For the past few years, Tenerife and the wider Canary Islands have become increasingly visible on the global map for remote workers, founders, creatives, and independent professionals looking for a better quality of life.
People come here for many reasons:
- the climate,
- the slower pace of life,
- lower living costs compared to many European cities,
- natural beauty,
- and the growing international community forming across the islands.
But alongside that growth, there’s also an important question:
How do we build international communities that genuinely support the places they exist in?
For Nomadhut, I’ve been thinking about this a lot.
I live on a boat and have to move every two weeks (as I can’t afford a mooring), which makes commuting to my job in London complicated.
Like many people in creative and entrepreneurial communities, traditional housing has often felt increasingly out of my reach.
When I found this building in Tenerife, which had been sitting empty and derelict for around 15 years, it wasn’t just an opportunity to create a coliving space. It was also my own way of creating a sustainable home and community for me and others in a similar position.
From the beginning, I wanted Nomadhut to become part of the Canary Islands’ creative and entrepreneurial ecosystem, a place where local residents, international founders, artists, makers, researchers, and independent creatives could meet, collaborate, and build meaningful things together.
That’s why I’m introducing the Island Builder Rate as part of Nomadhut’s wider artist residency and community programme.
I’ve also seen growing concerns from local residents about the impact tourism and remote work can have on housing affordability and local communities.
Because I’ve struggled with housing affordability myself (and still do), I understand those concerns firsthand. I want Nomadhut to be part of the solution rather than part of the problem.
What Is the Island Builder Rate?
The Island Builder Rate is a reduced residency rate for people actively building projects in Tenerife and across the Canary Islands.
This includes:
- startup founders,
- artists,
- designers,
- filmmakers,
- musicians,
- makers,
- open-source developers,
- researchers,
- sustainability initiatives,
- local businesses,
- event organizers,
- community projects,
- and independent creatives.
The programme is application-based and designed around contribution, collaboration, and long-term impact, not income level.
I’m less interested in traditional definitions of success and more interested in people who are genuinely trying to create something valuable.
That could mean:
- launching a startup,
- organizing local events,
- building open-source tools,
- developing a creative practice,
- experimenting with sustainable living,
- documenting island culture,
- or creating opportunities for others.
If you’re actively contributing to the energy and future of the Canary Islands, I want to help support that.
Why I’m Doing This
Many coliving spaces around the world unintentionally become isolated bubbles.
People arrive for a few weeks or months, spend time mostly with other visitors, and then move on. Local integration becomes limited, and communities can end up feeling temporary and disconnected from the places around them.
I want Nomadhut to be different.
I believe the most interesting communities happen when:
- local knowledge meets international perspectives,
- artists collaborate with founders,
- engineers meet filmmakers,
- researchers meet designers,
- and people from different backgrounds share ideas, skills, and experiences.
The Canary Islands already have an incredible creative and entrepreneurial community.
Across Tenerife, Gran Canaria, Lanzarote, La Palma, Fuerteventura, and beyond, there are people:
- building ambitious startups,
- organizing cultural events,
- creating independent art,
- experimenting with sustainability,
- restoring old buildings,
- launching community projects,
- and helping shape the future of the islands in meaningful ways.
The Island Builder Rate is designed to help more of those people stay connected to spaces like Nomadhut.
Contribution Over Status
One of the core ideas behind the Island Builder Rate is that contribution matters more than titles, credentials, or income.
You do not need:
- venture capital funding,
- a large company,
- a massive audience,
- or a polished personal brand.
Some of the most valuable community members are often:
- people quietly building meaningful projects,
- people connecting others,
- people sharing knowledge,
- people organizing gatherings,
- and people creating momentum around them.
I care much more about:
- curiosity,
- generosity,
- ambition,
- creativity,
- and a willingness to participate in community life.
Why the Canary Islands Matter
The Canary Islands are in a unique position.
The region offers:
- strong international connectivity,
- year-round mild weather,
- relatively affordable living compared to many major European cities,
- growing startup and remote work communities,
- universities and research institutions,
- strong artistic culture,
- and access to both nature and urban life.
At the same time, the islands face real challenges:
- rising housing pressure,
- economic dependence on tourism,
- limited opportunities for some local young professionals,
- and the risk of international communities becoming disconnected from local realities.
I believe spaces like Nomadhut should actively contribute to the long-term resilience and creativity of the places they operate in.
That means thinking beyond occupancy rates and short-term stays.
It means asking:
- How do we create lasting value locally?
- How do we help ambitious people stay on the islands longer?
- How do we encourage collaboration instead of isolation?
- How do we build communities that feel rooted rather than temporary?
The Island Builder Rate is one small part of that approach.
What I Hope to Build
Over time, I want Nomadhut to become more than accommodation.
I want it to become a platform for:
- collaboration,
- experimentation,
- creative work,
- entrepreneurship,
- and community building.
That could include:
- founder breakfasts,
- open studio nights,
- public workshops,
- maker sessions,
- skill-sharing events,
- demo nights,
- artist talks,
- collaborative dinners,
- community project boards,
- and partnerships with local organizations and initiatives across the Canary Islands.
My goal is not to create a luxury lifestyle brand.
My goal is to create spaces where interesting people can afford to spend time building meaningful things together.
Who Should Apply?
You may be a good fit for the Island Builder Rate if you are:
- actively working on a project connected to Tenerife or the Canary Islands,
- planning to stay for more than a short visit,
- interested in collaboration and community,
- and excited to contribute to the energy of the space.
You don’t need to fit into a single category.
Some people are founders.
Some are artists.
Some are researchers.
Some are still figuring things out.
What matters most is that you’re building something with intention.
Looking Forward
Nomadhut is still early.
But from the beginning, I’ve wanted to build something that feels optimistic, collaborative, and genuinely useful, both for the people staying in the space and for the wider communities around it.
The Island Builder Rate is part of that vision.
If you’re building something meaningful in Tenerife or elsewhere in the Canary Islands and want to be part of a creative, entrepreneurial community, I’d love to hear from you.
