The pandemic redefined many points of our lives: a few of us labored from residence for the primary time and stayed distant, giving many others an opportunity to relocate as simply and as typically as wished. Though dwelling as a digital nomad (somebody who works remotely whereas touring the world) shouldn’t be a very new idea, it did acquire rather more traction in the course of the COVID-19 pandemic.
In a report by unbiased expertise supplier MBO Companions, the share of Individuals who described themselves as digital nomads elevated to 131 % between 2019 and 2022. San Antonio felt the development with about thrice as many distant staff holding robust “after” the pandemic as earlier than it, in keeping with a report by Axios.
Embracing this new life-style is what gave method to Touchdown, a versatile dwelling community that gives digital nomads — or these seeking to relocate — a better, extra reasonably priced, and hassle-free choice to discover new cities whereas nonetheless having fun with the identical perks of a standard long-term lease.
Touchdown makes use of a subscription-based mannequin to lease fully-furnished properties with choices in over 375 cities. Meaning customers haven’t got to fret about deposits, signing contracts, or hauling furnishings from one place to the opposite.
“It’s a unique, extra versatile method to lease and reside that unlocks experiences that you just would not in any other case have with conventional renting and staying in a single place,” says Touchdown spokesperson Emily McMahon. “Their mannequin has seen a lot development and demand over the previous few years as individuals proceed to embrace this work from anyplace world that we’re in.”
Austin has grow to be a hotspot at Touchdown, claiming the highest place within the nation by way of whole reservation. Simply this yr, Touchdown has seen a 25% improve in new Austin reservations from Q3 to This autumn. In the identical hypothetical interval in January, Touchdown lists 128 flats in Austin, 85 in Houston, 79 in Dallas, 55 in San Antonio, and 36 in Fort Value — to not point out all of the suburbs round them. Customers may search by state, revealing that Texas has the second most out there locales (26 in comparison with California’s 38, and Florida’s 22).
Leona Marlene is amongst these preserving Austin on the prime of the listing. She got here throughout the rental community final yr whereas researching reasonably priced alternate options to short-term leases. Though at first she thought it sounded too good to be true, she determined to offer it a try to has been a member ever since. Marlene coming again to the town in a number of weeks to remain at a Touchdown property.
“It’s been actually difficult to search out reasonably priced locations to be within the U.S.,” says Marlene. “For me, [Landing] offers me entry to those cities I would not in any other case have entry to. I feel those that I frequent most are Chicago and Austin, simply because we now have household in these places, and we do not essentially need to reside in both of these full time. It’s very nice to have the flexibleness to be within the cities after we select to be and take a look at completely different cities that we take pleasure in.”
The applying course of is straightforward and simple, with a response as quick as quarter-hour. The usual subscription requires a minimal 30 days, however earlier this yr the corporate launched an much more versatile and reasonably priced choice known as Standby.
Standby is its personal month-to-month subscription that offers member entry to Touchdown’s properties for a month-to-month lease value ($1,295-1,995 relying on the town) with a shocking twist: They may very well be “bumped” at any time, which means a regular price member may lease that house and the Standby member must transfer — to a different property in the identical metropolis or elsewhere — inside a brief body. Generally the discover will be as quick as 3 days.
Though thrilling for some, it could sound anxious and scary to others. Therein lies the attraction of Touchdown and Standby. It’s not meant to be for everybody, however it may very well be an awesome alternative for many who crave journey and the thrills of a brand new metropolis each few months or so. It may be a method to take a look at the waters of a brand new potential residence earlier than absolutely committing to it.
On-line critiques fluctuate — a standard phenomenon for rental platforms — from gushing to giving up. If a lesson will be discovered from combing by means of critiques, new renters ought to think about how versatile they’re prepared to be earlier than committing. A typical grievance was that individual flats that gave the impression to be out there couldn’t be nailed down, forcing customers to compromise from their authentic imaginative and prescient. Constructive critiques state that Touchdown is accommodating, however requires flexibility and a spotlight.
As for Marlene, who’s on observe to reside in 10 cities in 12 months; She retains coming again for not solely the worth, however the sense of normalcy that Touchdown gives from one metropolis to the opposite.
“At Touchdown, you actually know what you are getting,” she says. “I am fairly positive the mattress is similar in each house. It seems like residence. I’ve the identical plates, I’ve the identical silverware. I actually love making smoothies within the morning. I do know I’ll have a blender. Whereas, with another platform, you sort of do not actually know what you are getting.”
Browse Denver, Seattle, Chicago, and different flats at hellolanding.com.
