What is Communal Living: A Complete Guide | Common
01 What is Communal Living?
WorkingFromHome_Gates

Communal living refers to a situation where a group of people live together, sharing space, land, and other amenities. It also involves the opportunity to meet new people from across the world and create connections and friendships. More often, people learn how to communicate with one another, resolve conflicts, and compromise by helping others.

These communal living spaces have become a norm in California and major cities, mostly due to limited space and land that lead to exorbitant home prices. Most people living in a city are now opting to rent private rooms and share other areas such as laundry, kitchen, and utilities. The communal housing approach has proven to be sustainable since it is extremely cheaper than renting an apartment, more so in major cities.

02 How does communal living work?
Broadway

Communal living always depends on the space of the common house, since this determines the number of subdivisions or accommodation units that can be obtained. There are, however, different forms of communal living spaces, as highlighted below.

03 Types of communal living spaces
Dining_Melrose
common blog
Urban communities

This is where, in a city, cohousing occurs in a condominium setting or within a row of townhouses. Some urban communal living spaces even have underground parking areas to save on space. Most others are located near transportation infrastructure, to ensure that residents can move about seamlessly without driving. In other cases, abandoned industrial sites are repurposed into communal living areas.

Suburban and rural communities

Out in the open country, communal living spaces tend to have more room. This is why it is common for such spaces to feature duplexes or single-family houses. The houses, however, tend to be clustered together to leave more land for other things like recreation and farming.

common blog
Suburban and rural communities

Out in the open country, communal living spaces tend to have more room. This is why it is common for such spaces to feature duplexes or single-family houses. The houses, however, tend to be clustered together to leave more land for other things like recreation and farming.

common blog
Mixed-use communities

This is where cohousing communities and businesses share the same space. It is common in urban areas where rental apartments, shops, offices, restaurants, and public courtyards are all bundled together.

Senior communities

While most cohousing communities accommodate people of all ages, there are some which are specifically designated for senior care. They offer elderly individuals opportunities to live independently while having close friends and neighbors for emotional, physical, and social support.

common blog
Senior communities

While most cohousing communities accommodate people of all ages, there are some which are specifically designated for senior care. They offer elderly individuals opportunities to live independently while having close friends and neighbors for emotional, physical, and social support.

04 What to look for in a communal living space
Kenmore_LivingArea

A communal living space typically has everything that you would find in a conventional home. This includes a living area, kitchen, toilet, laundry area, and private bedroom, among others. Some communal living spaces are, however, more comfortable to live in than others, as they may have bigger units or are better equipped.

The following are the things to consider in any cohousing space:

Attainability

With increased living expenses, what comes first before you settle on communal living space is cost. Therefore, the cheaper the communal living space, the better.

Unit space

Identify the unit space that fits your needs. For instance, when you are a single person , you only require a private unit for one as compared to a couple who will go for a larger unit. On the other hand, a couple with kids would even need more units due to the accommodation needs at hand.

Access to social services

Social services such as healthcare, schools, and shopping centers are very essential. Additionally, when you are relocating due to a job transfer, it is important to consider the distance between the communal living space and your office.

Utilities

Utilities such as water, electricity, technology, security, and garbage disposal are fundamental to consider before you settle in a communal living space. Therefore, you should always check with the service team and confirm their viability.
05 Benefits of communal living spaces
LivingRoom_Monroe
Communal living enables one to develop a sense of responsibility regarding their roles in the community.
Communal living teaches someone how to communicate well with others, respect and compromise selfish acts to accommodate the other people around.
Communal living brings people, friends, and family together. This enables you to make new friends in a new city. As a result, you fight feelings of loneliness, depression, and other mental health issues that are dangerous to your wellbeing.
Cohousing enables you to spend less on rent and other expenses. Since communal living involves sharing resources such as utility bills, you end up paying way less than when you rent individually.
Communal living relieves you from daily household chores pressures due to shared responsibilities among the group.
06 Disadvantages of communal living spaces
Wayland_Pool

The location you think you want to live in will control the rest of your search for an apartment listing. When narrowing down the selection of apartments in an area, it is important to keep in mind logistics, such as the distance to your job and public transportation. When narrowing down a neighborhood, you will also want to think about your proximity to the following:

Cohousing spaces can sometimes have loud music, late-night parties, and misuse of balconies, among other behaviors that can be disruptive . However, with any living situation, there are going to be similar disadvantages.
As a renter, you cannot make any changes to the design of your room. Any slight change to the air conditioning or railing on the balcony must be approved by the management.
In smaller buildings, limited elevator spaces make it a challenge to move your things, such as furniture, bedding, and electronics, to the upper rooms.
You don’t have any say about who to live with. Your roommates could end up being your best friends, or your personalities might clash.
07 Where to find communal living spaces
Roommates_Livingroom_Grand2

Whether you are moving to a new city or are at the average age to move out your parents’ house, most people love to live in urban communal living spaces in big cities such as:

In the US, Common is one of the companies that offer such communal living areas, including private bedrooms in fully-furnished coliving homes. These beautiful spaces have exceptional services, convenient amenities, and all-inclusive options. Coliving units are perfect for anyone looking to move to a new city, meet people, and get more from their rent.

08 How does rent work?
Cottage

Common’s rental rates vary from one city to the other and depend on the units rented out. The average cost is as follows in all cities;

Studio's rent ranges from $730-1498
Rent in a coliving suite ranges from $800-2500
Traditional apartment's rent ranges from $1050–3100

Rent for a private bedroom is all-inclusive of a furnished bedroom, suite, all household essentials, and laundry, Wi-Fi, utilities, cleaning services, central heat, and air conditioner.

On the other hand, a microunit or micro-studio is divided into a private bathroom, a sleeping loft, a living area, and a kitchen area. Rent is not all-inclusive as members pay for services such as laundry, Wi-Fi, utilities, and cleaning services.

The traditional apartments include studios, one, and two bedrooms that are not considered to be coliving spaces. Members pay for additional services, just as they would with a micro-unit.

09 Utilities offered by Common
Evergreen_Rooftop

Water and sewer

Common offers water and sewage services in every unit. The charges are added to the rent.

Electric and gas

The units have pre-installed electricity and gas which are included in the rent.

Trash and recycling

Common's housing units offer free trash and recycling included at every location. The trash and recyclables pickup is done on a weekly basis.

Security

Certain housing offers security but most housing comes with basic security of cameras, locks and keys.

Technology

Common offers entertainment services such as cable TV and an internet connection to the members. Coliving tenants pay all-inclusive rent, while traditional apartments and studio members pay for such services.
10 Join the Common Community
Group 1894
common blog
Common Centinela by Category

In the heart of Los Angeles sits this charming community. Get comfortable within its expansive campus, which features a rooftop, rec room, and courtyard, or opt to explore nearby restaurants, boutiques, and outdoor spaces like the eight-mile Ballona Creek Trail and Bike Park.

common blog
Common Owens

With a furnished backyard, shared lounge, and roof deck, Common Owens is an urban oasis within Brooklyn. Work from home in your all-inclusive coliving suite or hop on the subway to explore the area’s many cafes— Common Owens is located between entrances to the J and G train for convenient commuting.

common blog
Common at Broadridge

Common at Broadridge is a coliving space located in the Fairmont neighborhood of Philadelphia. In addition to retail spaces on the ground floor, Common at Broadridge makes living simple with an array of luxuries, including a poolside cabana lounge, private coworking pods, a movie theater, and pet-friendly staples like a dog run and washing center. Common at Broadridge also offers private, furnished studios!