Between many people being too busy to actually take a true vacation away from their work, and those who live on semi-permanent vacation as digital nomads, Outsite is the latest innovation combining two of the hottest trends in the sharing economy.
That’s right – the self-employed, remote worker and other Millennial entrepreneurs can now take a “workation” any time they want, in a live-work-play situation in nine cities that essentially blends the best of co-working with the convenience of Airbnb. Current locations of Outsite homes include the just-opened New York City and Hawaii houses, Venice Beach, San Diego, two houses in Santa Cruz, Lake Tahoe, Puerto Rico and Costa Rica.
All Outsite locations have dedicated house managers who help connect guests with any activities they want, including relationships with local outfitters, sports equipment stores and rentals, as well as with ski resorts, surf instructors, vehicles of any kind, cycling excursions and more. All locations come equipped with high-end outdoor gear for all guests to use at no extra charge, including bikes and surfboards. All locations also have street and off-street parking, and don’t be surprised to find multiple Sprinter vans parked in the driveway.
According to job and recruiting site Glassdoor, more than 40 percent of employees report taking less than 25 percent of their vacation time; and 61 percent admit working while on vacation. Outsite’s goal is to empower more digital nomads and other employees and entrepreneurs everywhere in their work-life balance. Outsite actually owns it’s spaces so they are able to create a comfortable, high-quality, branded and consistent experience worldwide.
Outsite founders say that of employees who have worked while on vacation, 33 percent report doing so because no one else at their company can do the work. Other reasons for working while on vacation include: fear of getting behind (28 percent), desire for a promotion (19 percent), fear of losing job (17 percent), and wanting to outperform colleagues (13 percent). Their suggestion, beyond the full time remote employee or contractor, is that companies actually add “workation” days to their existing vacation policy.
And while similar concepts do exist, Outsite is the latest to offer even greater flexibility in booking, variety of destinations, with an emphasis on community and playing outside. Similar work-live sites include remoteyear.com (you have to give up a year of your life and go on an adult field trip); Roam (fewer locations, and you stay in rentals); and WeWork/WeLive (probably the most well known in the coliving/coworking space, but it’s more like a hotel). You can also host company retreats and offsite meetings at Outsite houses, which all boast ideal locations and hashtag worthy views.
Personally as a freelance writer, photographer and contract content strategist, I don’t get a lot of vacation days — but I highly value an office with a slopeside or beachfront view. So while you could stay at an Airbnb or a hotel when you travel, and then try and work at coffee shops, or a public library, the Outsite houses make so much more sense, especially for folks like myself who prioritize lifestyle over the 9-to-5.
Follow Elevation Outdoors contributing editor Aaron Bible’s work-life adventures at @ahbmedia.
