Where Will I Live on Remote Year? - An Inside Look at Remote Year Accommodations
11. Nov. 2021
One of the most common questions that we get when someone first learns about what Remote Year is: “Wait. So where would I… live?”
It’s true - though so much of what brings people to a work and travel program has to do with cultural experiences, extensive and sustainable travel, and the opportunity to join a supportive community, at the end of the day you want to know where you’re going to be laying your head.
Unlike on a short-term vacation, where your hotel or Airbnb serves solely as a place to sleep and bathe, you’ll be spending an entire month in your Remote Year accommodation. You’re likely to make breakfasts in your kitchenette, chill with your community in your common spaces, and maybe even choose to work from your home away from home for a few days.
This is more than a temporary space. You want to know that the room you’ll be staying in will be secure, clean, and comforting throughout your time in each city. What you may not expect is that each accommodation will also be culturally-unique, giving you the opportunity to live like a local, instead of a tourist who is just passing through.
What can I expect from Remote Year accommodations?
Much like the workspaces that Remote Year coordinates for participants in each city, each destination’s accommodations will have their own individual vibe and layout. No two are the same! However, there are a few things that you can expect to have in every Remote Year apartment.
Every Remote Year apartment will have:
A private bedroom
You’ll become incredibly close with the other members of your Remote Year community, but we’re guessing you’re going to need a bit of “alone time” too. That’s where your private bedroom comes in. This will be your personal sanctuary, a place where you can relax after a long day of work.
Linens and towels
When you’re traveling the world and living out of a suitcase for an entire year, the last thing you want to do is take up precious space with linens. Don’t worry - your Remote Year apartment will take care of that for you. Hooray for lighter luggage!
suitcase
Image Credit: @mylinhtvan
An internet connection
Though we recommend that you work from the Remote Year-coordinated workspace while on program (they’re beautiful and have high-speed internet!), you will have an internet connection at your apartment. Speed will vary, but you’ll be able to send emails and do some casual browsing from your accommodations.
Support
Here’s the real kicker: we’ve got your back. Travel is unpredictable, and so is life, so things are bound to go wrong once or twice on your adventure. If you need maintenance help with your apartment, our on-the-ground team will help you solve the issue.
Some things vary between Remote Year apartments:
Roommates
Sometimes, you’ll have an entirely private apartment, and sometimes you will share a space with one or more roommates from the Remote Year community. You will still have a private bedroom (that’s a guarantee!), but common spaces like living rooms, kitchenettes, and bathrooms may be shared.
Size and style of your space
So here’s the thing about traveling to a new city every month: things are going to change. No two cities are the same, and your apartments won’t be either. The size, look, and vibe of your accommodations will vary over the course of your time on program, but that’s the beauty of travel. For example: apartments in Kyoto can reflect the clean lines and smaller sizes that are common in Japan, while your place in Lima could reflect the warm, contemporary style that is popular in the South American city.
Size and functionality of the available kitchen
Kitchens vary from city to city and may not always have the appliances that you’re used to having at home. However, at a minimum, kitchens will always have a small refrigerator, a hot plate or stovetop, and basic utensils.
Availability and size of a closet
No surprise here, some apartments will have hanging storage space available, while others have more limited options. Keep this in mind when you’re putting together your packing list!
Restaurant with view
Image Credit: Lindsay Tigar
Desk or work area in your apartment
Some apartments have a desk, while others may have a small table that you could answer a few emails from. If you’re having trouble focusing in your apartment, we always recommend working from the 24/7 workspace.
Availability of a TV or other electronics
The size and availability of a television and other electronics in your apartment will vary from city to city.
Cleaning services
This is a game-changer: some Remote Year apartments offer cleaning services. The cost of the cleaning services and the frequency will vary when the service is available, so it’s best to keep your apartment consistently tidy.
Cost and availability of laundry
Laundry will not always be available in your unit or building, and when it is available, you’ll often need to pay to use the service. Our advice: keep a bit of extra cash on hand in case of spills or stains.
Availability of a safe in your apartment
Some Remote Year apartments come with a safe where you can store your valuables, so we recommend that you consider what you truly need to bring with you on this trip before packing all your little luxuries.
Building amenities
The cost and availability of amenities will differ from city to city. Some Remote Year apartments will have pools, or equipment like printers for you to use, while others will not.
Views
Surprise! Every room that you stay in will have a different view. In Chiang Mai, you may have a view of the mountains, while in Mexico City, you could be looking out at the sprawling metropolis.
City shot
Image Credit: @kailabeann
Temperature control
Just as the climate will change from destination to destination, your ability to control the temperature in your apartment will too. It could be that your Remote Year apartment will have centralized or in-room control, while some apartments don’t allow the temperature to be individually regulated.
Outdoor space
Some Remote Year apartments will have outdoor common spaces or balconies that you can enjoy with your community, while others won’t. Thankfully, you’re in a brand new city full of incredible opportunities to get outside. You heard us, get out there!
There’s no place like your home away from home
And now, what you’ve been waiting for: a sneak peek into what a Remote Year apartment can look like! We asked the Remote Year community to weigh in and tell us about the accommodations that they lived in over the course of their time on program - and why they loved them.
Kyoto
It’s easy to see why Remotes love this accommodation in Kyoto - it’s less like an apartment and more like a large home! Though this place is not necessarily representative of the entirety of accommodations that Remote Year provides, it was so well-loved by Remotes that we knew we needed to show it to you. Let Justin, a Balboa Remote turned Citizen, show you around.
Chiang Mai
This apartment in Chiang Mai is light and bright, with views of the mountains and a kitchenette that feels “homey”. This apartment is a great example of what a private apartment looks like on Remote Year. Anneka, a Mangata Remote turned Citizen, gives you the tour:
Lima
Look to this apartment in Lima to get a sense of what it is like to live with housemates while on Remote Year. This accommodation boasts large common spaces and a functional kitchen, perfect for spending a night in with your crew. Take it away, Justin:
Lisbon
Not every apartment is fully contemporary - take this accommodation in Lisbon for example. It is a part of a historic building that survived the bombings that took place throughout the wars that affected Portugal. It is full of character, but has the contemporary amenities that you need to feel at home. Holly, an Ohana Remote, shows off her space:
Cape Town
Some of Cape Town’s apartments have been given cheeky monikers, like Holly’s room called the Pelé room. It’s fully furnished with clean, modern pieces and a large bathroom to boot. Check out Holly’s video to see what it would be like to live in Cape Town on Remote Year:
Knowing what your apartment will look like as you travel the globe is both comforting and motivating. Can you picture yourself living in any of these apartments? Hundreds of Remotes have taken the leap and made these accommodations their home away from home for an entire year. Are you next?
