The concept of “coliving” in a villa in Costa Rica, offered by the site Outsite, is a growing trend that combines work and leisure in a communal setting. Freelancers and digital nomads now have the opportunity to choose from a variety of locations, such as Cap-Ferret or Cape Town, Morzine or Tenerife, to work remotely without worrying about being alone or dealing with poor internet connections. The rise of “workation” – a combination of work and vacation – has led to the development of temporary coliving spaces in exceptional locations both in France and abroad. This trend allows individuals to enjoy the benefits of both individual and collective living environments while exploring new destinations.
Established in 2015, Outsite was founded by Emmanuel Guisset based on his personal experience as a digital nomad in California. Frustrated with the lack of suitable places to live and work, Guisset transformed a villa near San Francisco into a mixed-use coliving space. The success of this venture led to the expansion of Outsite, which now offers a selection of over fifty destinations for its approximately five thousand regular clients. The company has evolved from managing large houses to smaller hotels with ten to fifty rooms, ideal for creating communal living spaces that cater to the needs of digital nomads and remote workers.
The startup aims to provide affordable and flexible accommodation options for individuals seeking temporary housing in a community setting. The colivers, primarily tech professionals, marketers, and creatives from the US and Europe, typically stay for durations ranging from three days to four months. With an investment of 300 million euros from three venture capital funds in 2023, Outsite plans to expand its presence in Latin America (Mexico, Chile, Costa Rica, Nicaragua), the US (California, Colorado, New York), and Southern Europe. The company’s goal is to increase its room capacity to over 3,500 within five years, targeting popular destinations like Portugal, Spain, and France.
By offering a unique alternative to traditional hotel accommodation, Outsite allows guests to experience the benefits of coliving in a cost-effective and community-focused environment. The startup’s shift towards smaller hotels, instead of large houses, provides a more sustainable and scalable model for creating coliving spaces with shared amenities and social activities. With the rise of restrictions and bans on short-term vacation rentals like Airbnb in many major cities, coliving offers a practical solution for individuals looking for temporary housing options that comply with local regulations and offer a sense of community.
With the increasing popularity of remote work and the desire for flexible living arrangements, the coliving concept continues to attract a diverse range of professionals seeking a balance between work and leisure. Outsite’s expansion plans in key markets like Portugal, Spain, and France reflect the growing demand for temporary coliving spaces that provide a supportive and social environment for digital nomads and remote workers. As the company evolves and adapts to changing trends in the remote work landscape, it remains committed to offering unique and engaging coliving experiences in desirable destinations around the world.
