You didn’t expect it to feel like this. You’ve got the remote job, the flexibility, the freedom to work from anywhere. But after a few weeks or months of working alone, you’re struggling to find a remote work community. There’s too much silence. No one is casually checking in. Like-minded people to bounce ideas off are nowhere to be seen.
You’re not the only one feeling this way.
According to Buffer’s 2023 State of Remote Work report, 23% of remote workers say loneliness is their biggest challenge. Right behind that? Difficulty with collaboration and communication. The same study found that those who reported having a sense of community were more likely to feel satisfied with their work and less likely to experience burnout.
Remote work gives you freedom, but it also asks you to build the parts of office life that used to just happen. If you’re searching for a remote work community, it’s probably because you’re missing something deeper than an online Reddit forum to keep you from going mental. You’re looking for real connection. You want a digital nomad community filled with people who get what it’s like to work across time zones, live out of a backpack, or shift from one coworking space to the next.
The good news is that remote work communities are out there. And you can find one that fits the way you work, where you want to work, and what you want to do after the day is done. Here are 8 tips to help you do that.
1. Start with a digital nomad community
If you’re looking for people to travel and co-work with, the best place to start is with digital nomad groups that are designed for it. These are structured around shared housing, workspaces, and experiences for remote professionals.
The most established options are:
- WiFi Tribe: Month-to-month Chapters with remote workers living and coworking together around the world. There’s a strong emphasis on community, shared experiences, and professional support.
- Hacker Paradise: Similar format, but often attracts tech-focused freelancers, designers, and developers.
- Noma Collective: Shorter pop-up-style coworking trips with curated experiences and group housing.
With these programs, you’re paying for vetted accommodation, solid WiFi, curated groups, and instant community. They’re ideal if you want to hit the ground running without spending weeks figuring it out on your own.
If you’re not ready for a full-time commitment, many people use these communities to build their network, then travel independently with new friends they meet along the way.
On an average day, you might frequent coffee shops, keep each other accountable for morning workouts, or meet up for evening swims after work. With WiFi Tribe, for example, members take weekend trips together, deepening the experience without the confining walls of a traditional office.
2. Get active on social media forums
Most remote workers aren’t finding their people in job boards, they’re finding them in chats, comments, and DMs.
If you want to connect with others who work and travel, you need to be where those conversations are already happening. That usually means getting active on platforms like Reddit, Facebook, Discord, and sometimes WhatsApp. Each one works a little differently, and some will suit your style more than others.
Best if you’re just starting or doing research. Subreddits like r/digitalnomad are full of practical threads about coliving setups, visa questions, gear, and travel tips. It’s anonymous, direct, and surprisingly detailed. Not built for connection, but great for learning what’s out there.
Facebook groups are where a lot of the real connections start. There are general nomad groups and also location-specific ones. People post events, meetups, coliving offers, and sometimes even Airbnb shares. You can DM directly, join group chats, or ask questions. If you want to find people in a specific city or plan for your next destination, this is one of the easiest ways.
Discord
Discord servers work best if you’re looking for a tighter-knit group or want to be more social day-to-day. Some digital nomad servers host coworking hours, share job opportunities, and have city channels for meetups. Expect casual banter mixed with resource sharing. If you like the idea of having a low-key community open in the background while you work, this could be a good fit.
Instant Messaging platforms
Groups from IM platforms like Telegram or WhatsApp often form out of meetups or coliving stays, but some are open to join via Facebook or Instagram links. They’re best for staying connected with dinner plans, day trips, or local tips from people who are there.
3. Find a remote work community at coworking spots
If you’re trying to meet remote workers, go where they work.
Coworking spaces aren’t just for fast Wi-Fi and free coffee. They’re one of the easiest ways to find people working in remote communities. You’ll bump into web developers, writers, UX designers, startup founders, and people on Zoom calls who look just as lost as you felt on your first day.
The big chains are fine. Places like Selina, WeWork, and Outsite have global networks and are pretty reliable. You’ll often find digital nomads posted up at Hubud in Bali, Dojo in Canggu, Betahaus in Barcelona, or The Hive in Thailand. These spots tend to be polished, with community managers, sign-up boards, and maybe a happy hour or skillshare event. They’re solid, especially if you’re in a new city and want something plug-and-play.
But don’t ignore the local coworking spots.
