Coliving spaces have existed in one form or another for a long time. However, it wasn’t until digital nomadism emerged that this uniquely modern way of living really shot into the spotlight. Granted, coliving is one of many accommodation options available to you as a digital nomad. You can benefit a thing or two from understanding the inherent synergy between remote work and coliving spaces.
Knowing how these two elements integrate can help you broaden your options as a remote worker.
This article discusses everything you need to know about the shared living space concept and how to make the most of coliving and coworking.
- What Are Coliving Spaces In Remote Work?
- Impact On Work Culture
- Why Some Prefer Coliving Spaces Over Cafes
- Why Coliving and Coworking Might Be For You
- What To Remember Before Booking A Coliving Space
- The Most Popular Types of Coliving Remote Work Spaces
- Top Factors For The Best Remote Work and Coliving Spaces
- Live And Work With Ease
- Popular Questions About Remote Work And Coliving Spaces
- Are There Any Real Benefits To Staying In A Shared Living Space?
- Can Coliving And Coworking Truly Cater To My Needs?
- What Are The Most Common Types of Coliving Spaces?
- Is Coliving The Same As Traditional Remote Work Living?
- What's The Fastest Way To Find The Best Coliving Spaces In The World?
- Are There Any Disadvantages To Remote Work and Coliving Spaces?
What Are Coliving Spaces In Remote Work?
In a nutshell, “coliving” refers to a style of accommodation where remote work groups come together and stay in a shared living space. The shared living space could be an apartment or even a house.
Coliving communities for digital nomads serves various purposes. However, most importantly, it helps foster a sense of companionship and camaraderie between the remote work groups.
Typically, residents in this shared living space will pull resources together, prompting individuals to get closer. In the same vein, it helps digital nomads spend less, and it can even do a lot to increase the quality of life in the community.
Combining these elements makes even an Arctic coworking lodge feel like home to many.
Impact On Work Culture
Most coliving spaces typically offer shared working spaces as well. For digital nomads who intend to take advantage of that resource, you can expect coliving to have an even more profound effect on their professional identity.
Essentially, coliving and coworking in this manner offers several payoffs.
The average coliving space usually consists of remote work groups with different cultures and backgrounds. Experience levels will also cut across a broad spectrum as well.
On the whole, these elements are likely to have a profoundly positive influence on your work culture, pushing you to achieve more and increase your productivity.
For another, the best coliving spaces in the world also afford you a shared working space that fosters interaction between the residents working together. Many opportunities for collaboration and mutual growth have been realized through this.
Ultimately, coliving spaces have a well-established beneficial effect on residents where work culture is concerned. You can grow your network, make valuable professional connections, and prime yourself for optimal personal and professional growth.
Additionally, incorporating a shared living space into your digital nomad lifestyle can encourage increased creativity and enhanced emotional intelligence.
Why Some Prefer Coliving Spaces Over Cafes
Cafes have been, for the most part, the unofficial work ground of the digital nomad. This is because, even though these spaces will have different configurations depending on where you visit, they all usually have three things in common. These are ample power outlets, a fast and reliable Internet connection, and (of course!) a good cup of coffee.
As such, even new nomads tend to automatically gravitate towards this option, given the chance.
However, coliving spaces are slowly replacing cafes, at least for many new digital nomads.
One reason might be that operating in cafes often comes with safety concerns, a distinct lack of privacy, and many noise distractions.
However, a potentially more significant reason for this switch is that coliving spaces offer you all the perks of the former (plus extra) with none of its limitations. First, you’re considerably freer when coliving and coworking in tandem. Also, you get to work from a place exclusively optimized for your comfort.
And it also helps you get tons of networking opportunities when you work from your coliving space.
All this and more make coliving communities the better option for digital nomads.
Why Coliving and Coworking Might Be For You
Many people (myself included!) are clamoring that pairing remote work and coliving spaces is one of the best ways to experience the digital nomad lifestyle. And that’s fine.
However, is finding the best coliving spaces in the world worth it for YOU?
The truth is, you’ll never really know until you give it a shot.
That said, at least on paper, several strong cases can be made for this way of living. Some of these include:
Coliving May Be A More Practical Option
In choosing the ideal work environment and setting for you, much cognizance must be paid to each option available. However, just as important here are your proclivities.
Because only a few professionals can perform optimally under all working conditions. For the rest of us, work output and productivity are influenced to a greater or lesser degree by the quality and characteristics of our immediate work environment.
This is why people who focus heavily on ambient noise when they work and/or extra services at their fingertips will be more partial to the café setting.
However, if you prefer having ready access to a broad range of utilities and amenities and want to ensure that you’re surrounded by like-minded professionals, coliving and coworking from a shared living space is arguably the most practical option for you.
Foster A Much-Needed Sense Of Community And Belonging
If you aren’t already aware, please know that loneliness and isolation are two of the biggest threats to remote work today. The digital nomad lifestyle makes a person even more susceptible to these dangers.
Just think about it; you spend up to a few months (max) in one location before you’re off to the next destination on your list. How long will it take before the day-in-day-out solitude gets to you?
