Coworking and coliving are two terms that seem to be omnipresent these days in entrepreneurial circles. Both concepts are changing the future of living for freelancers, digital nomads, and startups, but what is the difference between coliving and coworking?
Advances in technology and barriers falling when it comes to working remotely have made it possible for more and more individuals to have productive careers without the constraints of a physical office. Everyone from designers to digital entrepreneurs can work from anywhere these days, enjoying an unprecedented balance between work and personal life.
What Is Coliving?
While the concept of coworking has gained lots of traction in the past decade, coliving is taking sharing your space with like-minded individuals a step further. Coliving essentially refers to the practice of sharing your entire living space with other remote workers to facilitate a flexible and collaborative work style.
Coliving means that each occupant has his or her own personal space, including a bedroom and bathroom, and access to shared public areas such as a living room or kitchen. But while this sounds very much like a flatshare, in order for the arrangement to qualify as coliving, the occupants also need to share a coworking space to enhance their productivity and work efficiency.
Coliving vs. Coworking
The main aim of a coworking space is to work, even though socializing also plays a role, but it’s not the main focus of the concept. In a coworking space, interactions with other people are limited, and at the end of the workday, everyone goes their separate ways. In many cases, weeks or even months may pass until you learn the names of your coworkers, and even more to establish meaningful relationships.
On the other hand, coliving is living and working with the same people, in a way that goes beyond the traditional flatshare arrangements. Your flatmates are not just people you see in the evening when you all get back from your jobs outside the home. Instead, everyone gets to work from home, but at the same time, everyone gets to do other things with their coworkers/coliving mates.
Who Is Coliving For?
Dismissed by some as a fad for millennials, coliving is much more than that. It is estimated that approximately one-third of the interest this concept receives worldwide is from non-millennials. This is a way of life that appeals not just to 20 and 30-something digital nomads, but also to people in their 50s or 60s who decide it’s time for a change in their life, and even for retiring baby boomers who see coliving as a way to continue their personal independence.
Because it offers a mix of social interaction and the potential to forge meaningful relationships while allowing you to remain productive every day, coliving has the potential to appeal to any age group. If you’re someone flexible who makes a living working remotely and has a desire to experience more of the world in the company of likeminded people, coliving could be a perfect choice for you.
Is Coliving the Future of Work?
In a world where distances and boundaries tend to disappear at a quick rate, many argue that coliving is indeed the future of work. Individuals looking for a way of living that allows them flexibility and a sense of clarity at the same time are certainly drawn by this concept. When you join the coliving movement, you get to experience all aspects of life with like-minded individuals, not just the working hours.
Coliving has become a popular choice for those looking for a change in their life, whether looking for new job opportunities, transitioning to new business fields, or working on side projects. Even though it’s still the new kid on the block, coliving is already redefining physical space as the traditional notions of public and private are changing.
How to Find Coliving Spaces Around the World?
The good news for those who want to give the coliving way of life a chance is that there are numerous spaces in cities all around the world. These spaces generally work in a similar way to Airbnb, meaning that there’s a lot of flexibility involved when it comes to the terms of renting. Moreover, what sets coliving spaces apart from traditional hotels and Airbnb is that they generally come with many features and services, ranging from yoga spaces to cinemas and surf camps.
Some of the most popular coliving spaces include Outsite, Selina, and Sun and Co. Each of these places are designed to enhance your life as a digital nomad.
Outsite was founded in 2015 by Emmanuel Guisset and currently has no less than 18 locations worldwide, including Costa Rica and Lisbon. All the spaces are designed with comfort and productivity in mind, and you can enjoy both a cozy, private space of your own and common areas to socialize with other digital nomads.
Selina has locations on all continents, ranging from Argentina to Greece, and provides digital nomads with the opportunity to work abroad indefinitely and stay in beautiful places. There are 60 worldwide destinations available, and there are options available for all budgets. Selina also offers wellness and content services, including music summits and local adventures.
If life on the Mediterranean coast sounds appealing, Sun and Co. is a good option. This coliving space is situated in Javea, Spain, and is the perfect place to enjoy a warm climate while being part of a vibrant community of digital nomads. Coliving and coworking spaces allow remote workers to manage their careers and personal lives effortlessly. Being part of an organized community removes a lot of the hassle of trying to make it on your own as a remote worker, while also offering you an unprecedented level of flexibility. As the line between working and living continues to blur, this lifestyle might become even more popular in the years to come.
Take a look through our online platform for Coliving Spaces we list many of the different coliving homes around the world.
