In Gran Canaria, thousands of internationals have found connection through one shared space: Live it up, Las Palmas!
Live it up, Las Palmas! connects digital nomads, local professionals, remote workers, expats, and immigrants who are building their lives on the island. It’s a practical, social, and independent community that has grown into one of the largest international networks in Gran Canaria.
The driving force behind it is Nelleke Meijer.
Originally from the Netherlands, Nelleke arrived in Gran Canaria as a digital nomad with a backpack and a remote job. What started as informal meetups to connect with others in a similar position gradually evolved into a structured community space where people could ask questions, share resources, and meet in real life.
Today, the platform counts over 10,000 members. Inside the community, people exchange advice on housing, paperwork, healthcare, schools, coworking spaces, and everyday life. Members organise dinners, sports activities, language exchanges, and business collaborations. It’s practical, social, and rooted in real life.
Nelleke runs the community independently while also working as an online advertising specialist, managing Google Ads accounts for international clients. Her background in digital marketing has helped shape the structure and growth of the platform, but the heart of it remains simple: helping people connect.
Her personal life also became part of the story. At a community meetup in 2021, she met Flavio de Stefano, an Italian entrepreneur with a passion for baking. They are now married, and Flavio runs Bakery de Stefano in Las Palmas de Gran Canaria, a local pastry shop that many community members know well.
Live it up, Las Palmas! continues to be an independent, community-led space built and run by one volunteer. It exists to make life in Gran Canaria easier, more social, and less overwhelming for those navigating a new chapter on the island.
If you value the community and would like to support the time and effort behind it, you can contribute at:
https://buymeacoffee.com/nelleke
Follow Nelleke on Instagram @liveituplaspalmas
