KALART COLIVING & COWORKING BARCELONA | TERMS & CONDITIONS | PRIVACY POLICY
Before starting to talk about Coliving Spain, let me introduce myself. I’m Roger, co-founder of Kalart. Born and raised in Spain, I know my country and what it has to offer. But most importantly, I’ve dedicated many years to researching what makes a great rural coliving space and a great coliving community generally. I know every single coliving that operates in Spain, especially those in rural environments.
I believe that communal living can empower people, and as a co-founder of the first-ever rural coliving in Catalonia (Spain), I’m passionate about creating communities that not only enable personal connections but also empower residents to grow personally and professionally.
I’ve also lived in countless communal and international environments throughout my life. Including Auroville in India, I’ve lived in five different countries, plus I’ve volunteered for a dozen organizations and couchsurfed around the world – so I can say with absolute confidence what makes a great community, or a great coliving.
In this blog I will explain the concept of “coliving” and how it works, why Spain is a great place for coliving, the difference between rural and urban coliving, plus how rural coliving can enhance your life.
Finally, after carefully evaluating their most important features, I have compiled a list of the top five rural colivings in Spain right now. I’ll guide you to choosing the best for you. Everything you are going to read is based on my experience. It will be the best 15 minutes you can invest if you’re interested in coliving (in Spain, or generally) or how to improve your quality of life.
So, let’s dive in.
What does the word “coliving” mean?
Coliving is modern communal living, popular with digital nomads searching for an open and welcoming communities as they travel around the world. Individuals share living spaces to reduce living expenses and foster community spirit.
How is coliving different from shared housing?
While shared housing simply involves splitting living costs and spaces among residents, coliving spaces often include shared workspaces, and organized social and professional events, emphasizing community and networking among residents.
What is it like to live in a coliving?
Living in a coliving space is a completely unique experience. You’ll typically have a private bedroom but share common areas like kitchens, living rooms, and sometimes bathrooms.
Beyond the superficial, living in a coliving community will give you roots. You’ll feel part of something bigger, you’ll resonate with other people who are working to improve their lives. You can contribute to the group, and the group to you. We believe that rural coliving has the power to enrich people’s lives, but more on this later..!
How much does it cost?
The cost of coliving in Spain varies widely depending on location and amenities. Rural areas offer private rooms for an average of €850 per month, while the absolute lowest price for more basic accommodations (ie a shared bedroom/dorm room) can be €650. Urban coliving spaces are between €1,000-€1,200, with premium colivings like Sun & Co offering private suites to remote workers and people on “workation”, charging up to €1,400.
Not only is Spain one of the most visited countries in the European Union, it’s also ranked the #1 destination for digital nomads according to Nomadlist, and here’s six reasons why:
It’s all because, the “tribe” (the concept of a chosen family) is deep-rooted within the Spanish lifestyle. In Spain, taking care of each other, collaborating, exchanging and giving to others is very, very present in everyday life.
Urban coliving suits remote workers who have meetings or clients that tie them to the city centre, or, people who love the city and its elements: the cement, glass and the intensity of multiple stimuli. However, if you’re someone looking forpersonal and professional balance, rural coliving arguably has more to offer since a good balance is achieved between focus on work and an environment of disconnection (or reconnection) in nature. The key advantages of rural coliving over urban coliving:
If you take these factors into account, your life will easily improve after spending time in rural coliving. I’m not just saying it, you can ask anyone who has spent long enough in one of them, especially those that have been operating for more than 3 years.
Community at the core
In most rural colivings, the dynamic of the community more closely resembles a family than a group of strangers sharing a house together.
Typically, this atmosphere is a result of residents staying for medium to long-term periods (many rural colivings have a minimum stay of one month). Plus the slow tempo of rural life facilitates the effort required to create sincere, honest and binding ties that collectively form a strong and nourishing community. That’s the secret of rural coliving and how it is so impactful.
You might be traveling, and may leave after only a couple months, but you will feel eternally connected to the family you lived with for a summer at a rural coliving.
Improved health & happiness
Whilst living in a rural coliving, people tend to do more sport and exercise, read books in a hammock, have deeper and more meaningful conversations, and take the time to watch a sunset or sleep under the stars.
What’s more, rural colivings usually have their own vegetable garden, meaning access to organic agriculture and healthy food.
Improved productivity
We all know, good weather makes you happier, and therefore, more motivated and productive. And when you enjoy your rural environment (whether doing sports, exercise, walks, etc.) you disconnect more from work and charge your batteries faster. But you don’t have to believe everything I tell you. Check out all the scientific studies that prove exposure to nature boosts human productivity.
I don’t like to talk about ‘the best this’ or ‘the best that’ because it’s sensationalist, and in any case, quite subjective. But, let’s say that some rural colivings are more aligned with everything we have discussed in this blog.
Here are the criteria I took into account. Colivings only have to comply with four aspects, but they are key. Either yes or yes.
So, after careful consideration all the rural colivings in Spain, and here are our top 5 recommendations, in order:
Kalart Community (Barcelona Province, Catalonia)
Best for: cultural, creative and holistic interests. Situated in the UNESCO Montseny Valley, it’s a place to slow down the pace of life, reflect and work through a period of transition. Family-like environment with close ties to the local community.
Fem (Province of Girona, Catalonia)
Best for: disconnecting from the world and reconnecting with yourself withinin a family-like environment and the Pyrenees mountains.
Ruralco (Province of Castellón, Valencian Community)
Best for: a unique and isolated living experience amidst agriculture. Spend your time chilling out with other residents.
Anceu (Province of Vigo, Galicia)
Best for: getting involved with rural reactivation or revitalization and local community initiatives. You can even bring your dog!
Sende (Provinia de Vigo, Galicia)
Best for: experience a truly rural town and an entrepreneurial community, surrounded by nature. Owned by a very nice couple.
The truth is, oftentimes the best colivings (like those listed above) are less publicised. Purely because the owners are more dedicated to living rural life and hosting nomads than to sending press releases or blogging!
By the way, if you have other recommendations of rural colivings in Spain, write to us here.
After a long time of working in and studying the rural coliving industry, I’ve realised 2 fundamental considerations for choosing the right coliving that fits your needs.
Personal intention. I’m going to tell you something: most digital nomads (myself included) are either running away from something or looking for themselves. And guess what, in both cases rural coliving can help you with that. But you must be clear and honest about what you need, whether it’s taking refuge from the past and connecting with people who are more like-minded than in your place of origin, or giving yourself the space to reconnect with yourself. Use this insight to guide your search for a coliving.
The length of stay. Humans take time to settle and understand how things work. You can start flowing within 3-4 weeks, but I’d recommend staying between 3-6 months to really grow personally and professionally. Rural coliving can do a lot for you if you stay for a while. On the other hand, if you’re looking to collect stamps in your passport, then the circuit of urban colivings will better cater for your needs.
Ultimately, each coliving has its own personality and style. The founders have a certain vision for their project, which may or may not be aligned with yours. When choosing, location and other relevant aspects must also be taken into account.
If you want further advice about where to stay, write to us.
Kalart Coliving inspires professionals looking for life change and social impact.
More than a home for nomads, we are a family of entrepreneurs and creatives striving for change within ourselves and the world around us. Work towards your goals with coaching from experts and the support of a family-like community, 45km from Barcelona.
Check out our beautiful private rooms, and read about our weekly activities on our website kalart.org.
KALART COLIVING & COWORKING BARCELONA | TERMS & CONDITIONS | PRIVACY POLICY