The Ultimate Guide to Coliving: Unlock the Benefits & Transform Your Life

It is becoming an increasingly popular living arrangement for both work and leisure as people around the world seek to make the most out of their living arrangements. Coliving provides all of the benefits of traditional roommates and shared space, plus some great extras. With coliving, you can live, work, and connect with a diverse network of like-minded individuals all while enjoying amenities that help you live life to its fullest.

In this guide, we will discuss the benefits of coliving, how to make the most of your coliving experience, and a few of the unique ways coliving can benefit you and those around you. We will also look at the various types of coliving arrangements, what you can expect when you’re living in a coliving space, and tips to help you create an environment of productivity and connection. Whether you are an entrepreneur, remote worker, or just looking for a new and different way to live, coliving can be an amazing option for you. So, let’s get started!

The 6 Benefits of Coliving and Why You Should Consider Doing It

1- Networking, simplicity and efficiency

The key to successful coliving spaces is convenience and simplicity for residents. With on-site operations and management teams, they can provide the comfort of a home and peace of mind knowing that maintenance issues, cleaning, postal services, and sometimes even food and beverage options are taken care of. Flexible contracts make it easy for people to move in with minimal effort. Furthermore, the shared resources such as skills and knowledge makes life easier for all who inhabit these spaces. It's no wonder that coliving spaces have become an attractive alternative to traditional living arrangements.

2- Make your life easier

Coliving is becoming an increasingly popular alternative to traditional housing as it allows for more efficient use of resources and a 30% discount on average in comparison to other options. 

Furthermore, these benefits are compounded with the included services and amenities which often go extra charges. This makes coliving a relatively cost-effective option compared to single room rentals and explains why occupancy rates are so high.

Compared to a traditional single room rental option, coliving is relatively more cost effective. To illustrate, the fee you pay is not just for a bed and four walls. In contrast, it includes many of the services/amenities that you would otherwise pay extra for, such as cleaning and utilities.

3 - Sustainable Living

Coliving is quickly becoming an attractive lifestyle choice for many individuals. Not only does it provide a sense of community and connection, but it can also reduce the negative environmental impacts of traditional living. Studies have shown that coliving communities have emissions one third that of the average household, making them much more sustainable than traditional living arrangements. Additionally. For the most part, these lowered impacts are enabled through the efficiency that comes with sharing spaces and resources. In addition, centralized or well-connected locations can facilitate sustainable travel.

These studies demonstrate the potential for coliving to significantly reduce our environmental footprint in the future.

Finally, coliving has a strong potential to spread and maintain sustainable norms and practices. See our manifesto on creating sustainable cultures to find out more.

4 - Personal & Professional Development

On the personal side, coliving gives people a supportive space to discover new perspectives on themselves, on others, and on life. Communities tend to include cultural, intellectual, and recreational activities. Additionally, residents tend to develop meaningful relationships with their roommates and neighbors, helping each other to grow. This collective atmosphere and creative stimulation allows for personal and social growth, encouraging development beyond the comfort zone.

Furthermore, the value of having a network of individuals who are supportive and open to conversations that challenge one's own thought patterns and biases should not be underestimated. Through this supportive community, people in shared living spaces are also able to expand their professional skills, learn to collaborate, practice good self-care and respect, and create opportunities for leadership development. Finally, living with different people is also a chance to learn about other cultures, mindsets, and values. All of this can lead to enhanced interpersonal skills, increased adaptability, and greater understanding of diverse backgrounds.

5 - Facing loneliness

Loneliness is a growing health concern with potentially life-threatening consequences. Research suggests that loneliness can be even more damaging to one's health than smoking 15 cigarettes a day, and this has been an issue long before the onset of Covid-19. We must take action to address this pandemic if we want to ensure healthier lives for everyone.

According to a study by Harvard, more than 1 in 3 adults in the US feel “serious loneliness.” Similarly, in the UK, loneliness is known as “the sad reality of modern life affecting over 9 million people.” According to a global survey, about 33% of adults experience feelings of loneliness worldwide and several governments have even appointed ministers of loneliness.  

To address this problem, coliving can offer a sense of community and belonging that can help reduce loneliness. An example of this is Os Mixtos in the Spain where 74% of its residents said they were less lonely after living there. This solution has been endorsed by the World Economic Forum as an effective way to alleviate anxiety and loneliness.

6 - Improving wellbeing

Wellbeing is a holistic concept that encompasses physical, mental, and emotional health, and all three aspects are interrelated. By prioritizing and maintaining a balance in these areas, individuals can increase their overall sense of equilibrium and lead happier and more fulfilling lives.  Indeed, belonging is a basic human need, and good social relationships are the most consistent predictor of a happy life.

Shared living has become increasingly popular in recent years, as people are beginning to recognize the many benefits of communal living. Not only does shared living provide a sense of community and belonging, but it also helps to facilitate healthier habits. Indeed, coliving can nudge people to take on healthy habits such as regular exercise, healthy eating and even socializing more often. This is because when people live with others who follow these habits, they are more likely to follow suit. Additionally, coliving provides a space for meaningful conversations and connection with others which can help to improve mental wellbeing. Therefore, it is clear that shared living enhances wellbeing through community facilitation and by fostering spaces where people feel part of a larger collective.

Criticism of Coliving

Coliving also raises concerns about responsible tourism and preserving the local environment. Without proper planning, the movement can lead to overcrowding, resulting in over-tourism and overconsumption of local resources such as water and energy. 

For example, in some rural areas, the introduction of luxury coliving may be associated with gentrification and displacement of local residents, as rising rents and housing prices may make it more difficult for those with lower incomes to remain in the area. On the other hand, in some rural areas, coliving experiences may have the potential to help revitalize a community by bringing new money and resources to the area. Coliving can also create more diverse, culturally enriched neighborhoods as well as new employment opportunities for locals.

This is why we take care about supporting local economies, promoting sustainable tourism and preserving cultural heritage  by promoting cultural exchange between rural communities and visitors.

Embrace the Benefits of Colving and Make Your Life Easier.

Inesto is an innovative approach to problem-solving that allows you to quickly and efficiently find solutions to even the most complex problems. With our experiences and projects, you can break down a problem into smaller, more manageable parts and then use creative thinking to come up with a solution. This approach can save time and effort while also allowing you to think outside of the box. By embracing the benefits of Colving, you can make your life easier by quickly finding solutions without having to struggle through complex problems.