Co-Living vs Communal Living

Similarities & differences...

This winter I had the privilege of dabbling in both co-living and communal living.

Although some would consider these the same or similar, I’d suggest there are a few key differences…

• Target Audience: Co-living is often geared towards young professionals, students, and digital nomads in slightly more urban areas, while communal living can cater to a wider range of demographics and is often found in both urban and rural settings.

• Ownership and Management: Co-living spaces are typically owned by external companies, while communal living spaces are often managed by an individual or the residents themselves.

• Lease Terms: Co-living spaces often offer flexible dates, making it easier for residents to move in and out, while communal living arrangements may have more long-term commitments.

• Privacy: Co-living typically offers more private living quarters with shared amenities, while communal living often involves more shared living spaces and potentially less personal privacy.

• Community Focus: Co-living is designed to foster a sense of community through structured events and shared spaces, whereas communal living often involves deeper levels of cooperation and collective decision-making.

In my experience, both models offer the potential benefits of social interaction, adventure, support, affordability, reliable internet access, etc…and the choice between them depends on individual preferences and lifestyle.

I had the pleasure of spending 2 weeks at Outsite’s co-living space in Bali, then a month of communal living with We Find Your Tribe in Colombia. Each fulfilled different needs for me during my most recent travels.

As I made my way around the globe, I found myself with some “free time” between my pre-scheduled plans in December. As a solo traveller, I wanted to go somewhere new, but wanted to have a community to plug into. I also needed my accommodation to be suitable for remote work. I chose the Bali co-living house for several reasons:

• It was “on my way” from Cambodia to New Zealand.

• It had availability on the dates I was looking for and was in my budget.

• It had a private bedroom and work area with high quality wifi.

• It’s community manager had great reviews for their event planning & communication (shoutout to Nova).

• And I mean, come on…it’s Bali, why not?!

I’m super grateful to have had a wonderful first experience with co-living. It gave me more privacy and support than a hostel, while still feeling easy to connect with people. It was a nice mix of professional, peaceful and fun. No one bugged you, but there was always someone to hang out with. I was able to get my work done, go on solo adventures, but also get recommendations from those who had been in the area longer or show new arrivals what I had learned during my stay. Outsite’s focus on digital nomads, as well as flexibility of locations and dates were a perfect fit for that time period.

When my calendar opened up next for another international pit stop, I recognized that my priorities had shifted. I didn’t want to repeat the same “traveller” small talk conversation on a daily basis; I knew I wanted to focus on relationship building. I felt drawn toward getting to know people (and places) more in depth over time. I was also on the look out for opportunities to connect with others in the LGBTQ+ community.

Thankfully, I had come across Beau’s Instagram earlier last year and had been following his exploration of communal living from afar. Amazingly, one of his queer community houses happened to line up with my schedule.

I wasn’t 100% confident right away about committing to living with a bunch of strangers for a month - it was a less established organization, it was slightly more expensive, it wasn’t exactly on the way to my next stop - but I stayed curious about the pull I felt toward it.

After getting a few more reviews, assessing my budget and checking on travel logistics, I leaned into the growing excitement I felt about finally visiting South America, the guarantee of expanding my queer community and the opportunity to spend time with other people who valued authenticity, inclusivity, connection & personal growth.

This led me to spend mid-Feb to mid-March in Medellin, Colombia with 7 other wonderful humans from across the world. We were all there for different reasons, but came together to curate an experience that met each of our needs. As I shared in my testimonial, from the pre-trip meeting online to the arrival dinner to our weekly house meetings, the vibe was warm and welcoming :)

I loved getting to grow with my roommates, hear their stories, learn from their backgrounds and go through day to day life with them. We worked and played, laughed and cried, cooked and cleaned, spent quiet nights in and adventurous days out. The fact that it was catered to LGBTQ+ folks & allies was the cherry on top - that piece added an element of safety, depth, comfort and fun that isn’t present in many situations. It was beautiful and I look forward to doing it again sometime!

I’m back in my home base now, catching up on quality time with family & friends here, happily re-acquainting myself with the local community and re-establishing some roots.

While I’m thoroughly enjoying having my own space and appreciate not living out of a suitcase, intentional community (and adventure) is still a high priority for me. That may take on different forms…like engaging in local clubs & organizations I care about, joining a co-working membership, visiting another co-living house or participating in another communal living setting. I like that each of these opportunities - at home or abroad - provide the chance for connection, learning & joy (my core values).

How are you carving out time and space for activities that align with your core values?

What experience or interest have you had with any form of community living?

Live different. Lead different.

Sincerely,

Clare