At the age of 22, Alex Cassidy, a British man, built a house on the Caribbean island of Tobago for just $4,000. The young musician utilized a piece of land owned by his family to create a modest abode. Now 23 years old, Cassidy spends six months each winter in the Caribbean and the remaining six months working during England’s busy summer season. One of his favorite spots in his island home is the terrace overlooking the palm trees.
“The views here are so charming, especially during sunset with the sound of crickets chirping,” he told The Epoch Times during an interview. “I even made a small desk where I can use my computer and enjoy leisurely time.”
Sharing his adventure on social media, Cassidy’s revelation of the low cost of his housing project has not only surprised but also inspired many of his followers. The decision to move abroad was prompted by the significantly lower property ownership prices in Tobago compared to the UK, where hiring a worker costs around 50 to 60 pounds per day, a rate that would be four times higher in his home country.
“Obviously,” he said, “building materials are much more expensive in the UK, as is land. That’s a big difference.”
Fortunately, his stepfather, a renowned British musician, purchased a piece of land on the island around 2009. It took years for them to slowly build the house with the help of experienced workers and neighbors.
Cassidy advises those considering relocating to lower-cost areas to purchase land before prices rise. With the assistance of skilled workers and some neighbors, the ambitious young man completed the approximately 12×16 square foot house in just over two months. Cassidy learned building techniques by assisting his stepfather in constructing houses and watching instructional videos on YouTube, achieving an open-plan design with a very limited budget.
The team procured sturdy pillars for the high-raised structure, leveled the ground, erected walls using a combination of plywood and hardwood, and installed a galvanized steel roof. The property is now equipped with electricity, running water, an en suite bathroom, and Wi-Fi.
Cassidy shared that the biggest challenge was hauling heavy materials up the slope. “Sometimes it took four or five people to carry the materials up. After rain, the ground becomes extremely slippery, and we would just slide on the slope,” he recalled.
Despite the difficulty, Cassidy was astonished when he saw the completed house for the first time, as the construction site had been a vision for so long. “Seeing the project complete seemed like a distant dream,” he said. “But as the interior walls went up and I started painting, the house truly felt like a home. Then laying down the rug made the space bright. At that moment, I realized, ‘Oh, I really have my own home now.'”
Apart from avoiding the cold and gloomy English winter and dodging mortgage debts, Cassidy highlighted the sense of community in Tobago as a significant benefit. “People in Tobago are very friendly, warm, and kind. They are really nice and supportive,” he said. “It’s a great community, a small village where everyone knows each other and looks out for one another.”
Cassidy will always cherish his experience collaborating with a worker who unexpectedly showed up at his doorstep one day asking for work, despite being strangers. “We joked around while working and had a great time together. I met a really good friend there; he’s a really good person,” Cassidy shared.
Understanding the country, its people, and customs is crucial for anyone planning a similar adventure, according to Cassidy. “Different places have different laws, mentalities, and perspectives. Moving to a place without understanding the country’s situation would be a huge risk,” he said.
Currently limited by visa restrictions to staying in the Caribbean region for only half a year, Cassidy’s main income comes from his work as a seasonal musician in England. He misses his family and friends back home but hopes to acquire citizenship or permanent residency to extend his stay.
Living in the Caribbean has brought Cassidy valuable experiences. “It has made me friendlier. Here, I can talk with anyone, meet people I’ve never seen before, and have full-on conversations. It has made me more sociable,” he added.
Cassidy frequently showcases the natural beauty of his island home and the differences in lifestyle between England and the Caribbean region in his videos. Initially inspired by online videos of people building amateur houses, he decided to document his journey after seeing similarly aged Brits in Thailand doing the same. His first video garnered 2 million views and received overwhelmingly positive support.
“I never expected this much attention—it’s truly surprising,” Cassidy said. “All the comments I’ve read are very supportive. Some people say, ‘Oh, you can’t build it with 3000 pounds.’ Some think I’m lying, but I really did build it with 3,000 pounds, and I can save money.”
This rewrite and translation were based on an article originally published by The Epoch Times.