Why Choosing Hostels as a Digital Nomad
At Parakar, our goal is to break down geographical borders, connecting employees and employers no matter where they are in the world. One of our employees started the remote work lifestyle as a digital nomad, traveling full-time while continuing her work. In this blog series, you’ll get an inside look at her experiences combining travel and remote work, sharing her experience in this dynamic lifestyle.
As a digital nomad, you have the freedom to work from anywhere, which means that you need accommodations that complement both work and travel lifestyle. While some opt for hotels or short-term apartment rentals, I’ve found hostels to be the perfect fit. Hostels offer a unique blend of affordability, community, and flexibility that make them ideal for remote workers traveling full-time.
Work-Life Balance as a Digital Nomad in Hostels
One of the biggest advantages of staying in hostels as a digital nomad is the ability to easily blend work with leisure. Many hostels are centrally located, offering easy access to local attractions, hiking trails, and cultural experiences.
After a day of work, I often find myself joining new friends for evening activities, whether it’s a casual dinner, sunset, or even a shared workout. This balance between work and social interaction makes life without permanent residence and friends and family manageable for a longer period.
The Social and Financial Benefits of Staying in Hostels
A major plus on hostels for digital nomads is the social experience. Traveling alone can get lonely, but staying in hostels allows you to meet like-minded travelers from around the world. Whether it’s fellow remote workers, or long-term travelers, it’s easy to make a connection. Many hostels offer a communal atmosphere with shared spaces like kitchens, lounges, and even coworking areas, making it easier to meet people.
Financially, hostels are typically much more affordable than hotels or renting an apartment. Some hostels also offer discounted weekly or monthly rates, which are perfect for those staying longer in one place. Coworking spaces connected to the hostels are also likely to be free of charge, while finding a cowork in the center will costs you a daily fee.
Finding the Right Hostels for Work and Play
Not all hostels are created equal, especially when it comes to balancing work and fun. Party hostels can be fun, but they’re not the best option if you need to focus on getting work done. I’ve found that choosing hostels with a more relaxed vibe, or those that specifically offer coworking areas, are the best.
In some places they’re easier to find than others, but it’s worth to look for them. Reading reviews from others can also help you avoid hostels where late-night noise might interfere with your productivity.
However, staying productive can sometimes be challenging when you’re always on the move. That’s why having the right strategies in place is key. If you want to dive deeper into this, check out my 5 Tips for Staying Productive While Traveling Full Time, where I share practical advice on how to keep up the productivity even in busy or ever-changing places.
Staying in hostels as a digital nomad offers the perfect combination of social interaction, cost savings, and flexibility. By choosing the right hostels, you can maintain productivity while still embracing the exciting, ever-changing lifestyle that comes with working remotely. So, if you’re thinking about the digital nomad lifestyle and are not sure how to approach it, don’t overlook hostels – they may just be the key for a social work-travel experience.
