Our Story and Why Rural Tourism Matters

It all started on Tuesday, September 19, 2023, when my partner Jenya messaged me saying, "Hey, we have a chance to go to Cyprus through the Erasmus+ program, where we'll learn traditional crafts for three weeks."

At first, I wasn't too keen because I had ongoing projects demanding my daily attention. But after some pondering, I figured, why not go with the flow? So, we applied, and within days, got accepted.

Fast forward to October 23, we packed a small suitcase and off we went to Cyprus. We flew to a place boasting the best weather on earth that month.

We stayed with other project participants in a large, traditional, cosy and comfortable Cypriot stone house, with high ceilings, and sky-blue walls.

Every day, we went somewhere together, learning and discovering the island's history.

Once, chatting with Martin (the project's founder), I asked him what would happen to the house after we left. Since we were the last group of the season, Martin said the house would sit empty until May.

Coincidentally, a few months before, I learned about the concept of coliving and was very excited about it. I planned to help guesthouses in my home country of Moldova develop this concept, because i had a travel startup that perfectly fitted.

But this house in Cyprus was ideal for coliving - with a large shared kitchen, lounge, and private rooms for each guest.

So I told Martin about coliving concept, how it works, its benefits, and that this house was a perfect fit for it.

He agreed almost immediately, and gave us the green light to get going.

From that spur of the moment conversation, we considered how we'd get started.

On November 16, 2023, we bought the web domain cypruscoliving.com - and at that point, we knew with excitement there was no turning back.

Just a month before, we couldn't have imagined managing a coliving space in one of Cyprus' most popular villages - Lefkara, visited by Da Vinci and other famous figures, where we knew people from all over the world would come not just to live and work, but also to discover themselves, make new friends, and simply enjoy life.

From that point everything happened quickly.
We had plenty of hospitality and digital marketing experience, and were confident this new venture would be a logical continuation of our professional activities.

Now, when writing this article, we are happy that we were listening to our inner voice and going with the flow. We love very much to plan everything, but this experience showed us that sometimes we need to let go life to happen.

Also we believe that all this wasn't a coincides because from 2020 we were developing and digitizing rural tourism in Moldova.

We believe rural tourism is a crucial element in our modern world. And coliving in the countryside is like an emerald; not yet visible to everyone, but with tremendous potential.

Why?
Let me explain!

Coliving, typically offered in bustling urban environments, offers a total different experience in the countryside.

While the core concept remains focused on communal living and shared resources, the rural backdrop presents uniquely compelling and sustainable benefits:

Shared resources and reduced costs
At the heart of coliving is the efficient usage of resources. In rural settings, this principle not only simplifies the sharing of utilities and rent but also extends to communal spaces such as gardens, lounges, and kitchens. Resources, which may be scarcer or more expensive due to transportation challenges, are used most efficiently, ensuring high living standards.

And collective grocery purchases, particularly of locally sourced items, help lower costs and minimise our carbon footprint.

Community building
Rural coliving cultivates a strong sense of community. With smaller groups and shared responsibilities, relationships deepen. These spaces transcend mere living arrangements to become supportive networks crucial in remote rural areas, turning neighbours into extended family members.

Sustainability
Rural environments seamlessly align with sustainable practices, a fundamental aspect of modern coliving. With ample land available, communities often engage in farming, promoting self-sufficiency and reducing reliance on external sources.

With more space comes the opportunity to leverage renewable energy solutions, such as solar panels and wind turbines. And waste management adopts a greener approach through community-driven composting and recycling.

Skill sharing
Rural coliving spaces evolve into educational hubs, supported by residents' diverse skills. From practical abilities such as organic farming to contemporary skills like digital marketing, these settings encourage continuous learning.

Workshops, both formal and informal, become regular occurrences, fostering growth and knowledge exchange.

Improved work-life balance
Rural life offers a real break from the hustle and grind of modern life. Professionals can operate in peaceful surroundings, combining work with rejuvenating breaks in nature. Removing long commutes from life allows residents to enjoy more free time, and greater productivity.

Supporting local economies
Coliving communities, by collaborating with local businesses, contribute significantly to the vitality of the local economy. Embracing locally-produced goods, using regional services, and initiating joint community projects, nurture close relationships between coliving spaces and their surrounding areas.

Rural coliving represents more than just transplanting a concept; it embodies communal living with the unique attributes of country life.

As urban overcrowding and environmental challenges continue to increase, rural coliving offers a multifaceted solution - blending community, sustainability, and natural appeal.

That's our story and what we stand for!
Hope you enjoyed it.

If you've got a tale you're itching to tell or just want to chat about life, drop us a line via email or hit us up on our Facebook or Instagram pages. We're absolutely thrilled to connect with folks who share our values or have some fascinating experiences to share. Can't wait to hear from you!

Stas and Jenya.