At a time when one in two 18-34 year-olds has already shared a home with flatmates or colivers, coliving is not “the latest fad”, but rather a lasting trend in the property rental market. Millennials are particularly attracted to this type of housing because it meets their expectations: conviviality, simplicity, escape and responsibility.
Conviviality
Although not all millennials were born with the Internet, they have grown up with a computer or a joystick in their hands, and have taken to social networking as a matter of course. Despite all the progress these new technologies have brought us, we have to admit that they create isolated and lonely individuals. Yet many people want and need social contact, particularly with people of their own age. Coliving provides such contact, and is the setting for a rich social life, because nothing brings people closer together than sharing their daily lives. For many, coliving residences are a second family, with the advantage of not imposing on you.
The occasional entertainment, weekly dinners, aperitifs and series evenings enable the more reserved to forge gentle bonds and share good times.
Simplicity and flexibility
Millennials are often frustrated with administrative tasks, especially when they have to wait on the phone to take out an electricity subscription or fill out old-fashioned forms, when two clicks on an app should suffice. With coliving, everything is included: rent, taxes, water, heating, electricity, internet, insurance… no more wasted time or forgotten bills!
The accommodation is furnished, so all you need to bring is your personal belongings: no shopping to do, no heavy moving to plan.
Rental contracts are often more flexible than a traditional rental, with shorter notice periods, shorter rental periods, fewer requirements for a joint and several guarantee… Everything is done to make life easier and avoid feeling shackled by a contract.
Digital Nomads
Confinement has highlighted the possibilities of telecommuting, but millennials have been embracing remote working for several years now. Many freelance jobs, or those that don’t require an active presence, allow you to work from wherever you like. The only requirement is a good Internet connection. Communities of freelancers travel to the four corners of the globe to take advantage of idyllic working environments, and meet up in coliving residences in Europe, Asia or South America. The variety of coliving spaces means that everyone can find their ideal place to live. Many like to get together with people working in the same field to find a professionally stimulating atmosphere. You could meet bloggers in Dubai, programmers in Bali or artists in Italy!
Ecology
Millennials are much more involved than their elders in issues relating to ecology, sustainable development and their responsibility to the planet. 66% of millennials think that coliving is the way of living best suited to these issues. In fact, coliving reduces the overall living space of a city and cuts energy costs.