O que é coliving? 5 perguntas e suas respostas

What is coliving? 5 questions and their answers

Coliving is a modern form of communal living, usually a private, furnished room in a shared property. It is an affordable way of living for students, workers, and digital nomads. It often has more flexible rental terms and is billed via a single bill that includes all expenses.



After all, what is co-living? Coliving is not a new idea, but it is also not something that is common to see around here - we are working to change that. Many people still have doubts about what coliving is - that's okay, we'll explain:


questions about coliving and other forms of shared housing


According to Common (the largest coliving management company in the United States), coliving is a modern form of communal living , typically involving a private room in a furnished property with shared common areas. It is an affordable way of living: for students, workers, digital nomads, or even individuals who move frequently. It is attractive because of its affordability, flexibility, included services, and sense of community.


But, of course, there are many different views and specificities around the world, which is why it is a model that generates a lot of doubt. We have gathered some of the most frequently asked questions about the model, which will also show you how it can be advantageous for you:


1. What is coliving?


What is coliving? How shared housing works!


The central idea of ​​coliving is to share: environments, activities, tasks and experiences. It is an environment that allows for various types of housing: you can rent just a room and share a bathroom, rent a suite and share just the living room and kitchen or have a more private apartment and share just experiences! This is because in addition to being a shared home, coliving ends up forming a community: a gathering of people who have interests, affinities or common goals. One consequence of this environment is effective interaction, promoting people to really get to know each other and do activities together. This enhances the quality of life, especially in big cities!


Legend has it that it all began in the 1970s in Denmark, with the Sættedammen community (“The housing dam”, in Portuguese): initially, around 30 families had private homes and shared living spaces and activities, such as meals and cleaning, interest groups, parties and events – a way of stimulating relationships between neighbors.


This concept was given the name co-housing by architect Charles Durrett, who began using the model in developments in the United States – the first, Muir Commons, opened in California in 1991: Following the proposal of collective housing, the maintenance of the community and the property depends on the continuous collaboration of the residents. All residents contribute to the maintenance of the shared areas and help prepare a meal once a month for the rest of the community. In addition, all decisions that affect the entire community are made by consensus. The architect today runs The Cohousing Company , an organization that believes in shared living as an essential element for a more sustainable society.


In addition to the economic advantages, this notion of community can help people who are new to a city to adjust more easily or who are looking to meet new people – which is why it ends up being very common in large cities. Living alone can be lonely, but living with other people ensures that you have contact with new and different things, in addition to the possibility of making friends and contacts.


2. Who are colivings for?


What is coliving? Who can live in a coliving?


Although it is more attractive to young people and recent graduates, coliving can be an alternative for everyone, including seniors. As mentioned above, the big difference between coliving and shared housing is the notion of community: the possibility of meeting new people and sharing a space.


Despite the stereotype that young people, students, recent graduates and the coolest people are the main users, coliving is actually a very democratic product. It is for all ages, tastes, needs and individualities. The great opportunity that coliving offers is the possibility of meeting new people – and this is universal, there is no specific age.


There are several coliving projects around the world and each one has its own admission rules, but in general people are brought together by their affinities and general needs – coliving is for everyone.


3. How does coliving work?

As it is an innovative initiative, there is no fixed operating model – each coliving operates in a different way, based on agreements that work well for everyone.


Coliving spaces can have different configurations: exclusively residential or integrated into a coworking space, installed in a house, an apartment, a floor or an entire building. In general, each resident has their own room with or without a bathroom and the other spaces (such as the living room, kitchen and leisure areas) are shared. The spaces are designed to favor both the individual and the collective: the idea is to make the spaces encourage coexistence, but also guarantee the privacy of each person.


Many colivings already include cleaning of common areas in their packages – but this is just one of the services that are usually offered: when closing the lease, it is also common for the company to have a package with the services and special features that are offered and that, eventually, may be needed by the resident. From internet and laundry, to a parking space, to spaces with furniture and decoration, ready to move in. All services are designed and offered on demand, so that each person has everything they need – and does not pay for anything they do not use.


In addition to the services, it is common for there to be activities that allow residents to interact, such as classes, a popcorn session, a meal... or even a happy hour to relax.


4. What about rent in coliving?

In general, coliving aims to simplify the rental process. Rental contracts tend to be more flexible and less bureaucratic, sometimes lasting weeks. The model is often called “subscription housing,” as it works in a very similar way to a subscription to a service: you pay for what you use, for how long you use it – and you can cancel at any time.


Typically, rent is arranged as a package: the rent amount, basic bills, and the services that the resident chooses to have. This makes it much easier to deal with the bureaucracy of renting a property. In addition, coliving spaces usually have a variety of accommodation options: from shared rooms, studios for one or two people, and large apartments – ensuring that there is an option that fits your budget.


5. Why share housing and live in a coliving?


People sharing and helping each other


Have you ever thought about the basic principles for shared housing? They are: collaboration, integration and sustainability.


Nowadays, it is recognized that sharing is not just about desire, but in many cases it has become a necessity. In coliving, consumption is also more conscious: many things are shared or reused, avoiding excess and waste. You not only save money, but also some basic expenses, by sharing with other residents.


Recently, this housing model has become increasingly popular, often as a result of strong real estate pressure in denser cities, as it is increasingly challenging to provide affordable housing for everyone. The concept is also in line with the strengthening of the sharing economy: if we share rides, clothes, bicycles... why not share our home? It's always good to have someone to talk to, to ask a favor, or even just to know that we don't always have to be alone.


Obviously it is very important that there are clear rules so that coexistence is harmonious, in this other text on the blog we have several tips for coexistence in colivings !

If you are still in doubt about whether coliving is a good option for you, considering the financial side, take a look at our text about how much it costs to live alone in São Paulo.


Summarizing the benefits of coliving:


1) More affordable housing:

Growing urbanization increases the demand for space and increases housing prices in large urban centers. Coliving appears as a solution to this issue.


2) Greater flexibility:

This model is especially interesting for young people who are seeking independence but want to have more flexibility – that is, they don’t want to be tied to a long-term contract.


3) Search for sharing not only space, but ideas:

Coliving is also closely related to another movement in the collaborative economy: coworking – a model of shared offices. In this sense, the idea of ​​sharing some common spaces in the home is very attractive for individuals with an observant spirit, who want to share ideas and knowledge in search of greater personal and professional development.


4) Lower environmental impact:

People are increasingly aware of the damage their consumption choices cause to the environment. By sharing housing, residents reduce their use of resources, causing a smaller environmental impact.


5) Community life:

Movements that promote a more communal lifestyle are a response to the isolation caused by modern life. Instead of living apart and alone, many people see shared housing as a way to have access to a lifestyle with more social interaction, with close neighbors/friends that they can count on in their daily lives.

Back to blog

Leave a comment

Please note, comments need to be approved before they are published.