Real Estate in Vanuatu: The Rise of Co-Living Spaces

Published on October 23, 2025 and written by Cyril Jarnias

In the Heart of the Pacific Ocean, Vanuatu is Experiencing a Notable Transformation in Real Estate

The emergence of co-living spaces is revolutionizing how people live and work across the archipelago. These shared living spaces meet the growing needs of digital nomads, international entrepreneurs, and locals aspiring to a more connected community.

Blending friendliness, flexibility, and architectural innovations, these places offer an innovative solution to increasing housing challenges, while integrating harmoniously with the local culture and environment.

A Trend Redefining the Traditional Real Estate Landscape

This trend is redefining Vanuatu’s traditional real estate landscape, attracting the attention of investors and residents seeking a new living experience.

Upscale Shared Housing in Vanuatu: A Trend Among Young Professionals

Upscale shared housing in Vanuatu stands out distinctly from traditional forms of shared housing through a series of premium elements that particularly appeal to young professionals, entrepreneurs, and freelancers seeking a balance between work life and an attractive living environment.

Criteria	Traditional Shared Housing	Upscale Shared Housing in Vanuatu
Amenities	Basic, standard furniture	Fully equipped kitchen, home automation, private bathrooms, state-of-the-art appliances
Common Areas	Standard shared living room	Designer lounge, outdoor relaxation areas (pool, terrace), TV/cinema room
Workspaces	Rarely dedicated	Integrated coworking open space or individual offices
Location	Outskirts or mixed neighborhoods	Sought-after neighborhoods near the coastline or downtown
Included Services	Few or none	Regular cleaning, digital concierge

Key Attractions for Young Professionals:

• Modern Amenities: Home automation (smart management of heating/air conditioning/lighting), fiber optic for ultra-fast internet essential for remote work and video conferencing.
• Optimized Shared Spaces: Open offices inspired by coworking spaces allowing everyone to work efficiently while promoting networking.
• Prime Location: Immediate proximity to Vanuatu’s iconic beaches or dynamic neighborhoods with easy access to shops and urban infrastructure.
• Personalized Services: Weekly cleaning included in the rent, responsive rental management via mobile apps.

Effects on the Local Real Estate Market:

• Rising rents in premium segments due to increasing demand for these “turnkey” homes perfectly suited to the needs of a connected and mobile workforce.
• Partial redirection of the existing rental stock towards renovation to meet the standards expected by this new, demanding clientele.
• Increased occupancy rates in some previously undervalued neighborhoods thanks to the targeted development of upscale offerings.

Demand Outlook:

The rise of young digital entrepreneurs seeking a flexible yet stimulating professional environment is strongly fueling this trend. Many wish to easily switch between their daily professional activities and an exclusive beachside lifestyle.

Freelancers also appreciate immediate access to a dynamic international community – conducive to networking – as well as all necessary services without logistical constraints or significant initial investment.

In Summary:

Upscale shared housing perfectly meets the current need of a hyper-mobile generation seeking maximum professional efficiency while fully enjoying the exceptional natural setting offered by Vanuatu.

Shared Spaces in Vanuatu: Reinventing Community Living

Shared spaces, or co-living, are experiencing notable growth in Vanuatu in 2025, supported by the arrival of expatriates, retirees, and digital nomads attracted by the affordable cost of living and a preserved natural environment. These new forms of housing integrate into a social fabric already marked by a strong local community tradition (“kastom”), where village life is based on sharing, solidarity, and respect for elders.

Main Co-living Trends in Vanuatu:

• Preference for human-scale structures fostering cultural exchange between locals and newcomers.
• Integration of common spaces (communal kitchens, shared gardens) to encourage friendliness.
• Development of hybrid residences blending flexible accommodation and coworking spaces adapted to remote workers.

Economic Benefits:

• Pooling of expenses (rent, electricity) facilitating access to housing for both local and foreign residents.
• Creation of direct jobs (managers, maintenance) and indirect jobs through the use of local producers for food or ancillary services.
• Stimulation of the real estate market through increased demand for flexible housing.

Community Benefits:

• Strengthening community living: these spaces promote intercultural interactions without threatening traditional values; they are often designed with the input or active participation of local communities.
• Support for integration: workshops around kava or discovery of local customs are regularly organized.

Concrete Examples:

Project	Location	Special Features
Nambawan CoLiving	Port-Vila	Common spaces opening onto a tropical garden
Santo Village Hub	Luganville	Collaboration with local artisans
Pacific Roots Home	Efate	Cultural immersion program

Impact on the Local Real Estate Market:

• Gradual increase in land value in some tourist areas or near urban centers.
• Emergence of mixed real estate projects integrating temporary and long-term accommodation.

Potential Challenges Faced by These Projects:

• Cultural Reluctance: some communities initially perceive these initiatives as a potential threat to their traditional way of life.
• Regulatory Adaptability: sometimes a lack of a specific legal framework governing these new types of accommodation.
• Land Pressure: risk that some land becomes financially inaccessible to historical residents due to external influx.

Strategies Adopted to Address These Challenges:

• Systematic involvement of customary chiefs during initial development;
• Implementation of charters guaranteeing cultural respect;
• Voluntary limitation of the number of units built to preserve local balance;
• Ongoing dialogue with municipal authorities regarding adapted urban planning and taxation;

In summary, co-living in Vanuatu is developing according to a hybrid model that leverages traditional collective strength while meeting modern expectations. It thus represents both an economic and social opportunity but requires continuous adaptation so that its benefits sustainably benefit everyone.

Digital Community and Co-living: The New Asset in Vanuatu Real Estate

The rise of digital communities has profoundly transformed the real estate market in Vanuatu, fostering the rapid growth of co-living spaces. These new living places meet the expectations of a connected and mobile generation, composed of both international nomadic workers and permanent residents seeking a flexible and collaborative lifestyle.

Advantages of Co-living Spaces for Digital Nomads and Residents:

• Facilitated networking thanks to the daily presence of individuals from varied professional backgrounds
• Optimized resource sharing (equipped common spaces, digital tools, high-speed internet access)
• Enriching community life fostered by the regular organization of social and professional events
• Reduced individual housing costs through the pooling of services (cleaning, security, leisure)
• Flexibility in the duration and nature of the stay (short or long stays possible)

Advantage	Impact for Digital Nomads	Impact for Permanent Residents
Networking	International opportunities	Intercultural exchanges
Resource Sharing	Easy access to modern equipment	Reduced individual costs
Community Life	Increased sense of belonging	Creation of lasting bonds
Flexibility	Adaptation to professional rhythm	Possibility of flexible rental or ownership

The acceleration of remote work since the pandemic has served as a catalyst for this evolution. The growing need for spaces adapted to distant work has generated sustained demand for co-living: these hybrid homes not only provide a conducive work environment but also a stimulating social setting.

Some Local Initiatives Illustrate This Dynamic:

• Recent development of residential complexes under the “Strata Titles Act” regime, facilitating access to modern condominiums adapted to urban co-living.
• Increased investments in sustainable real estate with the integration of eco-responsible collaborative spaces.
• Local calls for projects highlighting the creation or renovation of collective buildings intended for digital communities.

Economic and Social Effects on Vanuatu:

The enthusiasm around co-living is stimulating the local real estate sector with a steady rise in prices while encouraging new social diversity. Foreign investments are boosted by this innovative model that values both the entrepreneurial fabric and the local cultural heritage.

This trend thus fully participates in redefining the economic attractiveness of the territory while strengthening its social cohesion around the values shared by its new digital communities.