Winter Travel Mojo: Where To Find Motivation, Inspiration & Coliving Community This Season
Skip the all-inclusive this winter. Discover cozy coliving retreats built for remote work, creativity, and connection — from French castles to island studios.
While most folks are busy dreaming of all-inclusive resorts and fighting for lounge chairs, those of us with a little more freedom — remote workers, freelancers, or anyone designing their days differently — know winter has way more to offer.
Coliving spaces around the world are transforming the way we spend the colder months. Think less tourist trap, more intentional living: castles in the French countryside, island retreats made for deep focus, and curated communities that bring together curious, creative people from all walks of life.
And if you’ve ever thought, “I just need a change of scenery… but one where I can still get stuff done,” these places might be precisely what you’ve been craving.
This winter, skip the crowds and cliché vacations. Here are a few spots I’ve personally vetted. They just might be the coziest, most productive places to spend a month (or more) off the beaten path.
Chateau Coliving in Normandy, France
I can recommend this one with absolute confidence — I’m here right now, as a participant in their Writers Haven program. The November edition sold out, so the Chateau is offering the writing edition of their coliving program again in February, 2026 (I may even be back for it… we shall see!).
For the non-writers among us: January is Digital Minimalism month, March brings a full month of French Immersion, and April is open to all who just want to experience this exceptionally community-focused coliving in the beautiful Normandy region.
Check out their program calendar here.
Outsite Coliving Homes or Trips
I’ve had mixed experiences with Outsite, and have spoken with a lot of nomads who say the same. And I think I’ve figured out why, so I like to share this important caveat for anyone considering a stay at one of their properties.
Yes, Outsite is a coliving/working brand. They have dozens of properties worldwide — mostly in Europe and the Americas — but they are definitely not all created equal, nor are they even a consistent experience.
That’s because some are for Outsite members only, while others are partner sites that may also be operating as hotels, Airbnbs, or even hostels.
(And that’s how I ended up lasting only one night of a planned one-month stay in a Mexico City Outsite, after being woken up at midnight to the delightful cacophony of a 20-something dude bro loudly barfing outside my bedroom door as more dude bros cheered him on).
Look for this tag on the property listing:
That’s how you’ll know the property you’re looking at operates as a coliving space with a community manager, and not a frat house.
Tip: Sort and filter to ‘Members Only’ to see only those properties.
With that said (I hope I haven’t scared you off), there are a lot of beautiful colivings well-suited for Midlife Nomads in search of community and luxurious shared amenities. Check out their Colonia San Miguel (Mexico City), Praia do Sul (Portugal), and San Juan del Sur (Nicaragua) properties for that true coliving experience.
Outsite has expanded its service offerings in the last while to include two other elements I find intriguing:
Trips - Curated, location-based experiences with a group. Good for making deeper connections as you start and end together, traveling the same length of time.
Member Sublets - Available to members only, inside the community hub. Browse opportunities to sublet another member’s home as they travel the world themselves.
Outsite membership is currently $149/yr or $399 for the lifetime membership (USD). Learn more about it here.
Artscape at Gibraltar Point
Winter in the Toronto Islands? This is not what I had in mind, Miranda.
Stay with me here… it’s awesome, I promise. What better place and time in there to hunker down and do your best work? You don’t have to be an artist or writer to enjoy this space, either. It’s for anyone in need of quiet, focused time to bring an idea to life while still having access to a community of like minds.
I spent a few weeks at Artscape doing a self-directed residency last year, and would love to go back for a month or more. Read more about my experience here:
Now, you’re in Toronto but not really. Gibraltar Point is a ferry ride away from downtown, and you cannot just pop out for the night unless you have your own on-island transportation to the dock (that’s either a bicycle or a very long walk).
This place is designed for you to get comfortable and stay a while. Cut out the distractions, make a few new friends, and enjoy your time curled up reading, banging out a new product, working on your blog, etc. Learn more about their studio options here.
Find the Right Coliving for You
This is just a small taste… there are thousands of coliving spaces out there — both corporate/chains and independent/privately owned — and options to fit most budgets. A lot of independent places are even willing to exchange some volunteer services for a discount on the rent; it never hurts to reach out and ask.
Check Google for colivings in the regions you’re interested in visiting. I like to check out Coliving.com and Nomads.com (formerly Nomad List) for location inspiration (warning… that’s a rabbit hole that could eat up your afternoon so proceed with caution!).
Have questions or want to discuss your options? Comment here, or pop over to the Midlife Nomads - Work From Anywhere group on FB and let’s get planning!
Until next time, may your Schengen days remain plentiful and your trains always arrive on time,
✌🏻 Miranda
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These places are beautiful, minimal, and the aesthetics are pristine.