However, when you operate a coliving remote work paradigm, you’re surrounded round the clock by other professionals who are in the same shoes and have the same vulnerabilities you do
The first thing you get from this deal is that you’ll never be alone. Second, you’ll always have many willing companions at your beck and call. Through this, coliving communities for digital nomads have become invaluable for ensuring you always have a place you belong, no matter where you might be.
Cost-Effective Way Of Living
Did you know that the average millennial spends roughly 45% of their total pay on rent alone? Managing such a financial burden independently is enough to take a significant toll on most people.
Living in a shared living space can significantly alleviate that burden.
As you would share much of the expenses with other in-house tenants, the financial implications of accommodating and catering to utility bills will be significantly less pronounced.
Of course, the cost of coliving and coworking increases exponentially when you leverage this service through established organizations. However, even that is still less expensive than sourcing all those resources from scratch.
What To Remember Before Booking A Coliving Space
Remote work and coliving spaces go hand-in-hand, but this alone doesn’t mean you can just employ this measure willy-nilly.
On the contrary, there are a couple of things that you would do well to leverage before you even consider delving into this space. Two of the most essential items to keep in mind along these lines are:
Try Out The Desk Before Subscribing To Long-Term Membership
This measure is more specifically applicable when securing a coliving space from organizations and corporations.
For various reasons, you must visit the physical location of any brand you plan to secure this resource. To start with, leaning exclusively on the information from their website, for example, puts you at the risk of operating on outdated information.
In the same vein, there’s also the possibility that the services, features, and utilities they claim to offer are wildly exaggerated or even non-existent!
Visiting the front desk can do much to tell you what to expect from the coliving service provider. It offers a lot of critical insight that can better inform your decision on whether or not to make a long-term commitment.
When you have certified that all is as it should be, you should also check out the working space provided.
How does it feel to live with many tenants in one space?
Is there a trial or lockdown period for the lease?
Do you have enough rooms?
Do amenities like the Internet quality and speed match your needs? Additional costs or comes with the room?
These are some questions to seriously ponder before signing on the dotted line.
Because I fully understand the impact of coliving and coworking on my quality of life and work output, I don’t kid around when making decisions here. One app I rely on heavily to help me find the best coliving spaces in the world is Coworker.
Other great tools you can use as well include:
Location Is The Prime Factor
The location of the coliving space itself is also another vital consideration. As with all things real estate, where the property you’ll be living on is situated matters a lot.
You need to know whether that location accommodates remote workgroups, has sufficient attractions around it, and if the overall vibe of the area matches your energy.
On many levels, this particular variable is especially easy to overlook. However, you must not underestimate its importance, as your entire nomadic experience might depend on it.
The Most Popular Types of Coliving Remote Work Spaces
The digital nomad lifestyle itself is remarkably fluid. So, it stands to reason that the elements that cater to it are flexible and adaptable. This is why coliving remote work offers so many different and attractive options.
The most popular ones are:
1 – The Traditional Coliving House-Share Option
This is the most utilized shared living space option among digital nomads. It’s a super-convenient model of operation that’s great for saving costs.
How it works is simple: One digital nomad gets the place and acquires the lease. This person can then use their discretion to sublet (and share the property) with their fellow nomads.
In this setting, only a few people make up the unit, and everything from utility bills to the cost of repairs is uniformly divided among the residents.
2 – The Adult Dormitory Option
This approach to remote work and coliving spaces is designed to resemble college hostels. So, the first thing you need to know is that it typically caters to many professionals.
Here, the digital nomads usually have independent small rooms. But, these rooms need to be equipped with kitchens or dining rooms and, in many cases, even bathrooms. Instead, those amenities are set up to central shared facilities.
It’s generally considered one of the best coliving spaces in the world due to its meager costs and the ease with which it facilitates productive coliving communities for digital nomads.
3 – The Coliving Urban Apartment Option
This is arguably the best shared living space option for young digital nomads who want to always have access to urban settings and amenities but want to save money!
This coliving arrangement is facilitated by huge companies with similar structures worldwide.
Although this living option caters to a large group of people, the standard of living is considered higher compared to adult dormitories. This is because coliving urban apartments feature bigger bedrooms that come en suite with bathrooms and other essentials.
You still get to have a strong sense of community here, but at the same time, you don’t lose your space.
4 – The Multi-Generational Co-Housing Option
This unique style of coliving and coworking traces its origins back to Denmark in the 1960s.
Here, digital nomads have their homes distributed in a house so that every unit shares the facilities and the responsibility for keeping things running. The multi-generational co-housing option has a homey feeling, as you can get shared gardens here!
5 – The Coliving Co-Op Option
More formally known as the coliving cooperative housing option, this accommodation style operates a democratic system to function. This means that professionals in the house come together and decide by voting who does what.
Every resident is equally involved in the decision-making process, and they all take turns performing chores like cleaning, maintenance, and even cooking. There are usually up to a hundred digital nomads in these accommodations.
6 – The Coliving Commune Option
This is one of the most selective coliving options for digital nomads. This is because there is usually intent and purpose in play.