The smaller, independent spaces usually reflect the personality of the place you’re in. In Oaxaca, you might find a terrace with mezcal tastings. Cape Town has that awesome surf-and-work combo. While in Medellín, they might host language exchanges or weekend hikes. These places tend to attract people who live in the area longer, or return often, so you’re more likely to build real friendships, not just polite small talk between Slack messages.
Ask around, try a few, and see which vibe matches yours. The right coworking space will feel more like a clubhouse than an office. That’s a good sign you’re in the right place.
Each of these tools helps you do the same thing in different ways: find like-minded people, start conversations, and maybe travel together. There’s no need to do all of them. All you need to do is pick the one that matches how you like to interact and how deep you’re ready to go.
5. Build your remote work community in a colive
Coworking gets you through the workday, but coliving handles everything in between. When you stay in a coliving space, you’re sharing a home with people who’ve also chosen this lifestyle. You cook together, explore together, and share unique experiences. It’s a fast track to making friends without the awkward small talk.
Some coliving setups are casual, like a shared Airbnb arranged with nomads you met on Discord. Others are more structured, with dedicated spaces designed specifically for remote workers. These spots usually come with strong internet, work-friendly setups, and weekly events to help people connect.
Coliving is especially good if:
- You’re landing in a new city and want to skip the search for community
- You’re feeling socially burnt out and want a lower-effort way to meet people
- You’re solo traveling and craving shared experience
Examples worth checking out:
- Coliving: A remote worker favorite with properties all over Europe and the US.
- Coliving Hub: Offers safe havens to digital nomads in cities and rural areas
- Outsite: A global network with a mix of short and long-term stays
- WiFi Tribe: Not just coliving, but a month-long Chapter in a different city, with digital nomad groups that travels together
If coworking helps you find your people during the day, coliving creates bonds after the work is done.
6. Go to meetups and expat events
Even if you’re just passing through, most cities that attract remote workers also have a scene. Look up local meetups, coworking events, expat groups, or digital nomad happy hours. While these can feel a little forced at times, everyone is in the same boat, so friendships do blossom. In a way, this method blends a little old-school networking with a ‘working in remote communities’ twist. Here are a few places to get your search started:
You don’t need to commit to a long program or community to find a connection. Sometimes, one night out is enough to meet someone who invites you into their group Airbnb or coworking spot.
7. Use remote work community matching apps
If you’re not ready to join a long-term program or move into a coliving space, but you still want to connect with other remote workers, there’s a growing ecosystem of apps that can help you do just that. Here are three worth checking out:
Pangea
The Pangea app lets you see where other digital nomads are planning to go, where they are now, and what they recommend in each destination. You can create a personal travel map, link up with others headed to the same place, and stay connected with people you’ve met on the road.
Nomadago
Want help finding nearby digital nomads in real time? With Nomadago, you can post where you are, see who’s around you, and even start a local WhatsApp group to coordinate meetups or coworking sessions.
JoinMyTrip
This platform is a bit more structured. JoinMyTrip lets you join a trip someone else has planned, like a coworking week in a mountain villa, or post your idea and find others to join you. It’s less about long-term programs and more about creating mini-communities on the fly.
Find your remote work community and live your digital nomad dream
It’s hard to quantify the importance of community. It’s a very important aspect of everyday life, all the way through grade school into university. But after graduation, the community that many people took for granted mostly disappears. And many of us are not prepared for the sudden shift in our social life.
Work is not school. It rarely provides the same type of environment that satisfies our need for belonging on a deeper level. That’s why community matters more than anything when you’re on the road!
Looking to connect with others while working from home during these difficult times? WiFi Tribe is the best digital nomad community alive. You can find out for yourself by checking out our Online Chapters! If you’re interested in joining or simply want more info on this or our future Chapters, you can apply to become a part of the Tribe, and we’ll contact you ASAP!
Frequently asked questions
What is a remote work community?
A remote work community is a group of people who live or gather together while working remotely, often sharing coworking spaces, coliving setups, or online forums.
What apps help connect remote workers?
Apps like Pangea, Nomadago, and JoinMyTrip are designed to help remote workers find each other, share travel plans, and join coworking or coliving experiences.
Are coworking spaces good for meeting remote workers?
Yes, coworking spaces are one of the best places to meet remote workers. Many host events, offer networking opportunities, and foster daily interaction.
How can I find a digital nomad community?
You can find a digital nomad community through platforms like WiFi Tribe, Facebook groups, Reddit, coworking spaces, or apps like Nomadago and JoinMyTrip.
