You've chosen a country to call temporary home, sorted your visa homework, and even started learning some local phrases. The next important step is choosing where you'll stay.

For many nomads, the most vital factors to consider are your accommodation's proximity to amenities/attractions, and how well the cost fits into your budget.

If you're reliant on public transport, living in a central location can save a lot of headaches. However, if you don't mind long walks, and are comfortable speaking the local language, staying outside large cities is a far cheaper option.

Be sure to consider the safety of the neighbourhood you'll be living in. It's worth paying a bit more for peace of mind.

In a new city, you'll hopefully be spend a lot of time exploring and working out of cute coffee shops, but don't underestimate the time you'll be spending at your accommodation. Be honest with yourself about the essentials you need to be comfortable.

If you're a light sleeper, you'll probably want to avoid shared rooms or party hostels. If you're a social butterfly travelling alone, a hostel or co-living situation might give you the interaction you crave.

To start off your search, we've compiled a list of five types of accommodation that suit nomads.

1. Lodging or Couchsurfing

Open-minded souls looking to immerse themselves in the lifestyle and culture of a new destination should consider lodging with a local host.

Lodging involves staying in the guest room (or on the couch!) at a host's home and sharing the facilities there. This is a more personal contract than renting an Airbnb. Lodgers aren't charged for their stay like a customer, they're welcomed in as a guest, and expected to behave like one.

Couchsurfing is a wonderful way to meet new friends, open your eyes to new experiences, and see a side of your destination that tourists will miss.

It's also completely cost-free, making lodging a great alternative in affluent areas like London or Zürich where hotel fees are steep.

The original site for Couchsurfing isn't as popular today, however, a bunch of great alternatives have sprung up in its wake. TrustRoots, BeWelcome, and Couchers are free lodging sites with a growing number of hosts. Host a Sister and SisterHome offer women safe, female-only, lodging options.

To start your journey as a couchsurfer, make a profile and search for like-minded hosts operating within your travel dates. Hosts can accept or decline based on your profile. Every person is different so it's best to send out multiple applications. Some hosts will be better suited to your personality and interests than others.

If you're concerned about safety, take the time to check a potential host's reviews and profile. If something seems off, we recommend looking elsewhere. Couchsurfing women can also specify only female hosts for extra security.

Remember to check with your host regarding their home internet situation. Some locations aren't equipped for nomads who need a fast connection.

Once you've found a place to stay - don't be a stranger! Your host wants to learn about your culture, hear your stories, and share their own. Make an effort to socialise, go out for a meal, and learn a bit of the local language. Bringing an inexpensive gift from your travels/home country is a polite gesture.

Couchsurfing is an ideal option for adaptable extroverts and backpackers on a budget. It probably won't suit nomads who like their personal space, or who dislike changes in routine.

Advantages

  • Free accommodation
  • Make new friends and connections
  • Live the local lifestyle: food, housing, language, music, activities etc.

Disadvantages

  • No privacy or personal space
  • Obligation to socialise (not the best for introverts or very work-focused folks)
  • Can sometimes be unsafe

2. Hostels

Easygoing, sociable nomads looking to make new friends and save on spending might find their tribe at a hostel.

Hostels provide travellers with a bed, communal bathroom and kitchen facilities, and shared living areas. Usually, bedrooms are dormitory style, but many hostels also offer private rooms.

Staying at a hostel is a perfect base camp for solo nomads or those new to travelling. The atmosphere is friendly, and hostel staff and residents are happy to volunteer advice, give directions, or assist if you're struggling in your new location.

Living in close quarters leaves plenty of opportunities to make friends, and talking about travel might be the easiest icebreaker. Ask your roommates where they're from and if they're enjoying the city you're staying in.

Hostels can also organise social outings and events for their residents. These might include: bar crawls at night, market trips during the day, themed parties in common areas, cooking classes, or city tours. Attending a hostel event is a great way to explore your new surroundings and meet like-minded people.

Hostels are a very low-cost option for accommodation. Listed below are average monthly prices in some of the most popular cities.

If you're convinced hostel living is a good fit, you can jump right into booking for your destination. We'd recommend using a site that lets you compare prices and ratings for different hostels (Booking.com or Hostelz.com).

While uncommon, property theft is a risk you should prepare for. The hostel will provide you with a personal locker for your belongings, but you'll need to invest in a combination padlock to keep them secure.

Hostels are a great accommodation option for solo travellers, backpackers, and social butterflies. They might not be suitable for introverts or nomads who need a quiet working space to focus.

Advantages

  • Affordable cost
  • Meet friends with similar lifestyles from all over the world
  • Invitations to social events and excursions

Disadvantages

  • Lack of privacy and personal space
  • Noise and distractions make it challenging to focus on work
  • Need to secure or hide your valuables

3. Van Life

Resourceful adventurers searching for freedom and simplicity in their travels should consider taking the van life plunge.

Van lifers live out of a vehicle containing their kitchen, bedroom, storage, and sometimes bathroom amenities. While any vehicle can become your mobile home, vans, buses, and RVs with water lines and self-contained toilets make for more comfortable living arrangements.

