Coliving, a kind of enhanced shared apartment that allows its occupants to enjoy their own private space while benefiting from large, well-equipped common rooms, is becoming increasingly popular with young professionals. They no longer dream of having their own apartment, but rather of living life to the full, free from the constraints of an ordinary rental. What really attracts them to coliving?
Value for money
Even if they start out on a good salary, many young people can’t afford decent-sized accommodation in Europe’s major cities. They have to resort to living in small studios or very far from the center. Coliving residences enable them to enjoy large living spaces in which they can move around and breathe at their ease. What’s more, they’re often centrally located, which greatly reduces the time it takes to commute to work or social events.
Simplicity
With coliving, everything is included. There’s no need to sign up for an Internet subscription or worry about paying electricity or water bills. Nor is there any need to spend your first few paychecks on furniture and appliances, as private and shared spaces are furnished to the highest standards and equipped with the latest technology. At a time when many people start their working lives with fixed-term contracts or freelance work, coliving provides much-needed flexibility. It’s easy to move in, and just as easy to move out.
Community life
Despite the development of new means of communication and social networks, young working people are more afraid than ever of going home alone after work and not knowing what to do. Often accustomed to sharing during their studies, many of them have acquired a taste for community life. Coliving allows them to rediscover this state of mind, without the shortcomings of sharing. There’s no more arguing about unfinished housework, the bathroom being occupied for too long, or bills to pay. All this is taken care of, and tenants no longer have to worry about it.
Building a network
Some coliving residences operate by theme. Roommates may be brought together because they share common concerns or hobbies (ecology, good cooking…) or because they work in the same field. In the latter case, coliving greatly facilitates the creation of a professional network and the development of mutual support between roommates.
A state of mind
Many young people are not looking to own things, but rather to experience things. Whereas their parents and grandparents were looking to buy a car or equip their apartment, young people prefer to enjoy life, travel, have free time and be able to use it as they wish. They prefer to improve their quality of life by taking advantage of the many services offered by coliving. They prefer to conjugate the verb “to be” rather than the verb “to have”.
Coliving offers many advantages. As long as they’re curious, open-minded and sociable, young professionals have everything to gain by trying out this rich experience!