For example, you can only live in this type of setting if you follow a similar inclination to other residents concerning politics, religion, and lifestyle.
This type of living option is more commonly found in rural regions.
7 – The Coliving Quarters Option
Finally, we have another popular hit with professionals today, the coliving quarters’ option.
This shared living space option affords you the best coliving and coworking. So, in addition to providing top-notch sleeping quarters, digital nomads will also have access to high-speed Internet and a dedicated workspace.
Typically, the quality of experience with this living option heavily depends on how much you’re willing to spend.
Leases can span anywhere from a few weeks up to 3 months. So, you can leverage this option whether you prefer fast or slow travel.
Top Factors For The Best Remote Work and Coliving Spaces
Before you decide to opt for the Arctic coworking lodge or the Greek Escape in Chania, there are a couple of big questions you’ve got to ask yourself. Trust me, the last thing you want is to pick a coliving space, get there, and have an awful time of the experience. I’ve been there, and it isn’t pretty.
The biggest things to consider before you choose any one location are:
The Capacity Of The Coliving Space
The first and most important thing you need to find out about where you’ll be living and coworking is the capacity of the residence, especially relative to the number of people staying there.
I recommend the largest shared living space for people who want a strong sense of community. They usually offer the most active and immersive coliving communities for digital nomads.
But if you like your space, you may want a spot with fewer people, which makes it easier to give people a wide berth whenever needed.
The Lease Options Available To You
The next thing to note is the length of the lease option available to you.
I view lease options considering whether I’m fast or slow traveling. If I’m in a location where I plan to stay for a while, I prioritize finding a place with extended lease options. The reverse is the case if I’m planning to avoid hanging around for too long.
The Available Facilities And Amenities
Remember that you’re a digital nomad, not a hermit!
This means that if you are staying in a coliving space, the availability and quality of specific amenities must be granted. Naturally, how high you set the bar here will be strongly influenced by your concept of comfort.
Here, it helps to list the resources most important to you first. Then, you should look for a space that meets those criteria.
The Type Of Community They Offer
Every professional experiences the digital nomad lifestyle a little differently. This is entirely natural. It is why some people may start to feel lonely and restless after only a few months on the road, while others will spend several years traveling non-stop and not feel even the slightest bit bored.
All of this is to say that we all feel the need for community to varying degrees. Some people need it as a necessity, while others are grateful for it but can readily do without it.
Which are you?
Take the time to find out and then look for a shared living space that’ll easily complement that.
Your Style Of Remote Work
The remote work and coliving spaces combo only yields the best results when your picks perfectly align with how you work.
How well do you perform in remote work groups?
Does having people in proximity to you while you work cause distractions?
Are there any specific resources that need to always be on hand when you work?
Are they readily available in the coliving space you’re considering?
These are only a few critical questions you must answer to ensure you don’t get your coliving remote work choice wrong.
Live And Work With Ease
The combination of remote work and coliving spaces is becoming all the rave among new digital nomads. And, in truth, it’s easy to see why. Used right, the best coliving spaces in the world ensure you never have to worry about accommodation expenses, even in cost-prohibitive cities!
With the different coliving and coworking options available, you won’t have to sacrifice anything essential to you to leverage this resource.
Make sure that any shared living space you go for meets your standards from the get-go, and you’ll have a grand experience there!
Explore the digital nomad lifestyle even more here!
Popular Questions About Remote Work And Coliving Spaces
Are There Any Real Benefits To Staying In A Shared Living Space?
Yes, there are several benefits to staying in a shared living space. A few of these include that doing so offers you more flexibility lease-wise, provides unfettered access to a large community of like-minded remote workers, and affords you fertile ground for networking and professional growth.
Can Coliving And Coworking Truly Cater To My Needs?
Yes, coliving and coworking can truly cater to your needs. As a digital nomad, living in shared working spaces ensures you can always get a roof over your head, no matter where you are.
Additionally, for those who prefer a more austere ambiance when they work, these living quarters deliver for them consistently. Naturally, this has a beneficial effect not just on the work process but also on output.
What Are The Most Common Types of Coliving Spaces?
Right now, the most common type of coliving space is the traditional coliving house-share option. It’s closely followed by the coliving quarters option. However, the coliving co-op option is becoming popular these days.
Is Coliving The Same As Traditional Remote Work Living?
No, coliving is not the same as traditional remote work living. The biggest difference between these two styles of accommodation is that you fundamentally have to share space (at least in some capacity) with the former, while this may be optional with the latter.
What’s The Fastest Way To Find The Best Coliving Spaces In The World?
The fastest way to find the best coliving spaces in the world is by leveraging specific apps and platforms. These platforms and apps include Coworker, Croissant, myHQ, and OUTSITE.
Are There Any Disadvantages To Remote Work and Coliving Spaces?
Yes, there are a few disadvantages to remote work and coliving spaces. The biggest of these is that it doesn’t offer complete privacy to those who need it. Also, you’ll usually have to share amenities like kitchens and recreational areas. This can challenge people who need help to readily adapt to such conditions.
