This article will cover the best co-living alternatives for digital nomads by examining distinct opportunities for remote workers to live, travel, work, and connect.
- Key Points & Best Co-living Alternatives For Digital Nomads
- 10 Best Co-living Alternatives For Digital Nomads
- 1. Nomad Hotels
- 2. Van Life
- 3. House Sitting
- 4. Hostels with Workspaces
- 5. Airbnb Monthly Rentals
- 6. Eco Villages
- 7. Floating Homes
- 8. Digital Nomad Communities
- 9. Shared Apartments
- 10. Boutique Co-living Spaces
- Conclusion
- FAQ
Flexible hotels, shared apartments, van life, and eco villages are all wonderful ways to gain comfort, community, and productivity.
These nomads all find a co-living solution to their need for adventure, sociability, and budget.
Key Points & Best Co-living Alternatives For Digital Nomads
| Co-living Alternative | Key Point |
|---|---|
| Nomad Hotels | Affordable stays with built-in coworking spaces |
| Van Life | Ultimate freedom and mobility |
| House Sitting | Free accommodation in exchange for caretaking |
| Hostels with Workspaces | Budget-friendly social hubs |
| Airbnb Monthly Rentals | Flexible contracts and privacy |
| Eco Villages | Community living with sustainability focus |
| Floating Homes | Unique lifestyle on water |
| Digital Nomad Communities | Networking and collaboration opportunities |
| Shared Apartments | Cost-effective with local immersion |
| Boutique Co-living Spaces | Curated experiences with like-minded people |
10 Best Co-living Alternatives For Digital Nomads
1. Nomad Hotels
Nomad hotels cater to the needs of the constantly working traveler who requires a balance of comfort, and business collaboration.
They feature special long-term stay rooms and, unlike regular hotels, they have amenities including high-speed internet, coworking spaces, and on-site scheduled community activities.
They encourage collaboration and socialization on-site within a work pod, and provide the privacy to leave the community spaces to go to your quiet room to work.
They are placed in larger population centers and popular travel areas, as they provide a mix of traditional hotel lodging and digital nomad hospitality.
| Hotel / Location | Country | Famous For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Selina | Multiple countries (Costa Rica, Colombia, Portugal) | Nomad-friendly accommodations & coworking | Popular among digital nomads for community events and flexible stays |
| Outsite | USA, Portugal, Bali | Co-living & coworking in scenic locations | Offers long-term stays, workspaces, and wellness programs |
| Roam | Bali, Tokyo, Miami | Global co-living network | Focus on networking and creative community for remote professionals |
| The Surf Office | Spain, Portugal, Costa Rica | Surf & work packages | Combines adventure with productivity for nomads |
2. Van Life
As a digital nomad, having a home on wheels is a unique experience where one can travel freely without losing their workspace.
The fully converted camper vans that are rented out come equipped with fully functional kitchens, sleeping areas, and mobile Wi-Fi.
This lifestyle is a dream come true for many, as one can move freely between cities, and travel to nature and seaside destinations.
Van life cultivates a minimalist lifestyle that encourages self-sustained living, spurring creativity.
However, this lifestyle also requires route planning and parking, power and internet sources to be available. For mobile adventurers, this lifestyle is a liberating alternative to traditional co-living.
| Van / Location | Country | Famous For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Van Life Diaries Vans | USA | Adventure travel | Popularized by social media; supports long-term remote living |
| Westfalia Campervans | Germany | Classic camper van | Durable and ideal for European travel |
| Winnebago Revel | USA | Off-road adventure | Built for remote work with solar and Wi-Fi setups |
| DIY Converted Vans | Worldwide | Personalized van conversions | Digital nomads customize vans with beds, kitchens, and desks |
3. House Sitting
House sitting is a popular option for many digital nomads, as it provides an alternative way to find accommodation.
By taking care of someone’s home and pets, nomads can live for free for weeks or even months at a time.
This also means that the nomads and the pets can live in a comfortable and private space away from busy tourist attractions for the duration of the sitting.
This setup also provides the nomads with a fenced in area for the pets to roam in and encourages responsible and trustworthy behavior on the nomads part when taking care of the home as well.
Plus, it gives the nomads a chance to immerse themselves in the local culture and way of life in the region, as they will be living in a real home away from the typical tourist accommodations.
