Out of office
The best way to experience the digital nomad lifestyle is through international co-living spaces, writes Chesney McDonald.
For many, the stereotype of a digital nomad is a millennial hipster with their life on their back, following the wind and pursuing adventure over career.
The truth is that for some, living and working in exotic locations may not be as much of a commitment as it seems.
By pitching up in co-living spaces around the world, working professionals can transplant their proverbial grindstones for a couple of weeks, maybe even months.
Last year, my wife and I travelled the world for 10 months, and staying in co-living spaces gave us professional working environments, stellar amenities, and a thriving community of travellers.
While in co-living spaces, we worked alongside lawyers, full-stack developers, web designers, and product and project managers from around the world.
Each of our new friends had unique cultural backgrounds, expertise and work schedules.
As more jobs become fully remote, opportunities arise to maintain workload from further afield.
If you can only persuade your employer to give you two weeks of remote work, why not make it somewhere memorable?
Can you answer your emails from a Tuscan villa? Crunch numbers from Bali? Or join a Zoom call from Sao Paulo?
Knowing that you can line up accommodation that’s designed to facilitate productivity for remote workers can go a long way in negotiating a stint in a co-living environment overseas.
This may also involve some careful planning and accounting for time-zone differences, but it’s a pitch that’s worth making.
Similarly, co-living spaces are great environments for disciplined students with a professional mindset.
Most of these co-living and co-working spaces aren’t slapped together with a wireless router dangling from a rickety shelf.
They’re often chic, clean, trendy spaces with good coffee and an environment that promotes focus.
By definition, these spaces are wellequipped to facilitate a healthy balance of productivity and lifestyle.
Most co-living providers offer private rooms or studios, and many include regular cleaning services.
There’s sometimes a desk in each room, but usually also a shared co-working space for guests to use. Kitchens tend to be shared but are usually well-equipped.
If this all sounds terribly expensive, it doesn’t have to be. Depending on where in the world you choose and the type of environment you seek, you can find a co-living space that doesn’t gouge a hole in your wallet.
Co-living housing in Bali, Indonesia, and Chiang Mai, Thailand, can cost less than NZ$1200 a month.
Obviously, you need to get there, but the price of food and activities in many countries can also be cheaper than back home once you’re on the ground.
Plus, if you play your cards right, you may not have to dip into holiday pay and can keep earning overseas.
Several platforms allow individuals to browse and book co-living spaces around the world that suit them and their budget.
We used one that was simply called Coliving.com, but Outsite.co and Habyt.com are also popular options.
While we enjoyed Coliving’s free membership, Outsite’s paid membership and vetting process help to ensure a high standard of co-living options and a sense of security in the folks with whom you share the space.
Platforms such as these aren’t the only way to find excellent co-living spaces, however.
Many co-living businesses prefer for guests to book and manage their stay with them directly.
A quick “#coliving” search on Instagram can help you begin your journey.
Not all co-living spaces are created equal, so researching reviews and testimonials can help find one that delivers the experience you want.
Different countries have various policies for foreign remote workers, so doing your research before scooting off to work overseas is essential.