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The best global co-living spaces under $50 a night

Travel + work = welcome to the life and style of a digital nomad… words by Michelle Tchea.

 

Finding the perfect hotel can be a nightmare if you are a roving traveller always on the move.

Boutique hotels can be pricey, motels unforgiving and Airbnb can be hit or miss. But if you consider yourself a bit of a social butterfly, you might want to consider joining the world of co-living.

Forgive yourself if you have not heard of co-living, it is a relatively new idea developed for millennials looking to quench their thirst for travel while working – aka the digital nomad. Co-living spaces charge a flat-fee membership and provide access to designer spaces in furnished apartments with exceptional amenities.

With prices that can range from $30 a day, guests have access to anything from in-house cinemas to Olympic-size swimming pools and of course high-speed internet in stellar spaces. Not only are co-living spaces located in highly-populated cities where rent is often high (New York, Berlin and Barcelona), but one membership allows full access to sister branches in other places to help guests appreciate and manage their nomadic lifestyle. Here are eight of the best co-living spaces to check out.

Roam London Chef’s Kitchen II (Credit_ Roam, Anton Rodriguez)

ROAM (various locations worldwide)

Roam was one of the first companies to set up co-living spaces and continues to entice guests from all around the world with its designer co-living spaces. Investors have seen the success of Roam grow from one outpost in Ubud to Miami, San Francisco, Tokyo and soon New York and London. Starting at $670 a month, a strong sense of community spirit for the digital nomad looking to find adventure while staying ‘plugged in’ and in touch with the world rings throughout all Roam outposts. Private suites are also available, and there are no upfront fees for joining the community.

Website: http://www.roam.co

Roam Tokyo White Room Bed (Credit_ Roam Kenta Hasegawa)

The Collective Old Oak (London)

The Collective Old Oak sparked a lot of interest following its opening two years ago. Not only does it occupy a unique space by the water in North West London but the co-living space helps 500 guests live affordably in the swinging city. Rooms in the Collective come with everything a travelling entrepreneur demands: cinema, sports bar, rooftop area with high-speed internet access, as well as a gym and spa to keep co-livers well and truly happy.

Members of the Collective will soon be able to experience the same vibrant community as London in the US and Germany with expansion promised for the next year. Short term stays are not encouraged but there could be worse things in life than having to live in London for less than $1500 a month with no built-in contract or upfront fees.

Website: http://www.thecollective.com

 

WeLive (USA)

You might have heard of WeWork – co-working spaces created for like-minded entrepreneurs to network and disrupt already-established industries, but have you heard of WeLive? With outposts in New York and Washington, D.C., it offers fully serviced shared and private rooms with all the simple yet essential amenities travellers look for: high-speed internet, cable TV, toiletries and of course free-flowing beer. Encouraging the work-play mantra, community events like group meals, fitness classes and pub crawls are included in the rates, which start at approximately $2000 a month.

Website http://welive.com

 

Ollie (USA)

A little bit of luxury never hurt anyone and Ollie is no exception. Focused on providing more affordable living situations in New York and Pittsburg, with a suite set to open in L.A., Boston and more in the future, Ollie provides designer micro-apartments with a lot of community events for guests to enjoy. Although prices are a little more expensive (fancy soap is one of the perks), for almost $2800 a month, access to a state-of-the-art gym, swimming pool and business classes might be worth the splurge. Although functioning as a co-living space, Ollie primarily focuses on helping residents live comfortably in cities with high property prices.

Website: http://www.ollie.co

Sun and Co, co-living spaces in Spain.

Sun and Co. (Spain)

‘Work Smarter, Live Better’ is the motto of co-living space Sun and Co. Located in a 19th-century house in the centre of Javea, a historic seaside town of Spain, it’s easy to see why travellers are retreating to this newly established co-living space on the Mediterranean coast. With just 20 rooms, the smaller residence also offers an excellent co-working environment to help entrepreneurs and freelances meet deadlines while sunbaking under the hot Spanish sun with tapas and sangria in hand. Private rooms start at $62 a day, with shared rooms starting at just $31 a day.

Website: https://sun-and-co.com

 

Casa Neutral (Italy)

Described as a co-working, co-living and incubator venue for creative entrepreneurs, Casa Neutral is the co-living space for culture buffs on the go. Located in Matera, the European Capital of Culture for 2019, the four-storey residence is housed in a UNESCO World Heritage Site. A strong focus on community-based projects are instilled in the Casa Neutral community and rooms start at just $35 a night.

Website: https://www.benetural.com/it_IT/

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Zoku, Netherlands loft XL

Zoku (Netherlands)

Travelling professionals can call Amsterdam home for a few days or even months in this futuristic home. Reinventing the apartment hotel, rooms convert into private lofts via staircases that pull out into kitchens. A host of workshops are provided for guests with travel writing and rooftop jazz club sessions on offer. With an open social kitchen, bar, game room and community workspace, it’s no wonder Zoku is a favourite for business travellers looking to mingle with other like-minded professionals in Amsterdam.

