Whether it’s for business, pleasure or a mix of the two, moving to a new country can be an exhilarating experience. Amid all the excitement and novelty of being in a new place, there may also be a few challenges along the way.
Besides adjusting to a new culture, new language and perhaps even a way of living, moving to a new country can get a little lonely sometimes. While it’s normal to miss people you know back home, it’s also easy to forget the new opportunity you have to make new connections.
What Is Co-Living?
Co-living arrangements can be located in most major cities globally so they can be easy to find. Co-living company Cove is one example, with apartments based in Indonesia and Singapore.
Community living is essentially a type of shared housing where people live together under the same roof, though not necessarily in the same property: arrangements for co-living are varied and can include:
- Micro apartments
- Single or double rooms with shared facilities
- Larger family-style apartments within a complex
Who Is It Suitable For?
As a flexible form of accommodation, co-living can be especially well suited to those who are away from home for varying lengths of time as well as those seeking longer-term rentals, including;
- Students
- Digital nomads
- Remote workers
- Expats
With the exception of those looking for more permanent living arrangements (or those who are less comfortable with sharing their living space), co-living can benefit a range of different people seeking flexible, affordable accommodation.
Benefits of Co-Living
Co-living has a number of benefits, including:
- Cost: While some standard rentals can be cost-prohibitive, co-living offers a more affordable alternative.
- Additional services: Lots of co-living spaces come with additional services such as housekeeping and laundry services
- Furnishings: Many co-living spaces come fully-furnished, so they’re ready to move into when you are.
- Recreational facilities (such as games rooms, a gym or pool)
- Repairs services including plumbing
- Security and safety features
- On-site broadband connection
Community living even has benefits for the environment, as sharing resources, transport and energy can help reduce overall consumption.
Co-Living Community
Communal living spaces have existed for centuries in various forms. The concept of co-living (or “community living”) as we know it today originated in Denmark in the 1960s and 1970s, when people dissatisfied with existing housing arrangements were looking for an alternative.
The community aspect of this style of living has the added benefit of creating an environment where you can meet and make friends. Even more introverted types can benefit from co-living, so long as there’s the option for space to decompress and spend time away from people after socializing.
Community Living Etiquette
To keep things harmonious with your other co-living residents, most places have a few “house rules” to follow. Some rules you might expect to see include:
- Requesting that residents clean up after using shared areas like the kitchen.
- Restricting smoking to designated zones.
- Keeping noise to a minimum on weekday evenings.
- Following specific rules for common areas like the gym.
Besides more formal rules, there may also be a few “unspoken” rules to follow, such as being respectful of privacy, remaining sensitive to cultural differences, not using common areas for personal items and helping to keep the space tidy.
