Corner Office Anywhere

After booking enough short-term rentals, you stop browsing Airbnb and start running a process. When you’re staying a month or longer, the difference between a good listing and the right listing compounds quickly to affect productivity, sleep quality, mood, and ultimately how much you enjoy your entire digital nomad experience. This is the playbook I use every time I search for an Airbnb as a digital nomad. It is opinionated, practical, and optimized for long stays of two weeks or longer, rather than short getaways.

Start With the Right Search Parameters

Before looking at photos or prices, I lock in a few non-negotiables using Airbnb’s filters:

• Entire home
• Reliable Wi-Fi
• Kitchen
• Washer

One important note: I do not rely on Airbnb’s “1+ bedroom” filter. It is inconsistent and often misclassifies studios or awkward layouts. Instead, I manually verify the floor plan and key amenities through photos and descriptions.

If availability is strong, I’ll further narrow the search with quality-of-life upgrades:

• Dishwasher
• Clothes dryer
• Balcony or outdoor space
• Elevator access
• Air conditioning if daytime temperatures are regularly above 80°F
• Heating if temperatures regularly drop below 60°F

These are not strictly required, and their availability or extra cost will vary greatly depending on the geographic area in which I’m searching. However, they make a noticeable difference over longer stays.

Finally, for month-long or longer stays, I always message the host to confirm the availability two full sets of keys including any entry fob. This is a small detail that can become a daily frustration if overlooked. Many hosts will assume that multiple guests staying together will be together most of the time or always be available to coordinate. This initial communication is also a good test of future interactions.

Location, Location, Location

A great apartment in the wrong location will still feel inconvenient after week one. I prioritize places that are walkable to daily essentials:

• Restaurants
• Grocery stores
• A gym
• At least one café

I also avoid first-floor units whenever possible, mainly for noise, privacy, and security reasons. If the building is a walk-up, I cap it at three flights of stairs. Anything beyond that becomes annoying faster than expected, especially with groceries or luggage.

Read Reviews Like a Detective

I scan reviews specifically for recurring mentions of:

• Wi-Fi reliability
• Noise (street noise, neighbors, bars)
• Cleanliness
• Smells or humidity

Patterns matter more than individual complaints. One bad review can be a fluke; repeated complaints are a warning you shouldn’t ignore.

Optimize for Sleep and Sanity

For long stays, the bedroom setup is critical given that I am usually staying with a partner:

• A fully enclosed separate bedroom with a door that closes
• Space to access the bed from both sides
• Adequate storage for clothing

If traveling as a couple or working different schedules, I strongly prefer two bedrooms, as it is more comfortable to be able to use the spare as a makeshift office.

Bathroom Comfort and Cleanliness Are Non-Negotiable

Bathrooms also deserve close scrutiny. I only book places with clear, detailed photos of the bathroom. A listing that does not include a complete view of each bathroom is a big red flag, as this expensive area for renovation is often revealing of the overall condition of the apartment. What I look for:

• Obvious cleanliness and decent maintenance
• A shower size and entrance that will be comfortable for my tall partner
• A fixed shower head (no handheld-only setups)

When available, a separate toilet room is a bonus, especially when I’m travelling as a couple.

Living and Dining Spaces Designed for Real Life

I avoid places that look great in photos but aren’t functional day-to-day. Minimum requirements:

• A regular-height table and chairs (no bar-only setups) since this will double as an office space
• A couch large enough for two people to lounge
• Good natural light in the living area

Design matters as well. I’m not looking for luxury, but a thoughtfully designed space and good photos tends to correlate with better maintenance and more attentive hosts.

A Kitchen Built for Actual Cooking

If I’m staying more than a week, the kitchen needs to support real meals, not just coffee and takeout. A well-equipped kitchen saves money, improves my health, and makes a place feel like home instead of a hotel.

Baseline requirements:

• Full-size refrigerator
• Microwave
• Stove

Strong preferences:

• Oven
• Dishwasher

Final Thoughts

This checklist comes from years of experience booking longer stays on Airbnb and other platforms. Every item on it exists because ignoring it once caused friction later. When you’re working remotely, your rental is not just a place to sleep—it’s your office, gym, restaurant, and refuge.

Running a disciplined search upfront consistently leads to better stays, fewer surprises, and a much more enjoyable digital nomad life.

If you travel slowly and stay longer than most, I highly recommend developing a booking playbook of your own!