16.9 million American employees today identify as digital nomads, according to recent research by MBO Partners. That represents a 131% increase from the year before the pandemic in 2019 and a 9% increase from 2021. There are 35 million digital nomads globally, according to some estimates.
According to Denise Rousseau, professor of organizational behavior and public policy at Carnegie Mellon University, “Being a digital nomad is a blessing—and a curse.” Housing can be one of those challenges, according to Rousseau, who has studied remote workers and digital nomads.
What are your housing options for extended stays?
As a digital nomad, you have a lot of options for lodging—almost too many. These are a few of them:
Airbnb and Vrbo
Compared to the weekly or daily rates offered to leisure travelers, both Airbnb and Vrbo offer monthly rates at a significant discount. However, you have to deal with the fact that most Airbnb accommodations are meant for travelers, so you may not find all the amenities you need as a digital nomad.
Blueground
Furniture and accessories are consistent from city to city. However, Blueground differs from a standard rental in several crucial ways. The majority of Blueground rentals are done through a smartphone app. According to Jane McCane, a digital nomad, the response time is lightning fast. They also have a “pet-friendly policy, which is fantastic,” she adds.
Extended stay apartments
Martinhal Resorts in Portugal already offers long-term rentals for some of its larger rooms, which include kitchens and living areas. The resort is specifically designed for digital nomads and offers a mix of hotel suites and luxury apartments for longer-term stays.
Hotels and resorts
Some hotels cater to frequent visitors. For example, Casa Delphine, a luxury boutique hotel in San Miguel de Allende, Mexico, offers a unique “work from hotel” deal for certain weeks in January and from mid-April to mid-September. Digital nomads can settle in Mexico for $950 per week per person, including breakfast.
Landing
Landing has apartments in dozens of cities across the United States, from Albuquerque to Winston-Salem. And like Blueground, the facilities are standardized, so you get the same amenities, lightning-fast Wi-Fi and other conveniences.
Mint House
Another alternative for location-independent workers is Mint House, which is trying to develop a new category of hospitality powered by technology. Mint offers full kitchens, huge living spaces and connected workspaces in downtown Miami, New York and Seattle.