A young man from the UK has gone to extreme lengths to escape the UK property market and has moved to the Caribbean to build his own home.
Alex Cassidy, 22, has ditched chilly British winters for a life of the sun after spending just £3,000 to build building a one-bed home on land in Tobago, an island and ward within the Republic of Trinidad and Tobago.
Every year, Alex, who a musician from the Isle of Wight, spends six months on the island to escape the rainy and cold winters in the UK.
The house is owned by Alex’s stepdad, Derek Sandy, 61 and took just £3k renovate.
After collecting materials, he spent three months building with the help of local tradespeople turning it into a home.
Alex now lives mortgage-free and only spends £130 on electricity, water and wi-fi every three months.
‘It’s such a price difference to the UK,’ he said. ‘I spent £3,000 to build a whole house and never pay rent.’
Tobago has always been like a second home to Alex who grew up spending time between the Isle of Wight and the Caribbean island – where his musician stepdad, Derek hails from.
Now Alex spends half of the year in each country so decided to build a house on the land Derek owns in Tobago.
He started collecting materials in January 2023 but began properly building the home with the help of local labourers in January 2024.
Alex finished the one-bed home in March this year and spent just £3k on the whole build.
Though the youngster is now living the dream escaping cold UK winters, he admitted it hasn’t all been rainbows and sunshine.
‘It was heavy labour. My house is on a hill but it was rewarding.
‘It’s a really open plan space with a bed, living room, kitchen and bathroom. It’s very simple.’
Alex said the plumbing cost him £120 and the electricity £150 to set up.
He said: ‘In England it was £3,000 to £4,000 just to put electric in a one-bedroom flat.
‘Some of the material prices were very similar to the UK but labour is a lot cheaper and I did a lot myself.’
Alex said he loved watching his dream become a reality but it didn’t hit him until he was putting the putting the final touches in.
After that, he realised at just 22 that he had managed to secure himself a home in a location people only dream of.
‘The realisation hit me. I have a home. This is mine.’
Alex lives mortgage free and spends £100 on electricity and water every three months plus £30 to £40 for Wifi.
Though, Alex understands this isn’t a privilege afforded to everyone his age. He acknowledged how ‘sad’ it was that his friends would struggle to find themselves in the same position as him.
‘A lot of my friends got good jobs and most of their money goes on bills and rent. It’s impossible to get a deposit.’
Alex spends the summer back in the Isle of Wight gigging with Derek but lives in Tobago throughout the winter.
He said: ‘It’s a great life. The UK in summer is a great place [but] winter is very boring.
‘It makes sense for me to go out. It’s cheaper. I earn a below average wage. But I don’t spend much money.’
Despite strangers online saying the house is a ‘tin shed’ Alex loves his home.
He said: ‘I’d rather live here than a £300k house I have to pay for for 35 years on a mortgage. I own this, I never have to pay anyone a cent.
‘I don’t have to work for 35 years to live in a cold, boring miserable country.’
Alex loves the six months he spends in Tobago.
He said: ‘The night life is brilliant. I’m always meeting new people. I’m never lonely.
‘In the day I relax at the beach. The people are really interesting.
‘I wanted to show the natural beauty of Tobago.’