Website: https://livezoku.com

Zoku, Netherlands living area

Selina (various locations)

Combining shared spaces and a thriving co-working atmosphere, at the core of Selina Hostels are sustainable practices aimed at making the world a better place.

With locations in Nicaragua, Mexico, Panama and more, Selina lets entrepreneurs and travellers achieve a work-life balance. With co-living spaces and co-working offices located in some of the world’s greatest beaches and jungles – productivity and creativity can easily be achieved outside of the regular office cubicle. Co-living space, Playa de Carmen in Mexico has private suites at $50 a night which come with a private bathroom, balcony and epic 360-degree views of the city. Twenty-three locations over nine countries make Selina a co-living powerhouse for entrepreneurs wanting to explore Latin America.

Website: https://www.selina.com

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What the European heatwave means for your summer travel plans

    Rachael Thompson Rachael Thompson
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    Temperatures are soaring this summer, breaking records across Europe and the UK. 

    Euro summer is a feeling like no other. But when a heatwave hits? The dream trip quickly turns into a sweaty mess. Extreme heat is sweeping Europe and the UK this week, with record-high temperatures impacting travel plans across the continent.

    And while Australian summers are typically hotter in absolute temperature, many European cities aren’t equipped for high temperatures, resulting in unbearable weather.

    Why is it so hot in Europe?

    Signs of a hot summer loomed in May, when the mercury hit unprecedented spring highs. Now, extreme high temperature warning alerts have been issued in countries such as Spain, Italy, France, England, the Netherlands and Germany.

    France saw its hottest day on record on Wednesday, with an average temperature of 30°C across the day and night. This surpasses the average temperature for June, which is 15°C to 25°C. Dozens of people have died, including 40 from drowning.

    In Spain, 212 deaths have been linked to the heatwave.

    The UK recorded its hottest June day ever on Wednesday with temperatures soaring to 36.1°C. In an article published by the Met Office – the UK’s national meteorological service – Professor Stephen Belcher CBE, Met Office Chief Scientist, shared his concerns about June’s heat. “To see temperatures like this in the UK in June is sobering. Events like this bring home the implications of climate change, with very high temperatures and humidity bringing significant health implications from heat stress, as well as impacts to a range of sectors such as transport, energy and water supply,” he said.

    Heatwaves are becoming increasingly common in Europe and the UK, neither of which is prepared for such extremes. The World Meteorological Organization reported that in 2025, at least 95% of Europe experienced above-average annual temperatures and that the continent was heating up twice as fast as the global average.

    How travel is impacted

    A pharmacy sign displaying 40 degrees Celcius
    A pharmacy broadcasting local weather data. (Credit: Getty/Dragoncello)

    During a heatwave, power grids, water systems and transport networks can be affected, resulting in disrupted itineraries for travellers. In France, power outages have left thousands without electricity and early closures have been implemented for two of Paris’s biggest attractions, the Eiffel Tower (early afternoon rather than late at night) and the Louvre (two hours early). Eurostar cancelled its London to Paris and Paris to London services from the 22nd to the 25th, and major UK rail companies have been advising travellers to avoid using trains where possible, or to travel during early hours.

    If a heatwave is predicted, being flexible with your itinerary and having fully refundable/changeable tickets is key, as extreme heat can force the cancellation of outdoor activities, impact rail and flight services and change the opening hours of sites and eateries.

    Why does summer in Europe often feel hotter than summer in Australia?

    people swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris
    People swimming in the Canal Saint-Martin in Paris to cool off. (Credit: Rachael Thompson)

    With some of the highest UV levels in the world, Australians are no strangers to the heat, adapting well to intense weather. But our infrastructure is largely equipped to withstand soaring temperatures with climate-responsive passive design, refrigerated air conditioning or evaporative coolers, as well as swimming spots aplenty.

    Buildings in Northern and Western Europe and the UK, however, are constructed to retain heat and handle frosty winters. The lack of universal air conditioning means it generally feels hotter even though the temperature on your app might not look it. During a heatwave, it can feel like you’re in a sauna as cities act like heat traps.

    How to stay cool and prepare for another heatwave

    Relief is expected across Europe and the UK later this week, but more heatwaves are still possible in the coming months. Summer heat typically peaks in July and August.

    Public transport often doesn’t have air conditioning, and buses in particular can be swelteringly hot. If you’re heading outside or your accommodation has no air conditioning, it’s worth buying a spray bottle and a handheld fan from a pharmacy or tourist stand. Check ahead of time if restaurants and cafes have air conditioning and make a booking in advance. The highest temperatures typically hit between 3pm and 6pm, so aim to head outdoors outside of these hours.

    Rising temperatures invite travellers to enter a more intentional era of seeing the world. Now more than ever is the time to embrace lower-impact “coolcations” and off-season getaways.

    The best global co-living spaces under $50 a night