Living in Shared buildings

Our small world just keeps getting larger. As our population grows, the economics of the new world are making it harder to find work in rural areas, and young people are flocking to urban areas to chase high paying jobs and a more exciting lifestyle. We are packing ourselves into areas with little capacity for outward expansion, so developers have turned to high density living as a solution. Now that we are moving into condos and co-living spaces instead of single-family housing, those of us accustomed to peace and quiet are dealing with a whole new set of obstacles.

The rise of co-living spaces: what is co-living

As home and condo prices continue to surge around the country, we have seen a rise in “Hacker Houses” or “Communes”, which present a perfect mix of community and independence, all in one space. It really is just what it sounds like. Typically, a co-living space is a single dwelling, retrofitted to accommodate multiple tenants. Often, these are mansions and very large houses with lots of individual bedrooms. They may even be skyscrapers, housing hundreds of people.

Not all spaces are created equally, so you’ll want to do some research into the options in your city before committing. There are now companies like Open Door, WeLive, and Common are doing the legwork for you, by developing and connecting you with shared spaces.

Co-living brings with it advantages and disadvantages. One of the major downfalls associated with communal living is a lack of privacy. In most co-living spaces, tenants, sometimes called members, have their own rooms, but share things like the kitchen, workspaces, and internet access. It can be a nice balance of social and private life, but sound transmission can still render your bedroom room less than totally private. Acoustical panels are a great solution for battling noise and privacy issues, and we’ll touch a little more on that later.

Co-living spaces do have advantages that can be hard to ignore. First off, the price point may be much more in line with what Millenials are looking to pay. Many of us exited college and headed straight into a recession, so the old school rules of finance may no longer be realistic. In many urban areas, the median home price could be more than half of a person’s income. While this isn’t ideal, it’s a reality many of us face. Co-living may provide some relief for your pocketbook.

Another reason co-living spaces are growing in popularity is that they can provide a network of people who are in the same boat. Maybe you are the CEO of a startup. There’s a co-living space that’s great for that. Maybe you’re an artist who’s trying to build your brand. There’s a co-living space for that too. When we first hear of the concept, many of us picture a dirty frat house with sticky floors and a musty, dusty atmosphere. In reality, the right space may provide more of a support group, with roommates who are very respectful of the life you are trying to create for yourself. This is another reason you’ll want to do your research. It’s always good to know who your neighbors are before entering a lease next to a hard-partying teen or a colicky toddler.

Sharing is caring - but there need to be some limits

It can be great to share certain spaces and duties with your housemates, but there are some things people are less willing to share. Most of us are good at sharing the kitchen and living room, but a private bathroom is a make or break for lots of people. You are going to want to do your research to find out what each living space looks like before taking the plunge. Find out what you absolutely need for yourself, and what you are willing to share. You may find that your needs vary slightly from your wants.

You want to be more social- but you also want to have your own little peaceful oasis?

When things get crowded, we all like to retire to our rooms and recharge our batteries a little bit. If you are living in a house with a dozen people, this can get tricky. Investing in some solid acoustical panels can change the course of your life drastically. If your private bedroom amplifies the sounds from around the house, going there for a recharge may not quiet your mind. A few well-placed panels can turn your echo chamber into a little fortress of solitude.

Is co-living the right choice for you?

Now that you know a little more about what co-living is and how it works, you may have decided it’s worth looking into. On the other hand, you may have decided you want to run far, far away. While it’s not for everybody, some people love it, and others can make a few adjustments to make the arrangement work for them. If you do decide to give it a shot, you are sure to have a live-in support group to help you work out the kinks.