Differences between coliving and flat sharing, all you need to know

In an ever-changing world where people are looking for a place to live that fits their lifestyle, alternative housing models -such as coliving and flat sharing– are becoming increasingly attractive.

When it comes to coliving, it is a global housing trend that has gained popularity in big cities as an affordable way to live, especially for students, workers, digital nomads or people on the move. 

But how does it differ from flat sharing? Are there differences in terms of benefits and prices? Let ‘s find out!

What is the meaning of coliving?

If you’ve ever wondered whether coliving is right for you and if it would fit your lifestyle, here’s what you need to know.

In simple terms, a coliving is a space rented by people who share common spaces, like a dining and living room, but who have their own lease and their own room with its private bathroom.

This is a very interesting alternative because it moves away from the ideal of living in an independent apartment where you don’t even know your neighbors. With coliving, priority is given to the shared experience and the feeling of community. 

This lifestyle is a way to meet like-minded people, which is also an opportunity for personal and professional development, such as networking or joining a common project. 

What are the benefits of coliving?

Some of the main benefits you can find in coliving spaces are:

• Affordability: This is one of the greatest benefits of coliving. When it comes to living in the center of a city, it is usually significantly cheaper than renting a flat on your own.
• Community: Moving to a new city can be very difficult and even uncomfortable, but meeting new people at your own home and possibly getting a new group of friends will make it a very attractive and beneficial idea.
• Longtime friendships: If you already have a pre-established group of friends who share the same lifestyle, a shared flat could be the way to deepen your friendship.
• Private spaces: Your room is your own, and having a private bathroom means you’ll never have to queue to get in.
• Features: Coliving spaces also include heating and air conditioning, as well as free Wi-Fi. Some properties offer on-site maintenance in case something needs to be fixed in the room.
• Amenities: These types of spaces are well-designed to cater to the number of people they house with the right number of amenities to accommodate them.

Did you know that you can have access to common living rooms, dining rooms, movie theaters, rooftop terraces, garden areas, game rooms, gyms, spas and laundry facilities? Sometimes even a weekly cleaning service is included!

What are the differences between Coliving and Flat-Sharing?

There are obvious similarities between coliving and flat sharing. Both involve renting a private room in some form of shared accommodation, with common recreational spaces such as kitchens, living rooms, outdoor areas.

However, there are several differences between the two that may interest you if you are looking for reasons to stay in a coliving space or shared apartment. Let’s see what they are:

Amenities

Coliving offers a wide range of amenities that are already included in the rent, whereas in shared housing, the rent only pays for the roof.

Space

Because of the many common spaces, coliving is usually more spacious than a traditional apartment or house, although you will probably share it with more people.

Flexibility

Flat sharing requires the signing of a rental contract of at least one year, while coliving has much more flexible rental durations.

Residents

People who have been in college for a couple of years already choose to live in shared housing, while international students, working professionals or commuters choose coliving.

Location

Coliving spaces are often ideally located in the city center, with easy access to transportation and popular sites. Shared housing, especially traditional housing, tends to be located on the outskirts of the city.

It is almost inevitable that society will evolve towards more integrated and communitarian ways of living and relating to others. In short, we are hopefully heading to a more connected society. 

Now that you know the main differences between a coliving space and a flat sharing, you can proceed to make an informed decision. Just remember that, whichever one you choose, it should have all the amenities you might need. 

Here is a list of the best co-living spaces available for you to book and start your new adventure.
If you want to know more about living conditions anywhere on the planet, you can visit us at Wooda and see all the options we have to share with you.