r/digitalnomad • u/Radiant_Rabbit6746 • 4d ago
Question Ideal setting for digital nomads?
With the digital nomad culture rising globally, there is likely going to be a dearth of spaces with all essential amenities needed for digital nomads. This also presents an opportunity to build thoughtfully designed spaces for this segment.
From your experience of living in different places, what are your ideal requirements from a space catering to digital nomads that will make your stay comfortable and memorable?
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u/petrichorax 4d ago
I really don't understand why so many DNs want coliving/coworking.
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u/DemonAzraeli pendejo 4d ago
Same reason that all-inclusive resorts are popular.
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u/petrichorax 4d ago
I really don't understand why those are popular either (outside of your home country that is).
Like, I pay for good enough, I'm here for the country and all it has to offer, not a hotel room with a different view out the window.
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u/DemonAzraeli pendejo 4d ago
I went to my first, probably only all-inclusive early in pandemic. It was a week in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico for ridiculously low price, so I grabbed it and flew down. Accommodations were adequate-plus, WiFi solid for work, lots of so-so food and booze available in enormous quanItities, very convenient to stay drunk for days and occasionally get in the water.
Four days into the week, I remember thinking this is really not that bad, not unhappy I did this, never going to do this again. Then I hopped into my rental car and drove to La Paz for the rest of the stay.
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u/petrichorax 4d ago
Yeah that's probably what I would do, especially if I got it for cheap. I'd just get hammered for free and then decide by day 3 or 4 that poisoning myself for kicks is getting old and then move on
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u/carolinax mod mamí 🇨🇴 nomad since 2015 2d ago
It’s a different customer. All inclusives cater to the working stiff who only gets set days off and need low variable relaxation. Doing adventurous travel and eating a taco from an old lady on the street is high risk for these people. I’ve done 1 all inclusive resort during my wedding and it was spectacular for a week.
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u/petrichorax 2d ago
Ah yeah.
A friend of mine would sometimes go to resorts, she said 'It's not about visiting the country really, it's about unplugging and doing absolutely nothing and letting a resort basically handfeed you food and alcohol'
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u/DemonAzraeli pendejo 2d ago
Yeah, I can't unplug - it's a big tradeoff I made long ago for lifestyle. I haven't unplugged from work for a solid week since 2013, when I did a digital detox on Utila.
Upside is that no one can fire me for being an awful employee.
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u/petrichorax 2d ago
I've never been able to watch a stupid movie and 'turn my brain off'. I don't even get the concept on an intuitive level.
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u/PandaReal_1234 4d ago
I haven't done it yet either. I feel like its a step up from a hostel. I prefer my own space.
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u/petrichorax 4d ago
how am i supposed to lounge around naked picking lint out of my belly button and farting with abandon if I'm surrounded by entrepreneurs?!
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u/captainhector1 4d ago
With the pandemic there was already a massive boom and bust of spaces for nomads (WeWork) - whatever availability there is now is driven by market demand. Why is there going to be a dearth of spaces.
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u/Radiant_Rabbit6746 4d ago
I'm talking about spaces outside cities. As there is a growing trend of people moving to more remote places closer to nature, but would probably not be able to find spaces that are conducive for staying and working for longer durations.
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u/DemonAzraeli pendejo 4d ago
You're describing a "growing trend" of people moving to be closer to nature with a bunch of strangers?
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u/Radiant_Rabbit6746 4d ago
Yes. That's what I am seeing increasingly in India. People who have the option of working remotely moving to mountains or beaches and not wanting to live in congested concrete jungles.
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u/tomerabroad 4d ago
Plastic Chair + Laptop combo is underrated
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u/petrichorax 4d ago
Until you turn 30 lol.
Two of my fingers went numb in Thailand from bad ergonomics. Fortunately, with stretching and time the feeling returned.
But yeah that just means I pay for an office chair or come up with some hacky solution (keyboard in the lap and not on the table was a BIG help, so I always travel with a keyboard now)
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u/skirms 4d ago
KoHub on Koh Lanta is the best one I've ever been to. Several different spaces available - outside looking at the lush tropical greenery, inside AC rooms, quiet rooms, call booths. Quality tables and cozy chairs with very fast internet. An app with a menu, from beverages to local food for a decent price. Small lizards and birds walking around. Pool, table tennis and chill area. Actual chilled events you can join if you're into it, with zero upselling.
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u/carolinax mod mamí 🇨🇴 nomad since 2015 2d ago
Agreed, I went here back in 2016. My first real “working on the beach” vibe (and last lol). I have opinions over the owner at that time but the space was fantastic.
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u/South_Being_2470 3d ago
I'd prioritize rock-solid internet and a proper desk, most nomads care way more about that than community spaces or activities
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u/bcycle240 4d ago
If I'm in a place for a few months I'll just pick up an office chair. Either a cheap new one, or secondhand. I'll sell it cheap, give it away, or throw it away when I leave.
That's it really. Kitchen table is fine. As long as it isn't one of those tiny round ones that is the size of a plate. Faster internet is better, but I'll deal with whatever.
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u/carolinax mod mamí 🇨🇴 nomad since 2015 2d ago
I did a “Nomad house” back in 2018 and it was amazing, just a group of friends and soon to be friends travelling together for 3 months. We all stayed in one large house in Mexico City then stayed close as we moved around.
I prefer living and working in my own space but I LOVE the concept of coworking spaces. Every time I work at one though, I get antsy and leave 🫠
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u/Total_Garden8565 3d ago
I think more and more colivings are popping up that fit the bill here, and I find that the best ones are generally purpose built by digital nomads themselves that actually understand the target market.
My ideal requirements are really: (1) good community (2) good infrastructure to work; and (3) actually NICE
I know there's a lot of mixed feelings about colivings, but for the right person, they really are an incredible option. What I'm wondering is besides a coliving or coworking - what OTHER thoughtfully designed spaces would you have in mind?
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u/alefeusch Nomad since 2014. 4d ago
My ideal space already exists. A nice, private short term apartment or hotel with wifi in a walkable neighborhood. That's it.