A trend that has been embraced by many people in cities across the world, co-living is the new answer to the age-old issue of affordable housing.
But is co-living right for you? We have put together a guide that has everything you need to know about co-living, where it comes from and who it’s for. Let’s dive in!
Firstly, what is co-living?
Co-living is a new rental trend, a way to live and share housing with other like-minded people. At the heart of it, shared living is the creation of a genuine community within a building that goes beyond being just neighbours. Co-living comes in many shapes and forms, from single family homes, to family-style apartments (think of the apartment from ‘’Friends’’).
Shared living housing often entails short-term or flexible leases, as well as perks such as cleaning services, professionally fully furnished rooms and utilities.
Where does it come from?
Co-living has a much-loved ‘’relative’’ called co-working, which has revolutionised office culture as we know it in cities like London, New York, and Hong Kong.
Open-plan offices, where different businesses sit side-by-side in a collaborative environment, are quickly becoming the new norm and the same can be said for shared living. Both based strongly in collaboration and community and take innovative approaches to providing solutions whether its how we live or how we work.
What are the benefits?
Co-living solves many problems that young professionals face when moving to a city. It enables them to access areas they may not be able to afford to live in, while also giving them plenty of add-ons.
But it’s not just the young who can enjoy this form of living, from families to pensioners, more and more of us are seeing the benefits.
- All for one and one for all
One of the most significant benefits of co-living is the company it provides. At a time when people are the loneliest they have ever been, this way of living provides the perfect opportunity to forge new, real connections and friendships.
- More bang for your buck
Living in a big city can be expensive. Sharing a home with others is a lot more affordable than renting a studio or one-bedroom apartment, especially when additional costs like furniture and utilities are factored in. Co-living also saves time and headaches for renters by taking care of those things for them.
- Safety in numbers
When living in a co-living environment, you are not only protected by the high standard of security that most houses and apartments provide but also by the company of your new friends.
Is it for me?
Searching for a new home can be overwhelming. Figuring out how much you can reasonably spend on rent, choosing a location, and finding roommates all take time and energy. Shared living provides you with the best of all worlds, the enjoyment of living with others who share similar interests, having engaging amenities at your fingertips whilst also saving you money.
Interested in joining our co-living London community? We have a number of beautiful, shared living spaces in multiple locations including Chiswick, Fulham, Putney and more.
Find out a more by exploring our co-living FAQs, core values and lovely rooms on our website.