8 Essential Items that Long Term Travelers Should Look for When They Rent an Apartment

by Srinivas Rao
on July 18th, 2011
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If you are a longer traveler or minimalist digital nomad, there’s a good chance you’re traveling on a budget and trying to keep things as simple as possible. It’s no secret that renting an apartment and staying at a destination longer is a more cost effective way to do things. But, before you throw down your hard earned cash for your pad in paradise, there a few essential items that you should make sure the apartment has. I’m speaking based on the experience of living in an apartment that was lacking most of these things.

Coffee Maker

As ridiculous and simple as this might sound, a coffee maker is definitely something that you’ll want to have in your apartment if you’re a coffee drinker. Due to lack of a coffee maker I was forced to go to a local cafe every single day just so I could have my morning cup of coffee. While a couple bucks day doesn’t seem like much, it definitely adds up over time, especially when you are on the road living the life of a budget traveler.

Toaster

When a friend informed he was coming from the US to visit me, I asked him if he wouldn’t mind bringing me a toaster. Oddly enough they’re quite expensive here in Costa Rica. To top it off was I buying my breakfast at the cafe I got my coffee at every single day. Combined with toast, eggs and bacon my tab for breakfast was coming to over $6.00 a day. Thanks to the toaster I’m now back to making the exact same breakfast at home at a fraction of the cost.

Microwave

I think having a microwave is one of those things we take for granted in the USA. It’s one of those things that you don’t really miss until its gone. Then you realize just who inconvenient is not to have a microwave. All of a sudden cheap snacks like popcorn fail to be an option. If you’re anything like me and you like your chocolate desserts hot and combined with ice cream, a microwave is essential.

Stove/Oven

One of the biggest challenges I had with my old apartment was the fact that I had only two burners and somehow they were awkwardly positioned in a way that made it really difficult to cook. To top it off they were old and didn’t make it easy to cook. While you could get away with this, I’d recommend you get an apartment that has a stove and oven. You’re then no longer limited in terms the kind and the amount of cooking that you can do.

Air Conditioner

Depending on where you are in the world, an air conditioner is essential. IN Costa Rica it can get very hot and humid and an apartment without an air conditioner can be extremely unpleasant. Even if the entire apartment doesn’t have an air conditioner you should make sure the bedroom does. If the bedroom doesn’t you’re looking at some long sleepless unpleasant nights.

Refrigerator

If you have any plans to cook, you’ll definitely want to make sure your apartment has a decent size refrigerator. I’ve often seen places with refrigerators so small that they can barely a fit a few days worth of groceries. You might be able to get away with a mini fridge, but I’d really recommend your apartment has at least a midsize fridge.

Desk/Dining Table

If you plan to do any work at all from the aparthment you are are renting you’ll want to have at least a dinging table or desk. That way you have some working space as opposed to lying in your bed or sitting in the couch which actually make it much more difficult to be productive.

WIFI

If you’re a digital nomad or do any kind of work online, you want to make sure your apartment has reliable WiFI. I’d even recommend testing out the connection before you agree to rent the apartment. Even if you are not a digital nomad, reliable internet access is essential if you intend to stay connected to the world.

Srinivas Rao

Srinivas is an avid surfer and personal development blogger at The Skool of Life. He's also the host and co-founder of BlogcastFM, a podcast for bloggers.