Finding Long Term Stays When Travelling

With more of us working remotely, and the opportunity to even be, dare I say it, digital nomads… There has been an increased demand for longer stays when travelling.

The growth of slower travel, and the trend for workations, means that people are more likely to settle in a town or area and for longer in 2022 and beyond. So what can you do if you’re looking for long term stays when travelling around.

Maybe you’re new to the remote working lifestyle, and thinking that a few months by the beach is better than your commute. So, as seasoned travellers, these are some our best tips for finding long term stays when travelling.

Airbnb

OK, this isn’t a secret, as any digital nomad group from Linkedin to Reddit will tell you about finding Airbnb for long or midterm accommodation. They even offer discounts on Airbnb if you stay for 30 days or more.

But there is a reason that Airbnb is first on the list, and that’s because it is still the easiest place to find long term digs. It has, usually, the widest choice and lots of fun options such as houseboats, tree houses or other quirky pads.

As for price? Well, it isn’t always the cheapest, and long term travellers have been complaining that Airbnb prices have been going up since the pandemic.

But this is still the go-to option for mist digital nomads and long term travellers.

Hotel sites

Sure, hotels aren’t always the best for long term stays. With limited self-catering options and the slightly boring interiors of many hotel chains, it’s easy to rule out a hotel for long term travel accommodation.

But whoa there… Not so fast.

If you’ve checked out sites such as Trivago in recent years, you’ll find that the definition of a hotel has changed slightly. Apartments, hostels and even the modern co-working style hotel (yes, this is a thing) means that hotels are an option. Especially in cheaper countries.

There is an argument for hotels vs Airbnbs, and hotels fare better than you might think.

Facebook groups

Another great place to find long term, or medium term accommodation as a traveller, is to dig into Facebook. There are usually expat groups, digital nomad groups or travel advice groups for cities and regions around the world.

Although this can be a great place to find a property that is closer to the actual market price, there are a few things to watch out for.

First of all, Facebook groups can be packed full of scam artists. Be very wary of putting down a deposit on a place you haven’t seen, or people asking for a fee to view the property. There is also the issue of people subletting, which can cause problems if the original landlord finds out. Ask lots of questions, do viewing and if in doubt, don’t take it.

Warning aside, though, most people find Facebook one of the best places to find affordable long-term or mid-term digs.

Your network

Got friends? Of course you do… If you’re planning to head off to a new city or country for a few weeks or months, it’s always worth asking your friend network for recommendations. You might even end up with a sweet deal!

As an example, we headed to Spain for a few weeks last year, and it turned out that a friend's mother owned a great apartment just a few minutes walk from the beach. We paid for a cleaner when we left, and enough to cover the bills whilst we were there, and we got a great place to call home for two weeks.

You don’t ask, you don’t get…

WWOOFING

OK, this isn’t accommodation, strictly speaking. If you’re not aware of WWOOFING, it’s working on a farm in exchange for accommodation. This usually means you’ll need to help out in some capacity, and it also means you’ll be sharing the place with other volunteers and WWOOF-ers. But it does mean you get somewhere to live, for a very reasonable price.

Check out their site to find out the details.

Other accommodation sites

There are also a growing selection of websites that cater to long term travellers, or those looking for home stays similar to Airbnb.

Take a look at some of these Airbnb alternatives if you’re looking for medium or long term stays when travelling.

• Vrbo - Similar to Airbnb, offers apartments and other holiday homes. Not the cheapest option, but has some great properties!
• Home Exchange - If you own a property, you could use this site to find places to stay, in exchange for other people staying at yours. It doesn’t have to be a straight swap, and this can be a great option for property owners
• House sitting - Look after homes for people while they’re away. You pay a very reasonable fee and get to stay in someone's home while they travel or relocate for work. Also look into petsitting if that’s your kind of thing.

The list grows by the day, so keep your ears open, and you’ll likely hear of even more clever ways to find affordable accommodation for long term travel.