Living in a van is a brilliant way to experience the wilderness, challenge yourself, and see a different side of your destination. Van life lends itself to outdoorsy locations such as parks and campsites, making this accommodation a perfect fit for nature lovers and those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of cities.

Some countries suit van life better than others. Before you go, check that your destination has enough facilities and cheap campsites for vans. Some welcoming options are Canada, France, New Zealand, and Norway.

Van life can be expensive. Aside from hiring costs, travellers will also need to consider fuel costs and campsite fees. Listed below are average monthly prices for hiring a camper-van at popular cities.

Before you embark on the van life, it's vital to get internet access set up. You'll likely be staying in remote locations, so investing in a mobile hotspot device and signal booster could be a lifesaver for nomads who need reliable WIFI.

Have a solid plan and set aside a rainy day fund for emergencies like breakdowns. A van breakdown isn't just a breakdown of your transport but your house too!

Going from living in a house to van life isn't an easy transition. But it can be a life-changing experience that brings fulfilment, joy, and unforgettable memories.

If you're an adaptable free-spirit who wants to downsize to a simpler lifestyle, van life might be the answer. However, if you're a nomad who enjoys the comforts of modern life and regular showers, van life may be a bridge too far.

Advantages

  • A very unique and hands-on travel experience
  • Freedom to move from place to place, no reliance on public transport
  • A great way to get close to nature (park beneath the stars, work to the sound of waves, or cook dinner at a campsite in the woods)

Disadvantages

  • Expensive depending on your country of choice
  • Internet access can be very unreliable
  • Dealing with toilets (Self-contained chemical toilets need to be maintained and emptied. For vans without toilets: regular access to public bathrooms is a must.)

4. Hotel or Airbnb

Introverted nomads or lovers of comfort looking for a peaceful, pleasant "home away from home" will be best served by a traditional stay at a hotel or Airbnb.

Hotel or Airbnb apartments provide a private space featuring a bedroom, bathroom, and kitchen facilities. The building may also include shared amenities such as a gym, swimming pool, or laundry room.

Hotel or Airbnb stays are a great accommodation option for nomads who don't mind paying a bit more for peace and quiet. In the privacy of your own room you're free to listen to music, focus on your work, or unwind in the bathtub.

Even the most basic of hotels or Airbnb apartments usually offer more luxuries than a hostel stay: providing guests with complimentary toiletries, Netflix, and breakfast ingredients. Staff at hotels are also willing to help with transport, restaurant bookings, and any problems you find with your room.

Hotel and Airbnb apartments are among the most costly accommodation options, but whether they are worth the price depends largely on your location. Affluent countries and central cities tend to have the most expensive rates while developing nations and rural areas usually have affordable offers. Many places also offer discounts for travellers staying longer than a month. Listed below are the average monthly costs for hotels/Airbnbs in some of the most popular cities for nomads.

Before you book an Airbnb or hotel it's important to check ratings and carefully read through reviews. Discovering faults in the building (or host) early on can help you avoid very unpleasant experiences.

Asking your host or hotel about their WIFI capacity is a wise move if you're planning to work from the building, but again, reviews from fellow travellers are likely to give the most accurate judgement.

Hotel or Airbnb apartments are an excellent choice for introverts, couples, or those who like their space. They might not be best for solo travellers craving social activity or nomads sticking to a budget.

Advantages

  • Privacy of your own living area
  • High level of comfort
  • Staff assistance if you need help or directions

Disadvantages

  • More expensive than other options
  • WIFI can be unreliable
  • Be vigilant with checking reviews before you book (places may have thin walls, faulty showers or poor cleanliness standards)

5. Co-living

Nomads who want the best of both worlds - the privacy of a hotel and the social atmosphere of a hostel - might find Co-living to be the Goldilocks of accommodation.

Co-living provides a private studio room with a bedroom, bathroom, and small kitchenette. Full-size kitchens, working areas, and other amenities are available to be shared by all residents.

Co-living is a perfect marriage of hotel and co-working space. Nomads have opportunities to meet and socialise while working or making meals, but are also free to retreat into their rooms to rest and recharge.

With a focus on marketing themselves towards digital nomads, Co-living stays are equipped with reliable high-speed internet. Co-living also provides plenty of shared features to keep active nomads happy: gyms, yoga classes, or swimming pools in the convenience of your building.

Co-living is one of the more expensive accomodation options, but considering you won't need to pay for a co-working space while you stay, it may be well worth the price. The co-living system also lends itself toward lengthier stays, usually 3 to 6 months at a time, offering a greater discount the more months are booked.

Listed below are average monthly costs for co-living in popular cities.

If you're interested in giving co-living a try, search for places at your destination on sites like Coliving.com. Co-living is yet to become popular in many countries, and buildings are usually limited to central cities. You may need to shop around before you find something that suits you.

Co-living's balanced style is a good fit for almost anybody (especially travellers who want to stay in place for a few months), but this option isn't likely to work for nomads who want to stay in small or remote cities.

Advantages

  • Sense of community
  • Designed for digital work
  • Privacy of your own room

Disadvantages

  • Often has a minimum length of stay requirement
  • More expensive than other options
  • Only available in major cities and certain countries

Choosing a place to stay that suits your personality and habits is important. We hope this list can help you make the right choice in your hunt for accommodation. Best of luck with your travels!