If your apartment lease is about to expire and you feel that familiar ache in your bones that makes you want to move somewhere new, don't lock yourself into a standard long-term contract just yet. Roam is an international network of public living spaces that offers a very attractive alternative. According to their website, simply “sign a lease and you can roam between amazing properties across multiple continents.” If you’ve ever dreamed of becoming a true digital nomad, there’s never been a better time than now.
I have an incurable wanderlust. I can not do anything. That’s why I moved to Hawaii on a whim from a small town in South Carolina to attend college. That's why I've moved about every two or three years as an adult. I'm a Southerner, West Coaster, and New Englander. I've snorkeled on the Great Barrier Reef, caught and cooked trout in Alaska, and gotten sunburnt on a remote island in the Caribbean. Did I mention this was BC (like my time before kids)? If I didn't have two little humans attached to my hips, you better believe I would be giving up my foreseeable future on land in favor of enjoying the enviable nomadic lifestyle that a lease with the Roam provides. The most exotic trip I've been on recently was when we finally found a Trader Joe's in Charleston.
So how does this work? First and foremost, Roam is designed for home , not just for a stylish getaway. Founder Bruno Haid told Co.Exist that he envisions a global community where people "regardless of location" can live together and create a culture of collaborative exploration. Each location will accommodate more people than a large house, but not so much that the communal feel is lost. Each room has its own private bathroom and is fully equipped with a queen or king bed. Other perks include housekeeping of linens and towels, a coworking space with rock-solid WiFi, a gourmet community kitchen and communal amenities.
While Hyde hopes Roam will eventually be in every major city, the destinations were initially chosen for their scenic beauty and proximity to major city centers to make remote working more convenient. So far, you can satisfy your travel cravings with stops in Ubud, Bali, Little Havana, Miami and, from May 31, Madrid Malasana. But after raising $3.4 million for global expansion, Roam just announced that they will also be adding San Telmo in Buenos Aires and London 2 to their roster.
Of course, you have to have a ton of money to play the digital nomad game, or at least enough cash flow to pay for flights and the $500 per week plus tax "rent." And of course, there’s the job flexibility of working from anywhere. Which begs the question: Where was this five years ago? The good news is, just because I can't sign on the dotted line for traveling the world, doesn't mean I'm completely missing the boat (or plane). Roam is suitable for people from all walks of life, not just young single freelancers. In which case, hey oh, count me in... while I'm sending my kids off to college.
Photo credit: Virojt Changyencham/Moment/Getty Images; Jiffy (2)
