A long city stopover can be a great way to break up the monotony of being a digital nomad. With more time comes more freedom, and you can take advantage of the situation and opportunities that most people don’t ever get. Being in a major city means you are never too far from something fun and unique, and you know what they say about all work and no play. From finding suitable coworking spaces to managing goals, here are some handy, city-busting suggestions.
Take a Walk and Get Lost
As of yet, walking is still free, so you can make the most of it when touring a new city. When you have some spare time, you are in a fortunate position to reap what a city has to offer, before you have to get back to work. Cities like Sydney are cultural icons, and you can use Sydney luggage storage facilities to stash your pack and anything that will weigh you down. That way, you can use your god-given tootsies to take it slow and absorb some of the town’s greatest attractions.
Find Workspaces on a Long City Stopover
According to some estimates, around 21% of digital nomads use coworking spaces. You don’t need to join the cult of WeWork, as there are plenty of non-committal spaces for getting your work done in a safe, ergonomic and modern facility that encourages remote work productivity:
- Look for spaces that offer flex desks for short-term use with no long-term commitment.
- Ensure that any coworking space has a suitable, stable and fast Wi-Fi connection.
- If you can’t find one or can’t afford it, modern cafés are an excellent alternative.
Meet Up with Local Communities
While being a digital nomad is usually a solitary job, you are never alone. No matter where you are, there are groups of like-minded people, such as other digital nomads, with whom you can connect. Facebook Groups, and platforms such as Eventbrite can connect you with locals and other travellers for fun in the sun, or making the most of the place you are currently staying at. This can be an excellent way to tour a city safely and get to know the places for what you need.
Consider Co-Living Spaces
Like coworking spaces, there are also coliving spaces in major cities. These are a genuine Godsend when staying in capital and popular cities where accommodation costs can be eye-watering. Rather than footing the bill, you can share the cost with locals or other digital nomads also on a long stayover. Since not all digital nomad work pays that well, you can still get the nomadic experience while visiting some of the world’s most fascinating cities and locations.
Get Exploring on a Long City Stopover
While there is no definitive duration, some experts recommend you spend between five and eight weeks in each place before moving on as a digital nomad. That makes a long city stopover much more likely, with plenty of time to explore where you are and really take the location in. From the restaurants of Mayfair in London to New York’s bridges, it’s all about the experience.
Take a public transport tour
Public transport is efficient in most places, and is often more convenient than using a car in larger, denser cities such as New York, LA and London, and is usually pretty cheap too.
Take in the sights
Why visit a city or a fascinating place to stay in a hotel room, arguing on Reddit? This is a waste of time, and you might regret not taking in some tourist sights when you reflect later on.
Zip around on a scooter
Walking isn’t for everyone, and public transport is subject to waiting times and density. However, many cities today, especially in Europe, offer convenient and pretty fast electric scooters.
Create Your Own Opportunities
There are usually some pretty nifty things happening within a city, especially around the centre. However, some of these may not be for you, or you may be there during the off-season, and things are quiet. For example, Pride events, while fun, aren’t everyone’s cup of tea, and cities are usually quiet at certain times of the year. But that doesn’t mean you can’t have fun. With limitless opportunities, you can make your own with walking tours or organised dinner events.
Stay Flexible with Work
It can be pretty exciting to stay over in a city like Tokyo, New York or Hong Kong, and it’s also tempting to spread your wings. However, you are there to work. Understanding your work needs and how you approach tasks can help you make better use of time. Flexibility is an often misunderstood part of efficient working practices. You can have a solid plan, but productivity can dip for a short period. This is when you take advantage of your free time and have more fun.
Set Work Goals on a Long City Stopover
There are a few things that get in the way when travelling and working. Around 30% of digital nomads find it hard to focus because of time zone differences. However, this should subside during a longer stay. Goals and objectives are a powerful way to ensure you stay on track:
- Set a start and end time for work and focus on completing a set amount of tasks.
- Focusing on your tasks and getting them out of the way offers more freedom for fun.
- Include time for breaks and eating between your workday to keep you going.
Treat It Like a Vacation
So, you aren’t on vacation when completing digital nomad work all over the world. However, you are in a unique position to visit attractions and sights that you might otherwise never have seen. If you are responsible, you can treat it like a vacation. But this depends on some things. For example, don’t have fun before you have completed your work. Getting up early and completing work will open up your free time, but of course, you must also go to bed at a reasonable time.
Summary
Sometimes, just taking a walk and getting lost in the urban splash of modern society will help you make the most of the time you spend on a long city stopover as a digital nomad. Of course, you may want to explore the city, and public transport, tourist sites and even electric scooters can help you take the place in. If you are responsible and have an objective plan, you can free up your time by getting work done, so you can then treat your stayover like a small vacation.
