Sharing is Caring

In an age where the price to own or rent a home is high, people are looking for ways to keep costs down. One way is by foregoing privacy and living with others. This is nothing new — people have been living with roommates for years — but the increased demand for something cheaper has led to some creative solutions. In areas where room availability is scarce and cost is high, roommates are commonplace. However, a new model of shared housing is trending.

Cohousing (n.) A living arrangement that combines either private or semi-private sleeping quarters with shared kitchen, dining, living and amenity spaces.

What do these new co-housing communities look like?
There are different flavors to the cohousing model. One type, used by the group Podshare in Los Angeles and San Francisco, provides rooms with multiple private bunks or “Pods”. These bunks have spaces to store belongings or upgrades such as TVs. Amenities such as kitchens, bathrooms and living spaces are shared by the community. Other arrangements focus on the creative community, featuring collaborative spaces, recording studios, art rooms and more!

Another trending option such as The Treehouse in Los Angeles, offers private rooms that can be shared with a friend or a spouse, while providing the amenities/essentials in communal areas. The rooms come fully furnished with trendy contemporary décor, making these accommodations quite “instagrammable”.

So, who is on-trend?
My brother is! Working in the cruise industry, my brother has traveled all over the world and lived in a variety of housing situations – from dorm rooms to apartments, cruise ship cabins to cohousing pods.

How would you describe your experience?
“It was wild! I was used to living in tight quarters, but this was a whole new experience. The way it worked was by using “pods” three side-by-side, then three stacked on top. There was plenty of storage space, great facilities including a gym, self-tape room, movie theater, performance space, and a recording studio. It was designed for artists.”

Would you recommend people to live in the cohousing environment?
“If you are traveling or a minimalist, then it is ideal because there is no contract or lease and personal space can be limited. I would recommend it for that type of person. But for long term living or those with a lot of stuff, it might be difficult. Fridge space is scarce, and roommates can be luck of the draw which means potential personality clashes. But in reality, that can happen in any living condition.”

Why are people choosing cohousing?

The most common reason is affordability. Cohousing rents are lower than a traditional apartment and in most cases, residents aren’t tied down to a lease, making it ideal for those that move frequently or are looking for temporary housing. Another reason is to live in a community with like-minded people. Some places have an interview process to build a specific culture amongst residents while others offer specific amenities such as a recording studio, that  appeal to similar personalities and focuses.

The concept of shared housing is always changing and will evolve to fit market needs. I think co-housing is not for everyone, but for others it fits perfectly and might just be what we need right now.