Best Places to Work (and Live) for Digital Nomads - Our Top 5
Posted by Rick Wilder
Best places to work? - digital nomads rule the roost
There’s been a lot of hesitation regarding travel for this past two years (on and off) with some choosing to remain at home and waiting for things to clear up, whereas others seemed to throw caution to the wind. Little did we know that travelling safely was a possibility and they were onto something! So, here’s a prime opportunity to buy a carpe diem bumper sticker and live that location independent lifestyle you always wanted!
Remote jobs are through the roof right now (as are house prices), so you’ll see more and more Millennials/GenZ working remotely from renovated camper vans, dolled up shipping containers and even yurts! and if that sounds a bit “out there” for your tastes, there are still some amazing hidden workplace/co-living alternatives for even the most pampered digital nomad.
If you’re currently in one of many location independent careers out there, there’s really no excuse not to pack your bags – or at least start saving. These amazing work/living spaces are often competitively priced, socially stimulating (optional) and come with tons of features. Most offer some of the best places to work with once in a lifetime experiences you won’t find anywhere else, too, so they’re definitely worth a try.
So, in other words, it’s time to emerge from that duvet cocoon and dust off your weekend bag because the world isn’t going to see itself!
Here’s our curated list of the 5 best places to work (and live) for digital nomads!
Best places to work for digital nomads #5 - Unleash Surf (Peru)
Cost: €€€€
There seems to be some kind of connection between being a digital nomad and surfing. A pair of surf buds turned spouses with a love of travelling and all things surf-y – tired of the daily 9-5 grind coupled with harsh Canadian winters, had quite frankly had enough, and so Unleash Surf in sunny Peru (allegedly the birthplace of surfing) was the result.
Of course, it’s not all about surfing, hence why it made the list – but be warned: the price of this one, while justified, is also on the higher side. The experience includes all the equipment you’ll need for the month, not to mention a tour of the area where you’ll get acquainted with Peru’s rich culture. The workspace looks great and spacious, too!
So, if some sea and sun paired with the beautiful background of Peru sounds like your idea of workspace heaven, Unleash Surf is the place!
#4 - Arctic Coworking Lodge (Norway)
Cost: €
For those who want something unconventional and far, far away from civilisation, where quiet starry skies lull you to sleep at night and snow-capped mountains are the first thing you see in the morning, the Arctic Coworking Lodge takes the crown. It’s also arguably far more bang for your buck than our last pick.
So, if you don’t fear the cold and skiing’s your gig, or perhaps you fancy a dip in the icy ocean on a surfboard (each to their own) then you’ll find there are few places on Earth offering this sort of thing in a co-working/living capacity.
The only potential downside is the amount of available space in the ‘lodge’ with 8 bunks and two private rooms in total, but it more than makes up for this in its efficient use of space and its overall cozy vibe. The Arctic Coworking Lodge is the perfect serene work retreat for digital nomad living.
Best places to work for digital nomads #3 - The Collective Old Oak (UK)
Cost: €€
Despite being in a very pricey area of London, the pricing for this is (somehow) reasonable. The Collective Old Oak rose to international acclaim among digital nomads for its events program, offering live bands, graffiti workshops and even ping pong competitions – not to mention its facilities: an onsite gym, cinema and roof garden, to name but a few.
The Collective Old Oak is something of a wildcard due to the extended period you can stay (from 3-12 months). Unlike others on this list, digital nomads are actively encouraged to stay for as long as they like to reap all of its benefits.
We recommend the Old Oak for anyone looking for some class and stability in the ever-changing day-to-day of modern nomadism.
#2 - WiFi Tribe (Global)
Cost: varies €–€€–€€€
Now, this one’s less of a “place” and more of a… well, a tribe. If staying in one spot and paying a set price (like the others on this list) doesn’t sound like a good idea to you, here’s a great alternative.
The WiFi tribe gives digital nomads the opportunity to join up to six 4-6 week “chapters” in countries spanning all four corners of the world every year. It’s a completely different experience in that you get to pick how much you’re willing to spend based off your membership type and when you decide to jump in.
The team are constantly setting up fun activities and events at each location, so you’ll never be lost for things to do or for company, as there’ll be other like-minded nomads journeying alongside you.
The accommodation, activities and (of course) WiFi are taken care of, so you don’t need to worry about missing any meetings! WiFi Tribe are bold in their vision and we imagine this’ll be the norm for most savvy remote workers in the coming years.
#1 - Chateau Coliving (Normandy)
If you’ve ever looked into your family history and have (or sadly haven’t) discovered faint ties to celebrities or the aristocracy, chances are you’ve imagined yourself living (and/or working) in a castle. Thankfully, those dreams could become a reality if you find yourself anywhere near Normandy.
There, you’ll find Chateau Coliving: a castle for digital nomads! From rooms that look like they were torn from Grimm’s fairytales to scenic hikes out in the surrounding flora – there’s certainly no lack of things to see or do. The coliving/coworking crowd form a solid community of professionals who value hard work, but also the importance of unwinding.
One of many really unique features of this location is you can plant your own tree! This comes with the added benefit of visiting it at a discounted rate in future. If you’re a nomad with kids, this place is one of very few which will accommodate children, so feel free to make a family booking and treat everyone to a trip they won’t forget!
Chateau Coliving definitely passes the vibe check, so it’s our number 1 pick!
That rounds off our Top 5 list of best places to work (and live) for digital nomads! So, whether your options are planes, trains or automobiles, we hope something you’ve read in this article has at least got you thinking about becoming a digital nomad!
And, if you soon find yourself in any city with this urge to explore, try one of our city exploration games!