This piece regarding locating digital nomad rentals and local accommodations for a month or more is authored by the writer of the leading book on living abroad: A Better Life for Half the Price. The content was refreshed in December, 2024.
Securing a short-term apartment for a week or two is quite straightforward these days. Finding a rental for a year is also relatively easy upon arrival. The intermediate option, however, can be somewhat challenging. Although an increasing number of individuals can work remotely with their laptops, the local accommodations suitable for a one- to three-month stay remain limited and less than ideal.
Here’s a question I seem to receive at least monthly regarding my residence in Guanajuato or for other destinations highlighted in my living abroad book, this one extracted directly from the blog comments:
Could you suggest a place to stay for 30-60 days? Thank you.
No, I’m afraid I can’t. Apologies. I’m not a real estate professional or landlord, and I engage in full-time work. I can’t function as your assistant searching for local accommodations for one or two months. I can indicate where to find affordable housing for a month or longer, but the rest is up to you.
If you’re seeking a decent place to stay at a reasonable price, anywhere globally, some effort will be required. However, I have a few suggestions for you.
For those with ample financial resources, it’s quite straightforward. You simply visit vacation rental platforms like Airbnb or Vrbo, select an option that won’t exhaust your budget, and you’re set. Many listings that are not primary residences offer a lower rate for monthly rentals compared to weekly ones. I frequently do this to get a feel for the upper end of the market.
In locations such as Tirana or Chiang Mai, this can still be quite economical. However, in cities like Geneva or Singapore, locating a reasonable apartment for a couple of months poses a different challenge.
If you’re not affluent, you must dedicate some time to identify the right rental for one to three months. Here are your choices for finding local accommodations for a month or more.
1) Start with the obvious: vacation rental sites, monthly pricing
If you’re pressed for time, desire a vast array, aren’t budget-conscious, and wish to arrange everything from your sofa with a laptop or tablet, simply go to a vacation rental site like VRBO or Airbnb and book something. While you’ll likely pay significantly above the market rate, it’s incredibly convenient. If your time holds much value, just proceed and secure exactly what you desire.
If you seek options beyond these established players, numerous regional agencies focus on longer-term rentals, ensuring you’re not seeing properties rented out for a weekend juxtaposed with two months in the same place. I utilized one of these that caters exclusively to Bansko, Bulgaria, and secured a wonderful apartment for €260 for an entire month, increasing to around €300 a year later, plus about €17 for electricity, billed after.
Mine was somewhat of an indulgence to gain more space. Many locals I met were paying roughly €200 per month, not significant for their highest monthly bill while living in Bansko. See the agency’s current offerings here.
So, it’s beneficial to check local Facebook groups or co-working spaces to determine if there’s something similar in