What is Coliving? 10 Benefits of Coliving Communities
Coliving communities have been gaining traction the last few years, and they’re showing no signs of slowing down. From increased affordability to enhanced social connections, coliving provides numerous benefits that are transforming the way people live. Keep reading to dig into the top 10 advantages of coliving communities, and to discover why they’ve become such a desirable option for so many.
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What is coliving?
Coliving is where individuals, couples, and families live together in a shared space. With most coliving arrangements, residents have their own bedrooms (or private living spaces), but they share common areas like kitchens, living rooms, and sometimes bathrooms. Basically, coliving combines the idea of communal living with the privacy and flexibility of living on your own.
Many colives include amenities like coworking spaces, gyms, and/or laundry facilities. In addition, you’ll often find that coliving spaces organize events and activities to foster a sense of community and encourage residents to connect with one another.
Why is coliving so popular?
Coliving is becoming more and more popular, especially in urban areas where housing is increasingly expensive (and hard to find). Not only does coliving provide an alternative to renting or owning a home, but it offers a more flexible (and cost-effective) option for students, young professionals, digital nomads and slowmads, and people who value community.
In a coliving space, residents can enjoy the benefits of shared resources, reduced living costs, and a built-in social network. Not to mention, coliving can be a chance to collaborate and learn from others in a diverse and dynamic environment.
Types of coliving Spaces
There are 5 types of coliving spaces that cater to a variety of needs and preferences — each described in more detail below.
Traditional shared housing
Traditional shared housing is when individuals (or a group of people) share a living space like a house or an apartment. This is probably the most familiar type of coliving, as it describes roommates who sign a lease and furnish a home together.
Typically, each person or couple has their own bedroom, but they share common areas like the kitchen, living room, and bathrooms. Rent and utilities are split among all the residents, thus increasing the home’s affordability and allowing folks to share responsibilities/resources.
Co-operative housing (co-op)
A co-op is a more formal coliving setup where a group of people collectively owns and manages a property. All the residents of a housing co-op have an equal say in the decision-making process, meaning this is a very democratic style of coliving.
Additionally, co-op members have rules and regulations they agree to adhere to — and they also have assigned shifts for cooking, cleaning, and managing the house. These are generally larger homes, with anywhere from 15 people to over 100 residents in total.
Co-housing
Co-housing is where individuals or families live in separate homes within a big community setting. This concept originated in Denmark back in the 1960s, but lately it’s seen a lot in suburban and rural areas where space is plentiful (and affordable).
Essentially, co-housing consists of a cluster of private homes or apartments surrounding a shared space like a common house, courtyard, or garden. Residents of co-housing communities can team up on shared responsibilities such as meals, childcare, and maintenance.
Dorm-style living
Dorm-style living is directly inspired by college dorms, though it’s also similar to a hotel. In a dorm arrangement, small (private) bedrooms line the hallways that lead into bigger common areas like the kitchen or dining room. That said, some dorms might also have shared bedrooms — like what’s seen in most hostels.
Dorm living caters to young professionals, students, and travelers seeking affordable accommodations and a sense of community. Amenities often include communal areas for socializing and organized activities like trivia, karaoke, or happy hour.
Coliving retreats
Coliving retreats are short-term environments that offer an immersive and focused experience. Most retreats take place in unique locations like resorts, retreat centers, or other attractive destinations. Regardless of where they happen, retreats tend to operate around a specific theme or purpose (wellness, personal development, etc).
Participants live together and engage in activities, workshops, and networking opportunities designed to foster personal and professional growth. Coliving retreats can last a few days or several weeks, all depending on what you’re trying to achieve.
Top 10 benefits of coliving communities
Curious why so many people are opting for coliving these days? Here are the top 10 benefits of this type of living arrangement.
1. Affordability
One of the biggest advantages with coliving is its affordability. By dividing rent, utilities, and household supplies among different coliving members, you can dramatically reduce your living expenses for the duration of your stay. This is exactly why coliving is such an enticing option for people who want a cost-effective housing solution in (more expensive) urban areas.
