shared kitchens, living rooms, and outdoor areas.
This gives digital nomads a chance to meet new people, work together, and share ideas. Some of the benefits of co-living spaces are that they are flexible (most places offer short-term leases), the apartments are fully furnished and all bills are included in the rent, and safety is increased because there is only one way in and out of the building.
But there are some downsides to co-living, such as the fact that the rent may be higher than for other types of housing because amenities and services are included. Also, it might not be good for quiet, independent travelers who prefer to be alone.
Digital Nomads have other options for where to stay.
Exploring Unique Living Arrangements
As a digital nomad, it’s important to keep an open mind when looking for cheap places to stay. There are a lot of other ways to live that can save you money on rent and give you a unique experience. House-sitting is one of the most popular things to do instead.
House-sitting is basically taking care of someone’s home while they are away in exchange for free lodging. It’s a good deal for both parties because it gives homeowners peace of mind that their home will be taken care of while they’re away and saves digital nomads money on housing costs.
People who are interested in house-sitting can find listings from all over the world on sites like TrustedHousesitters.com and HouseCarers.com. For house-sitting to go well, you should have references from previous landlords or homeowners and keep in touch with the owner the whole time you are there.
Couchsurfing is another option. This site lets travelers find free places to stay with locals who are willing to host them. But it’s important to use this option safely by only staying with hosts who have good reviews from previous guests and by making sure you’re comfortable with the host before agreeing to stay at their place.
Couchsurfing can be a great way to learn about other cultures and meet new people while saving money on lodging costs. Work-exchange programs are a great way for digital nomads to get valuable work experience and free housing in exchange for working a certain number of hours per week.
Workaway.info and HelpX.net are two programs that can help you find work all over the world in fields like farming, teaching English, or volunteering at hostels, hotels, etc. These programs give you a wide range of work opportunities that can help you improve your skills and give you a place to stay for free while you travel. As a digital nomad, if you try out these different ways to live, you can save money on rent and also have unique experiences that will make your travels more interesting.
Location-specific tips for finding cheap lodging in Southeast Asia: Homestays and guesthouses are good options for those on a budget.
Southeast Asia is a popular place for digital nomads to go because of how cheap it is to live there. In this area, there are a lot of places to stay that won’t break your budget.
Some of the most affordable options are homestays and guesthouses, which cost between $5 and $20 per night in places like Thailand, Vietnam, and Cambodia. Most of the time, these types of places to stay have basic things like a bed, a fan or air conditioning, Wi-Fi, and shared bathrooms.
Hostels are also a great choice for digital nomads on a budget. Southeast Asia has safe places to stay that are clean and cost as little as $5 per night.
When you stay in a hostel, you can meet other travelers and make new friends while you explore the area. Look for hostels that offer free breakfast or discounts on tours or activities.
How to find cheap apartments and shared living spaces in popular cities in Europe
It can be hard to find cheap places to stay in Europe, but it’s not impossible. Co-living spaces, which are becoming more and more popular in cities like Berlin, Barcelona, and Lisbon, are one option. These places are designed for digital nomads and offer private rooms or shared apartments with features like workspaces, fast Wi-Fi, and common areas where you can meet other residents and make friends.
You could also rent an apartment through a local website or an alternative to Airbnb, like Wimdu or 9flats, which may have cheaper options than Airbnb in Europe’s most popular cities. There’s also the option of house-sitting, which might not be easy if you’re only in Europe for a short time, but you should still check out trusted platforms like Trusted Housesitters or Nomador.
How to Find Hostels and Shared Apartments in Big Cities in South America
South America is a popular place for digital nomads who want to explore the continent’s rich culture, history, and natural beauty. Consider staying in a hostel if you want a cheap place to stay in a big city like Buenos Aires, Rio de Janeiro, or Lima. Hostels have cheap rates and often include breakfast or other amenities like a kitchen or laundry facilities.
People who want to save money and live like a local can also live in shared apartments. You can find people looking for roommates or short-term renters on websites like Craigslist and Facebook groups.
On sites like Badi and SpareRoom, you can also find shared apartments that cost less than renting an entire apartment. As a digital nomad, it takes time and research to find cheap places to stay.
Consider other options like house-sitting, work-exchanges, and co-living spaces. By following these tips for Southeast Asia, Europe, and South America, you can find cheap places to stay so you can travel the world without going broke.
Tools and resources to help you find cheap housing
Websites and apps that offer discounts or last-minute deals on places to stay
As a digital nomad, it’s important to take advantage of any discounts or last-minute deals on places to stay. There are many websites and apps that can help you find cheap housing in the area you want. Some of the most popular ones are Hostelworld, Hotels.com, and Booking.com.
These platforms have a wide range of places to stay, from cheap hostels to high-end hotels. In addition to these larger platforms, there are also niche websites like Agoda for Southeast Asian countries and Bedycasa for homestays all over the world.
Many of these sites also have loyalty programs or points that can be used to book trips in the future. Before you book a place to stay, you should do some research and compare prices to make sure you’re getting the best deal.
There are Facebook groups just for digital nomads.
As a digital nomad, Facebook groups can be a great way to find cheap housing. There are groups whose only goal is to help nomads find places to stay in different parts of the world. People who are part of these groups often offer extra rooms or are looking for roommates to split costs with.
Digital Nomad Girls Community, Nomad House Bali, and Digital Nomads Around The World are all well-known Facebook groups. Through these groups, you can not only find affordable housing options, but you can also meet other people with similar interests and goals.
Conclusion
As a digital nomad, it can be hard to find cheap places to stay, but there are many tools and resources that can help make the process easier. There are websites that offer discounts on places to stay and Facebook groups that connect you with other nomads who are looking for roommates or have extra rooms to rent. All you have to do is do your research and use these tools. As a digital nomad, remember that finding a cheap place to stay is only one part of the puzzle.
When picking a place to stay, it’s also important to put your safety and comfort first. With the right attitude and a little bit of creativity, you can find cheap lodging that meets all your needs while traveling.