Ruralco
I get asked many questions concerning my stay in Spain, but the one I get most is:
"Can I do this too?"
You can do this too.
Here's how.
Firstly, the cost of living in a residency or co-living is relatively low.
The places I look at cost €500 to €1200 a month.
You usually share meals, which leaves you paying about €50-75 per week on food.
I have a temporary tenant watch my apartment while I'm gone, which covers my general living costs in Amsterdam.
When you pick a place in the countryside, you can't hop into a shop or go out at night to spend your dineros. The kind of people who choose these locations are like-minded as they don't opt for heavy drinking or wild parties either, keeping the general household budget low.
Many of my fellow co-livers here at Ruralco are digital nomads; they don't pay rent or mortgage. They often own a car, a storage space, and a postal address. Some of the people I've met at the art residencies were applying for their next stay while there, and generally hop from one to the next all year round.
I hear you say now: 'I have a job, kids, a partner, two cats, and a house to pay off.
And what if I am not an artist or digital nomad?'
Well, why not do it for short periods at a time?
Here at Ruralco, you pay €200 a week for a room with an ensuite and about €50 for food.
Add a flight -or train, try taking the train!- and calculate what fits your budget and schedule.
Canserrat, the art residency near Barcelona I was at, takes in ‘habitantes’ who pay per night. One woman from Barcelona stayed with us for a week to work on her academic thesis.
Many artist residencies have a paid program, which means you get to go for free. As these are usually harder to get into, you need to allow yourself some time to produce a convincing proposal.
'So what's the advantage, compared to working or writing from home?'
Two words: No. Distraction.'
Can I do this too?
December 15, 2023
|
Ruralco, culla
I get asked many questions concerning my stay in Spain, but the one I get most is:
"Can I do this too?"
You can do this too.
Here's how.
Firstly, the cost of living in a residency or co-living is relatively low.
The places I look at cost €500 to €1200 a month.
You usually share meals, which leaves you paying about €50-75 per week on food.
I have a temporary tenant watch my apartment while I'm gone, which covers my general living costs in Amsterdam.
When you pick a place in the countryside, you can't hop into a shop or go out at night to spend your dineros. The kind of people who choose these locations are like-minded as they don't opt for heavy drinking or wild parties either, keeping the general household budget low.
Many of my fellow co-livers here at Ruralco are digital nomads; they don't pay rent or mortgage. They often own a car, a storage space, and a postal address. Some of the people I've met at the art residencies were applying for their next stay while there, and generally hop from one to the next all year round.
I hear you say now: 'I have a job, kids, a partner, two cats, and a house to pay off.
And what if I am not an artist or digital nomad?'
Well, why not do it for short periods at a time?
Here at Ruralco, you pay €200 a week for a room with an ensuite and about €50 for food.
Add a flight -or train, try taking the train!- and calculate what fits your budget and schedule.
Canserrat, the art residency near Barcelona I was at, takes in ‘habitantes’ who pay per night. One woman from Barcelona stayed with us for a week to work on her academic thesis.
Many artist residencies have a paid program, which means you get to go for free. As these are usually harder to get into, you need to allow yourself some time to produce a convincing proposal.
'So what's the advantage, compared to working or writing from home?'
Two words: No. Distraction.'
I am much more productive when writing my stories at the art residencies or while here, catching up on dusty chores for my Story Lounge. Time works magic here.
Additionally, the lessons I’ve learnt and connections I’ve made are priceless and have made me grow into a stronger, more confident writer and teacher.
I hope this answers your questions, but feel free to send me more!
This link leads you to co-working spaces: https://coliving.com
And this one is nice for art residencies: https://resartis.org
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