[gadadhar]

We did 3 stints in Kerala (our hometown) in last 1 year. First trip was in June 2020 where we stayed for more than 3 months. That trip helped us to setup and stabilize the needed infra for work from home for both of us in my place (Kalady) and wife’s place (Munnar). We used to shift between both the places every alternate weekends. It was not easy when we started, there was 21 day quarantine, mandatory RTPCR test, no domestic help, limited connectivity etc to deal with. Things got ironed out and we enjoyed the opportunity to be with parents and relatives in hometown for a longer period for the first time in 20+ years. There was some price we paid, my son missed CET due to interstate travel restrictions, had to bid goodbye to plants and aquarium fishes at Bangalore, getting back the Bangalore house in shape after being away, full payment to the maids though no work (would suggest all to do this) etc. My son’s education related needs forced us to move back to Bangalore in Sep.

We did another trip in Dec, but that was only for one month constrained by my son’s classes. Third stint was even better with the process streamlined and a better infra in place.

Now we are always ready for the next trip, with a working repeatable process in place, it is a matter of packing the bags.

[am1m]

Been a year and 2 months working away from the office, a year away from Bangalore, and almost 8 months working away from my home state Karnataka. Planning to head back home for a couple of weeks once Karnataka starts allowing unrestricted movement across the border. I'm not sure how much longer we'll get to do this, expecting offices to ask us to return next year. Hopefully can spend the rest of this year at least working from yet another state. Personally, it's worked out great for me. I'd love to do this for the rest of my career!

Realized another important thing, I find it pointless to try and re-create my home/home conditions in another place. Might as well stay home then. The best part has been finding out how we can really manage without so much of what we considered 'indispensable/must-have/must-do' back home. And how so many more new people and experiences more than made up for that. (Again, personal view, I realize that won't work for a lot of people.)

[am1m]

Back on the road again after staying in Bangalore for a month. Since offices aren't going to be opening this year for us, decided to squeeze out some more time working from the coast.

Was keeping a rough track and funnily enough realized we spend a lot more at home in Bangalore than we do elsewhere. If my numbers are correct, barring rent (since we have our own place at Bangalore), it works out cheaper to stay elsewhere!

Must admit though was good to be back home in the city for a couple of weeks, mainly because of being able to catch up with friends (and that's where all the added expense went!) Started jarring after that though, forgot how noisy and crowded the neighborhood was.

Even managed to switch jobs, landed a job that is outside an SEZ finally, so the new company has no compelling economic (tax-saving) reason to force everyone to return to office. Hoping we can make this move a permanent one! If that works out, will attempt to be more adventurous and try to explore working from different places in the North as well next year. But for now, looking forward to another 4 months along the coast.

Another friend made the move from Bangalore to Manali a couple of months ago. He went expecting to return in a week if connectivity didn't work out since he has a lot of meetings. He's been there till now, working comfortably on weekdays and trekking/climbing on weekends.

[procrj]

Originally Posted by am1m

decided to squeeze out some more time working from the coast.

Can you share details of location/properties from where you have been workcationing? Did try this out for a few weeks this year from a friends' place in Chikkamagaluru and it worked out well for us as a family. Would definitely want to stay on the coast post monsoon season.

[am1m]

Originally Posted by procrj

Can you share details of location/properties from where you have been workcationing?

We're not staying at any fancy places, we're just looking at apartments and cheap rentals. The ones we've stayed at aren't even listed online. What we usually do is land up at a place we want to stay, stay at a hotel for a couple of days, walk around and ask the locals. That way we can actually see the place and test the internet speeds too. My suggestion would be to do something like that, there are so many options available and you will find something that suits you best.

I can PM you the place details if you want, but from past experience, the kind of places we're usually ok with aren't suitable for most people we know, especially families with kids and other specific requirements. I'm not very fussy, for me being as close to the beach trumps everything else. (And internet speed since I have to work too!)