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Real estate for digital nomads

April 15, 2022
Home News / Blog Real estate for digital nomads

Digital nomads are workers who use modern technology in order to work remotely. They are independent in terms of their work location, which is the biggest positive aspect of being a digital nomad.

Some of the pros of living a digital nomad life, except for being able to work from anywhere in the world, is that you can tailor your life any way you want to and meet people from around the world (if you decide to travel while working). You won’t be hassled by traffic jams and you can be inspired by new environments every day.

On the other hand, some cons of being a digital nomad are that you might experience an emotional burnout if you don’t make a clear working schedule. Also, if you decide to be in the freelancing business, you could face financial instability, as you depend on each job, which can affect your ability to invest in your own real estate.

It is crucial to be well organized if you wish to become a digital nomad, as being in a beautiful location can often interfere with your deadlines. Who can resist being at the beach and sunbathing all day, right? Well, if you want to be a successful digital nomad, that’s exactly what you will need to do.

Croatia offers so much for the digital nomad community: you will be living the best Mediterranean lifestyle, the climate is mild, the internet connection is optimal, and the healthcare is also good!

Where can we find digital nomads in Croatia?

The most popular locations in Croatia for digital nomads are the places on the Mediterranean coast, or the capital, Zagreb. It really depends on what environment you wish to live in.

In Zagreb, you can expect somewhat hectic day-to-day life, as many bigger cities have, but at the same time, it is a gorgeous city with many events happening every day. You can enjoy the magnificent architecture, eat some of the most delicious food, and find many coffee shops that will make you happy that you live a life of a digital nomad.

If you wish to live in a bit more relaxed environment, Dalmatia is the ideal choice for you. Cities like Split, Zadar, Šibenik and Dubrovnik are the most popular ones for digital nomads but don’t fret about trying living on an island like Krk or Brač.

If you wish to buy a property, you will find many beautiful housings for a much lower price than in the rest of Europe, and you can make money out of it because tourism is pretty strong in Croatia.

Types of digital nomad accommodation

As we mentioned already, the percentage of digital nomads is increasing because more and more people decide to work remotely.

There are different housing options digital nomads choose, and it depends on the length of their stay, as well as the style of the stay.

Keep reading to find out all the housing options you have as a digital nomad.

Short term apartment

Short term rents are a great option if you’re looking to stay at one place for a month or more, and if you’re not interested in the networking side of the digital nomad lifestyle. 

If you desire to have total privacy, this option is perfect for you.

Some pros/cons of renting an apartment is that these types of rentals are usually not very flexible. If you set a check out date, you probably won’t be able to extend your stay. 

Depending on the country you decide to live in, the prices may vary from cheap to expensive. Many apartments are usually too big for a single person, so it might get too expensive to live solo, but some might say, there is no “too expensive” when it comes to having peace of mind.

In some cases, the prices of short-term rentals can get as low as the prices of a year-long rent, so make sure to thoroughly do your research before signing a lease.

digital nomads

Co-living accommodation

The digital nomad community is blooming, as there are co-living communities all around the globe. Co-living accommodation is an amazing opportunity to meet like-minded people and broaden your social network.

This option makes it much more affordable to live in big cities such as New York, so it’s a good choice if you’re on a budget or wish to save a few bucks.

Living in a digital nomad community is getting more popular and each year there are more cities that you can live in this way, but it’s still focused on major cities.

Hotel

Hotels are a good option if you’re planning a short stay, but if you’re planning to live in one place a bit longer, it could get a bit pricey.

Another downside of renting a hotel room is that there is not much social interaction, so you might get lonely during your stay. 

On the other hand, you will find a hotel wherever you plan to stay, so you will have a lot of choices to pick from.

Hostel

Hostels are quite a popular choice for digital nomads, especially in places without a co-living option. They are usually in great locations and the community vibe is special.

The facilities might not be suitable for digital nomads, as you will hardly find a quiet spot to work at, but you can always roam around town and find a secluded and peaceful place.

Another possible downside of staying at a hostel is the internet connection. If many people are connected to a shared Wi-Fi, well, you can presume what happens. So, before booking a hostel, make sure to check if they have a good internet connection and if not, find out if there are places nearby you can work in.

The most desirable features of digital nomad housing

Now that you know all the housing options for your future nomadic lifestyle, let’s talk about features you need to look for before renting!

First and foremost is the internet connection: make sure you will have fast and reliable internet access so you don’t get yourself in a situation where you’re unable to work.

Another important factor is that you need a quiet, soundproof space for Zoom calls if you’re having them regularly on your job. It can be quite distressing trying to talk business while there is a lot of noise around you, both for you and the person on the line.

And last but not least, unless you are an introvert, you should look for places where you can network and meet other digital nomads, as it can be a life-changing experience. You never know who you will meet and how that person can affect your life.

How does remote work affect real estate?

Since the pandemic, the world has taken a big turn. Many office workers switched to remote working, and that affected pretty much everything.

Real estate is pretty much a business based on demand. As people switched from offices to homes, the demand for business buildings dropped. 

Also, people are looking more into living in the suburbs or closer to nature, especially because they no longer need to commute to work.

The housing market is still in a good place, the only thing that changed is that more people are buying properties outside of the city.

All of these changes will surely affect the future of real estate, especially the look of future offices. Also, the demand for homes with an office will experience an increase.

On the bottom line, the world is changing and the way we live is changing also. And we think it’s a good thing that people are gaining more freedom and can choose where and how they want to work