This article about locating digital nomad rentals and local accommodations for a duration of a month or more comes from the author of the best-selling book on living abroad: A Better Life for Half the Price. It was revised in December, 2024.
Finding a short-term rental for a week or two has become quite simple recently. Securing housing for a year post-arrival is not too difficult either. However, the middle ground can present some challenges. With an increasing number of individuals capable of working remotely with their laptops, the local accommodations available for a one- to three-month period are still somewhat limited and not always ideal.
I often receive a recurring question regarding my living situation in Guanajuato or other locations featured in my living abroad book, pulled directly from the comments section of my blog:
Can you suggest a place to stay for 30-60 days? Thank you.
No, I truly can’t. Apologies. I’m not a real estate agent or a landlord, and I have a full-time job. I can’t act as your assistant to help find local accommodations for a month or two. I can guide you on where to search for affordable housing for a month or longer, but after that, it’s up to you.
If you seek a good place at a reasonable price anywhere globally, you will need to put in some effort. However, I have some recommendations for you.
If your budget is substantial, it’s quite straightforward. Just visit vacation rental platforms like Airbnb or Vrbo, select an option that fits your budget, and you’re all set. Most listings that are not primary homes tend to offer lower rates for monthly rentals compared to weekly ones. I frequently do this to gauge what the high end of the market offers.
In cities like Tirana or Chiang Mai, this approach can still yield significant savings. However, in places like Geneva or Singapore, finding a reasonably priced apartment for a couple of months can be quite challenging.
If you’re not affluent, you need to dedicate some time to find the ideal rental for one to three months. Here are some strategies to locate local accommodations for a month or more.
1) Begin with the obvious: vacation rental sites, monthly rates
If you’re pressed for time, desire a broad selection, have a flexible budget, and want to arrange everything comfortably from your couch with a laptop or tablet, simply visit a vacation rental site such as VRBO or Airbnb and reserve something. Yes, you will be paying significantly more than the market rate, but it’s very convenient. If your time holds great value, just proceed and secure exactly what you need.
If you expand your search beyond these established platforms, there are numerous regional agencies that focus on longer-term rentals, ensuring you aren’t looking at places booked for both a weekend and two months in the same area. I utilized one that exclusively services Bansko, Bulgaria and found this fantastic apartment for €260 for an entire month, and later around €300 a year later, plus about €17 for electricity, billed afterwards.
Mine was somewhat of an indulgence as well to secure more space. Many of the locals I encountered were paying around €200 a month, which is not excessive for their maximum monthly expenses in Bansko. Check the agency’s current listings here.
Thus, it’s beneficial to explore local Facebook groups or co-working spaces to determine if similar options exist in the location where you