Is Colife The Future For Up And Coming Entrepreneurs?

Simon Robinson | 4 July, 2021 | Est. reading time: 5 minutes
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coliving spaces

Coworking isn’t a novel concept. We’ve seen this working trend explode globally, with dedicated professionals demanding flexibility and freedom over where they work. Coliving, on the other hand, is an entrepreneurial term that’s quite new and lesser-known.

So what is coliving? Does it represent a promising new way to work and live for the next generation of employees, professionals and entrepreneurs? This article discusses the ins and outs of co-life and why it’s not just a fad but here to stay.

What Is Coliving?

Coworking setups offer cheaper and flexible alternatives to traditional offices where all types of professionals can work uninterrupted utilising desk space, free WIFI and communal areas.

Coliving takes coworking to the next level. Although it incorporates working, coliving provides shared housing to diverse groups of individuals.

Beyond accommodation, coliving opens up people’s worlds and lives to incredible experiences, all the while pursuing different professional ventures.

Beyond accommodation, coliving opens up people’s worlds and lives to incredible experiences, all the while pursuing different professional ventures.
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Who Is Coliving Targeted At?

With remote work on the rise, people are no longer constrained to performing their jobs in one location.

Having greater flexibility over where they work means individuals can choose to travel the world while still earning a living.

Although coliving is suitable for any professional, these spaces attract digital nomads, entrepreneurs, and location-independent jobs who value connection and interaction.

However, the problem lies in finding affordable housing that doesn’t eat up one’s entire paycheck or requires long-term renting.

Coliving spaces provide cost-efficient spaces to rest, relax and socialise at the end of a workday for as long as you need it.

Aren’t Coliving Spaces Glorified Dorm Rooms?

You’ve got the wrong idea of coliving spaces if you picture loud music, raging parties and sharing bunk beds with snoring strangers.

Coliving spaces are structured and organised, filled with designated areas that enable their inhabitants to focus on their personal and private lives.

Private bedrooms, communal bathrooms, kitchens and lounges feature, providing tenants designated areas to work hard and have fun.

Of course, shared housing isn’t for everyone, particularly if you’re introverted, need your space to decompress, don’t want to be reminded of work after the day ends, or prefer to keep home and work life separate.

Private bedrooms, communal bathrooms, kitchens and lounges feature, providing tenants designated areas to work hard and have fun.
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What Are The Advantages Of Coliving?

For those who often travel for work or consider themselves digital nomads, staying at hotels, air bnbs, or renting an apartment is undoubtedly isolating and expensive. Learn more about these and other coliving benefits below.

Community and Networking

Fitting into a new city can be hugely lonely, time-consuming and overwhelming. Being in a coliving space removes some of that stress and anxiety with a supportive community living under the same roof as you. It also puts you in touch with an array of interesting people. Therefore, coliving isn’t merely accommodation, but joining forces with tightnight communities.

Not only is building friendships in these living-working environments easier but so is forging connections and professional relationships. When you think about it, you’re surrounded by individuals with x amount of business contacts.

Put all of these together, and there’s potential for you to tap into these networks, gain exposure and improve your visibility.

Socialising and collaboration are an inherent part of co-life because you’ll be rubbing shoulders with like-minded individuals. Stuck on work-related issues that you can’t solve? There’s always a door you can knock on for suggestions, support and advice.

Fitting into a new city can be hugely lonely, time-consuming and overwhelming.
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Economical And Convenient

Coliving spaces are convenient and cost-efficient because you’re splitting costs with your fellow housemates.

Other accommodation options might stretch your budget or not adequately provide you with the facilities you need, like blazing fast internet, to work efficiently and productively.

If you don’t want to foot the responsibility of paying individual bills, this is also a living solution for you. Usually, utilities are included in coliving packages.

Flexibility

It doesn’t matter whether you’re in town for a few days, weeks, months or longer; coliving spaces offer flexible terms of cohabitation. Some have a minimum stay spanning a couple of days to a month.

It doesn’t matter whether you’re in town for a few days, weeks, months or longer; coliving spaces offer flexible terms of cohabitation.
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Are All Coliving Spaces The Same?

Linen, appliances, utensils, and some kitchen supplies are catered for, so you don’t need to bring your own unless you have specific requirements or preferences.

This convenience allows you to travel light if you’re a globetrotter and not be weighed down by unnecessary clutter on your working adventures.

Private Bedrooms

As a working professional, sharing your sleeping quarters with someone else is less than ideal, especially if you have vastly different work schedules.

Most coliving spaces offer individual bedrooms with storage, beds and some decorative features. The style of these private rooms ranges from basic to luxury depending on how much you’re willing to spend on accommodation.

If you’re looking to reduce your spending on rent further, there are co-living spaces with shared bedrooms. These living arrangements are probably similar to what you might experience at a backpacker or hostel.

The style of these private rooms ranges from basic to luxury depending on how much you’re willing to spend on accommodation.
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Communal Areas

Kitchen, bathrooms and lounge areas are shared spaces from where you can congregate and hang out with your housemates.

These spaces are made to feel comfortable and homely and might include additional creature comforts like inbuilt fitness centres, balconies and entertainment zones.

Regular Maintenance And Cleaning

Behind-the-scenes staff work hard to maintain and clean collaborative spaces to keep them spotless and germ-free. In the aftermath of the COVID-19 outbreak, health and sanitation are top priorities for coliving space providers.

Are Coliving Spaces Furnished?

Linen, appliances, utensils, and some kitchen supplies are catered for, so you don’t need to bring your own unless you have specific requirements or preferences.

This convenience allows you to travel light if you’re a globetrotter and not be weighed down by unnecessary clutter on your working adventures.

Are Coworking Spaces Incorporated Into Coliving Spaces?

Since coliving spaces house professionals who combine work with leisure, inhabitants need somewhere to graft without interruption.

The question is, are coliving spaces linked to coworking spaces? Some coliving housing offers direct access to coworking spaces, are close to suitable flex space from which to be productive or provide workplaces like tables and chairs from which to work.

Some coliving housing offers direct access to coworking spaces, are close to suitable flex space from which to be productive or provide workplaces like tables and chairs from which to work.
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Has Covid-19 Put A Spanner In The Works For Coliving?

COVID-19 affected many different industries, the coliving marketplace included. With the introduction of travel restrictions and bans in the early stages of the pandemic, occupancy at coliving spaces dwindled, with some having to shutter their doors permanently.

However, the impact of the pandemic for these companies hasn't been all bad. With the advent of vaccines, people are moving about more freely.

Furthermore, with lots of employees remote working permanently, people's lifestyles have changed. In a digitised world, it is possible to be nomadic, travel the world, work from coworking spaces and join coliving communities.

If you are looking for office space in the United States, Office Hub has a wide range of different office spaces listed on its website! We have got you covered with a wide variety of office spaces accessible to rent around the United States, particularly in New York City, Los Angeles, and San Francisco

For more information on the best place to set up your office in the USA, contact one of our specialist consultants.

Let us guide you

We know the search process for a new workspace can be overwhelming, that’s why our team are here to help through every step of the way.