Digital nomads and youth hostels: a winning combination?

Digital nomad: the term alone sparks the imagination! Picture yourself working with your toes in the sand or on the terrace of a lively cafe. But if these scenarios seem attractive, let’s be honest: working with the sun in your eyes can get tiresome! So how can you fully experience the nomadic lifestyle without cutting into your digital productivity? Can a youth hostel be a good basecamp to work from remotely? Let’s take a closer look!

Gear

Let’s begin with the essential: WiFi! Without it, you’re out to lunch. Fortunately, the majority or hostels supply high-speed connections and shared spaces. Their warm, welcoming, lively vibes can both make it easy to work and add a dose of motivation to your day. Saintlo Montreal even offers a coworking space. For super-casual workers, on the other hand, a few hostels even offer hammocks! If your job requires a lot of equipment, however, your options might be limited. If you require a second screen, for example, you may want to avoid shared common areas.

Savings

Nothing breaks the travel budget like food! Only the most low-budget destinations make eating out every day affordable. Preparing your own meals is the way to go if you don’t want to max out your credit card. The beauty of youth hostels is they offer complete kitchens that inspire your inner chef. And when you’re in a social mood, you can even cook as a group and feel right at home! Plus, some hostels offer complimentary breakfast, so that’s one meal out of the way. The result: more money in your pockets and a dose of satisfying kitchen time. What more could you ask for?

Social

One of the big advantages of youth hosteling is the opportunity to meet people and enlarge your circle of friends. Unlike most tourist lodging, hostels immerse digital nomads in vibrant social life. Say goodbye to solitude and boredom! Living and working among people from all over the world can inspire creativity and productivity, and you can take your breaks in pleasant company and chill like you would at home. Hostels are designed to inspire making new connections, so check out the social activities your hostel offers.

Meaningful values

A hostel is like a big family. Everyone is welcomed with open arms, and inclusion is the name of the game! Each person’s uniqueness is honoured in an environment that values respect and sharing. And when it comes to environmental values, hostels talk the talk and walk the walk. Real, concrete actions are carried out each day. At Saintlo Montreal, for example, buying in bulk comes first. Not only do we reuse, raise awareness with travellers, and aim for zero waste, we work hand in hand with social economy organizations, and we strive to give back. Buying local? Always. You can enjoy Montreal bagels and quality coffee from the corner café in the morning and microbrewery beers in the evening. When you stay at a youth hostel, you’re taking part in a community initiative.

The optimal location

When you’re looking for pied-à-terre to work from, it’s all about location. You don’t have the time to run to and fro during the workday. Thankfully, due to their very nature, most hostels are strategically located. Saintlo Montreal, for example, is in walking distance of Mount Royal, downtown and the Old Port. And the same goes for our regional locations: La Secousse in La Malbaie not only offers a view of the river, it’s also right in the centre of town. This makes most hostels convenient for both work and exploration without complication!

Distractions

So doesn’t this all sound wonderful? Well, maybe not! Working surrounded by social people is not necessarily for everybody. It takes an iron will not to give into the call of the outdoors and the temptation of social life. Every new friend or activity is an opportunity to procrastinate. Also, by working in shared spaces, you can bet that when you’ve found your flow, either a fellow hosteller will ask for a bit of attention, or the animated conversations around you will challenge your concentration. Even more so if you do a lot of online meetings! You’ll have to set some clear boundaries. And frankly, sensitive types may find it all too intense! Hostels are all about hustle and bustle, chatter and distractions.

The perfect compromise for digital nomads

If you’d like to both enjoy the social experience of youth hostels and maintain some personal space, consider a private room! More and more youth hostels offer this option. As a digital nomad who get things done, you’ll appreciate the choice between immersion in social life and withdrawing to private tranquility. Bring along your laptop, we’ve got a room for you! City (Montreal, Ottawa) or country (Gaspésie, Bas-Saint-Laurent and Charlevoix), you’ll find the ideal digital nomad basecamp and experience a magnificent corner of the country!