What Every Family Should Know About Coliving

When you think about families, you probably think about a mom and a dad, two and a half kids, a dog, and a house in the suburbs. However, while that was almost definitely true for your parents’ and grandparents’ generations, that picture is very far from the reality for most people starting families today.

Cities are growing and creating more jobs, which in turns lures people from smaller towns and rural areas to move there. The influx of people often creates a greater demand for housing than can be supplied, resulting in a development boom and rising property prices. This means that very few young families can afford to buy a starter home big enough for a family, and instead have to rent small apartments at exorbitant rentals. Parents of young families with enough space in their backyards could consider building an ADU (accessory dwelling unit – you can check this site to find out more) on their property to provide a home for their child and their family until they are able to move on, and then rent the unit out to a paying tenant. The alternative for many, however, is to live far away from work, schools, and shops, which means that much of your week is wasted on long commutes.

Coliving Solves Many Modern Problems

The most common solution to expensive rentals in urban centers has long been to share accommodation. However, this is usually not an attractive option for families, because the lack of privacy, and possible intrusion in family life, is not desirable. Moreover, shared living is commonly considered a transitory phase for young people, until they can save up enough to live alone or buy a home.

Co-living is a different type of communal living that is rapidly changing how people perceive sharing their living space. It has its roots partly in the hippie communes of the 60s and 70s, where people with common ideals shared living space and resources. But at the same time it’s very far removed from the bright-eyed and naive optimism of that era. It’s more closely related to co-working, where freelancers can rent a desk or office in a facility where all the office amenities, such as fast internet, printers, coffee, et cetera, are provided and shared. Many firms like Urbanests are trying to make this co-living space accessible to individuals who are in dire need of accommodation.

These spaces typically provide rooms with either shared or private bathrooms, shared living rooms, kitchens, and all amenities for a flat monthly fee. Regular cleaning of rooms is also provided by co-living spaces so that people won’t face the trouble of looking for maid services. Co-living spaces tend to recognize the importance of maintaining a clean and hygienic environment for their residents. To ensure this, they often hire professionals (like these Red Deer commercial cleaners) that specialize in providing thorough and efficient cleaning solutions, guaranteeing a comfortable and well-maintained living space for all occupants.

The realities of living are changing, and therefore it stands to reason that modern families need to adapt to those changes accordingly. Coliving is no longer just a living experiment favored by a few maverick nomads. In cities where the concept has been around for long enough, there is already a shift happening from almost exclusively free-spirited younger people, to a more inclusive mix of folks from all walks of life. That’s because it’s a flexible way of living, which allows people to move to a new city with very little attachments, and slot into a community easily, without sacrificing comfort and mod-cons.

Is Coliving Right For My Family?

While it may sound like coliving is not the ideal kind of environment for raising children, the truth of the matter is that this will change pretty soon as more and more young families choose this kind of living over the more traditional kind. And of course, you know will most likely live with people who are flexible enough to welcome your kids.