For nomads on a budget, house sitting is a realistic option to expensive hotels and rentals.
| Platform / Location | Country | Famous For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| TrustedHousesitters | Worldwide | Pet-friendly house sitting | Most popular platform for digital nomads to stay rent-free |
| MindMyHouse | Worldwide | Affordable house-sitting opportunities | Provides long-term stays with simple vetting |
| Nomador | France, Spain, Italy | European house sitting | Connects nomads with local homeowners in Europe |
| HouseCarers | Australia, New Zealand | International house sitting | Large database for remote workers seeking temporary accommodation |
4. Hostels with Workspaces
A new trend among budget accommodation options is the addition of functionally designed workspaces that provide fast Wi-Fi along with the basic amenities.
There are spacious meeting rooms for group work and events organized for professional networking.
These hostels keep the traditional hostel vibe and allow for socialization, which helps productivity for remote working nomads.
Prices are kept low with dormitory bedding arrangements, although private options are often available as well for those who want more focus.
Most of these hostels with workspaces are located in major cities, which gives these nomads easy access to parks and cultural sites, as well as the transport hubs.
Remote working professionals are increasingly turning to these hostels for accommodation to take advantage of the combination of community and affordability with functional workspaces.
| Hostel / Location | Country | Famous For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| The Surf Hostel | Spain | Surf & coworking | Offers coworking lounges and social events |
| Generator Hostels | Multiple countries | Design-focused social hostels | Mix of affordability, community, and Wi-Fi-friendly spaces |
| Selina Hostels | Multiple countries | Nomad-friendly | Includes coworking, workshops, and wellness areas |
| St. Christopher’s Inn | Europe | Budget & community | Popular for networking among traveling digital professionals |
5. Airbnb Monthly Rentals
A new trend among budget accommodation options is the addition of functionally designed workspaces that provide fast Wi-Fi along with the basic amenities.
There are spacious meeting rooms for group work and events organized for professional networking.
These hostels keep the traditional hostel vibe and allow for socialization, which helps productivity for remote working nomads.
Prices are kept low with dormitory bedding arrangements, although private options are often available as well for those who want more focus.
Most of these hostels with workspaces are located in major cities, which gives these nomads easy access to parks and cultural sites, as well as the transport hubs.
Remote working professionals are increasingly turning to these hostels for accommodation to take advantage of the combination of community and affordability with functional workspaces.
| City / Location | Country | Famous For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lisbon | Portugal | Affordable long-term rentals | Popular among digital nomads due to climate & Wi-Fi |
| Chiang Mai | Thailand | Budget-friendly apartments | Favored by remote workers for low cost & community |
| Bali | Indonesia | Private villas & workspaces | Long-term stays with tropical ambiance |
| Medellín | Colombia | Modern apartments | Combination of safety, infrastructure, and vibrant culture |
6. Eco Villages
Living in eco villages offer opportunities for digital nomads to live and work in villages designed with advanced eco-friendly work and living spaces to help residents engage in environmentally conscious daily activities like eco-friendly work and activities.
Eco villages depend heavily on eco-friendly archtecture, renewable energies, and organic resource farming.
Nomads often offer specific skills and recieve work in mutual benefit, fostering cooperative relationships.
Eco villages offer opportunities for holistic self-care and activities with a wellness orientaton where villages engage in enriching activities together.
Eco villages enrich lifestyles harmoniously where work activities and eco practices, culture interaction, and personal growth work together offering an alternative slower pace eco-friendly living for nomads, sustainability, and social impact.
| Eco Village | Country | Famous For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Auroville | India | Sustainable & spiritual living | International community focused on eco-living |
| Findhorn Foundation | Scotland | Ecological community | Offers workshops on sustainability & community living |
| Dancing Rabbit | USA | Off-grid & permaculture | Community-run, ideal for nomads seeking eco-conscious life |
| Tamera | Portugal | Peace & ecology-focused village | Focus on community projects & sustainable lifestyles |
7. Floating Homes
Unique from traditional apartments and hotels, the floating homes provide serene views and privatized lifestyle atop rivers and lakes with wifi connectivity and full kitchens.
Floating homes are increasingly becoming popular with digital nomads. They get lakeside and riverside homes which are generally built to provide mobility, comfort, and taste.
These homes get to people with full serviced coworking – private homes and coworking docks to share, network, and collaborate which are part of the community floating homes complex.