2. Social connections
Coliving spaces are designed to encourage a sense of community and connection. Living in close proximity with like-minded individuals helps you develop meaningful relationships that far surpass the surface level. Colivers often participate in communal activities like shared meals, movie nights, and weekend outings, which help cultivate a sense of belonging and support.
3. Expanded network
Living in an intentional community is a great way to expand your network. More often than not, coliving spaces attract people from diverse backgrounds, professions, and cultures — which creates tons of room for networking. Better yet, gathering together a bunch of entrepreneurs and creative professionals lays the foundation for collaboration and exchanging ideas.
4. Convenient services
Most coliving spaces come with a range of services to enhance the colivers’ quality of life. These services might include housekeeping, maintenance, high-speed internet, laundry facilities, and even shared amenities (like coworking spaces). By handling these practical details, coliving communities allow you to focus your time and attention elsewhere.
5. Flexibility
If you’re someone who follows a slowmad or digital nomad lifestyle, you know that flexibility is key. The beauty of coliving spaces is that all their accommodations offer flexible terms — AKA you’re not tied down to a 12-month lease right out of the gate. Instead, you can (usually) stay as long or as short as you need, helping you adapt to different stages in your life and career.
6. Personal growth
When you’re in a coliving community, you’re constantly exposed to (and interacting with) different perspectives, ideas, and cultures — which can propel personal growth and learning. By living with a diverse group of people, you have an opportunity to expand your horizons, challenge your assumptions, and develop a greater understanding of the world around you.
7. Shared resources
Coliving communities encourage sharing resources, which can have significant ecological and sustainability benefits. For example, most colivings come with shared kitchens and common spaces, but they might also promote things like carpooling or group purchases. In that way, colives use resources more efficiently to reduce their overall environmental impact.
8. Access to amenities
Many coliving communities provide access to amenities that would otherwise be unaffordable or inaccessible to individual residents. These amenities might include swimming pools, fitness centers, game rooms, rooftop gardens, and more. In short, the collective nature of coliving communities allows people to enjoy a higher standard of living at a fraction of the cost.
9. Reduced loneliness
Although living alone has its perks, it can sometimes trigger feelings of loneliness or isolation. Fortunately, coliving communities address these issues by providing built-in social support systems. Living with others who share common interests or goals creates a sense of camaraderie, and helps combat feelings of loneliness within a supportive environment.
10. Work-life balance
Because coliving communities have spaces designed for remote work and collaboration, they allow residents to strike a healthy work-life balance. In other words, the presence of dedicated coworking areas and shared desks means you can better separate your personal and professional life while still enjoying the convenience of working from your (remote) home.
Wrapping up
While coliving certainly isn’t a new concept, it’s become more popular in recent years as a new generation of workers and travelers have discovered its many benefits. Coliving spaces provide an opportunity to live in community and cultivate a sense of belonging. Not just that, but coliving encourages collaboration and helps you build meaningful relationships with other residents.
Ultimately, coliving offers all the advantages of living with roommates — affordable rent, shared resources, fast friendships — but without signing onto a long-term lease. It’s no wonder these communities have caught on in such a big way, and continue to pop up all over the world.
Coliving FAQs
Learn more about coliving with the help of our FAQ section.
What is the concept of coliving?
Coliving is a modern housing concept where individuals, couples, and families live together in a shared space. With most coliving arrangements, residents have their own bedrooms, but they share common areas like kitchens, living rooms, and sometimes bathrooms. Basically, coliving combines the idea of communal living with the privacy and flexibility of living on your own.
Why is coliving popular?
Not only does coliving provide an alternative to renting or owning a home, but it offers a more flexible (and cost-effective) option for students, young professionals, digital nomads and slowmads, and people who value community. In a coliving space, residents can enjoy the benefits of shared resources, reduced living costs, and a built-in social network.
What is the difference between coliving and coworking?
Whereas coworking is primarily focused on work, coliving is essentially a whole lifestyle. Even though most colives have a designated coworking space for residents to use, they more so prioritize communal living and facilitate activities that encourage connection and meaningful social relationships.