Living, working, and adventuring in a unique lake top home provides tranquil inspiration and a creative, adventurous, close to nature lifestyle.
| Floating Community | Country | Famous For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Waterbuurt | Netherlands | Amsterdam canal living | Modern floating homes in city canals |
| Houseboat Rentals Amsterdam | Netherlands | Iconic floating stay | Nomads can rent for months with Wi-Fi and kitchens |
| Floating Homes Sausalito | USA | Luxury waterfront homes | Popular with remote workers and creatives |
| Rotterdam Floating Houses | Netherlands | Innovative architecture | Mix of residential and workspace solutions |
8. Digital Nomad Communities
Digital nomad communities are designed for remote workers. Providing coworking spaces, residential accommodation, and community events for collaboration, these centers offer a workspace, home, and community.
Part of a resort, a city, or a coliving property, these centers help people work, travel, and live together.
They also provide a professional network, cultural crossing, and collaboration. Offering a sense of community and shared experience, nomads get stability from these centers as a profound social work environment and community.
| Community / City | Country | Famous For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| NomadX | Portugal | Short-term rentals & networking | Provides coworking and community events |
| Chiang Mai Nomads | Thailand | Vibrant expat & remote worker hub | Known for meetups, co-working spaces, and affordability |
| Bali Hub | Indonesia | Nomad-focused co-living | Combines coworking, social events, and wellness |
| Lisbon Digital Nomads | Portugal | Events & workshops | Popular European hub for remote professionals |
9. Shared Apartments
As a digital nomad, renting an apartment while splitting the costs with other people in the though not always in the same apartment can be comfortable and rewarding.
Most apartment rentals have private room rentals and share a a fully furnished apartment.
In the private rooms, there is a a balance between As a nomad, there is a benefit of not being confined to studios or sublet rooms and having some added comfort.
It is also a great option for medium-term rentals as there is not a need to setup apartments.
The adaptable rental terms and work-span wifi is a great compliment to the needs of nomadic digital workers.
This type of arrangement does work best for people who appreciate the community around them and the nomadic home-like feel of the apartments for the duration of the stay.
| Apartment / Location | Country | Famous For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Roam Living | Bali, Tokyo | Shared apartments & coworking | Focused on community & creativity |
| Common Living | USA | Modern shared apartments | Nomad-friendly with private bedrooms and shared amenities |
| The Collective | UK | Co-living apartments | Offers flexible leases, workspaces, and social programs |
| Outsite Shared Apartments | Portugal, Spain | Nomad-focused co-living | Combines private rooms with communal working areas |
10. Boutique Co-living Spaces
Each Boutique Co-living Space harmoniously integrates design, community, and luxury for digital nomads in search of tailored offerings.
Unlike conventional spaces, these hostels and apartments focus on social design, wellness, and social programmed activities.
All residents enjoy private rooms, and share access in working, cooking, and event spaces. Workshop providers, and many boutique colliving offer networking, and tailored events fostering personal and professional growth.
Designed for social interactions, these spaces attract creative professions, as employees in design and tech fields work remotely.
For nomads in search of modern, immersive and productive living spaces in secondary cities and popular travel hubs, Boutique Co-living offers the perfect blend of community and independence.
| Space / Location | Country | Famous For | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| WeLive | USA | Boutique co-living & coworking | Short-term furnished apartments with community events |
| Roam | Bali, Tokyo, Miami | Design-focused co-living | Premium amenities, workshops, and social events |
| Zoku | Amsterdam | Home-office hybrid | Innovative design for professionals & nomads |
| Hmlet | Singapore, Japan | Boutique co-living | Stylish apartments with social & networking activities |
Conclusion
In summation, the optimal co-living options available to digital nomads entirely depends on an individual’s way of living, finances, and preference for social engagement.
Nomad hotels provide more organized settings and eco villages are community-centered. On the other hand, van life and similar options are more for those looking for adventures.
Because of the right selection of co-living arrangements, digital nomads can have the comfort, productivity, and social engagement they need while travelling the globe.
FAQ
What are the best co-living options for digital nomads?
Top choices include Selina, Outsite, Roam, Colive, Nomad House, Sun and Co., Remote Year, CoHo, and Zoku.
Which co-living brand is best for long-term stays?
Outsite and Roam offer strong long-term packages with discounts and community perks.
Are co-living places safe for solo travelers?
Yes—brands like Outsite and Selina maintain secure properties and verified communities.
Which co-living option is best for work productivity?
Zoku and Roam offer hotel-level amenities with excellent coworking setups.
Do co-living spaces offer private rooms?
Most, including Outsite, Roam, and Zoku, provide private rooms with shared common areas.
Do co-living alternatives offer community activities?
Yes—spaces like Sun and Co., Selina, and Nomad House organize workshops, cultural trips, and networking events.