In an increasingly digital age, the concept of work and home has fundamentally changed. According to MBO Partners, a growing sector of the population is choosing a life unfettered by geographic constraints—these are the digital nomads.
These individuals harness the power of technology to work remotely, liberating themselves from traditional workspaces and embracing the freedom to travel the globe.
Parallel to this shift, a new form of living arrangement has taken root: coliving. Coliving provides a shared housing environment where individuals, often strangers initially, reside together, splitting costs and sharing communal living spaces. These communities offer more than just shared accommodation and coworking spaces; they serve as hubs for social interaction, collaboration, and mutual support.
This blog post delves into the intersection of these two modern trends, providing an in-depth look at the synergy between the digital nomad lifestyle and coliving. We’ll explore how coliving benefits digital nomads, addressing common challenges they face and enhancing the many joys of their chosen lifestyle.
Join us as we unpack the seven core benefits of coliving for digital nomads, from affordability to networking and business opportunities, flexibility, shared resources, increased productivity, cultural exchange, and enhanced security.
The Rise of Digital Nomadism
The digital nomad lifestyle is an embodiment of a modern, technology-fueled era. Digital nomads leverage technology to work remotely, often from foreign countries, coworking spaces, coffee shops, public libraries, or recreational vehicles. The term “nomad” signifies their mobility, as traditional office spaces do not bind them and they often travel, moving from one location to another.
Digital nomadism has risen in popularity over the last decade, with more people seeking location independence and the freedom to travel while working remotely. Studies show there are now over 35 million digital nomads worldwide. Cities like Lisbon, Bali, and Mexico City have emerged as digital nomad hotspots, attracting remote workers from around the globe. These urban hubs offer good infrastructure, fast internet, and vibrant communities for digital nomads.
Digital nomadism provides several advantages, such as freedom, flexibility, and the ability to travel and explore new cultures while working. It’s an appealing choice for those yearning to break free from the constraints of a 9-to-5 job and a fixed location. Yet, this lifestyle has its challenges too. These range from finding reliable Wi-Fi and working across different time zones to needing a stable community due to constant movement of remote workers. Moreover, securing comfortable and affordable accommodation can also challenge many digital nomads.
This is where coliving steps in, offering solutions to these challenges.
The Emergence of Coliving
Coliving is a modern version of traditional communal living that has emerged due to societal and economic changes. It can be described as a modern living arrangement emphasizing shared housing, communal spaces, and community among residents. Over the last decade, the appeal and adoption of coliving have skyrocketed, particularly among millennials and digital nomads. Urbanization, rising housing costs, and the rise of the gig economy have all contributed to coliving growth. But it’s not just these factors driving the trend.
Coliving is more than a practical solution; it’s a lifestyle choice aligned with a shift towards shared economies and experiences.
For digital nomads, living in a coliving space offers unique benefits, making it an ideal housing and living option. It provides the flexibility that living a nomadic lifestyle requires, combined with the stability of living in a fixed residence and the camaraderie of living in a shared living environment with community members.
7 Key Benefits of Coliving for Digital Nomads
Having access to affordable housing is an ideal way of improving a person’s quality of life and promoting healthy lifestyle. Here are some of the top benefits of coliving:
1. Affordable living
Traditional housing options in major cities often involve hefty deposits, long-term commitments, and additional utilities, internet, and furnishings costs. Similarly, staying at hotels or serviced apartments for extended periods can be prohibitively expensive.
Coliving, on the other hand, offers an economical solution. It involves sharing the cost of living spaces, utilities, and often amenities, making it a more wallet-friendly option. Most coliving spaces come fully furnished and include utilities and Wi-Fi in the monthly rent, eliminating the need to save money for up front costs, expenses like cleaning services, buying home appliances and kitchen supplies.
For instance, a digital nomad living in a coliving space in Lisbon might pay a single fee for a bedroom, shared kitchen and living spaces, Wi-Fi, and basic utility bills. The savings can be significant compared to the cost of renting a more private apartment and paying for all these separately. Moreover, because coliving contracts are more flexible than traditional rental agreements, digital nomads can avoid being tied down by long-term financial commitments.
This affordability and flexibility make coliving an attractive option for digital nomads, allowing them to allocate more resources to travel and experiences rather than accommodation costs.
2. Networking and Community Building
Digital nomads often lead solitary work lives, especially when moving frequently between locations. This can lead to feelings of isolation and disconnection.
Coliving solves this problem, fostering a sense of belonging and offering a communal space with opportunities for social interaction and professional growth. Living in a shared environment with like-minded individuals, often from various professional backgrounds and cultures, opens up networking opportunities. These interactions can lead to valuable collaborations, knowledge exchange, and even the creation of new business ventures. For example, a digital nomad working in the tech sector might share a coliving space with a marketing specialist, an artist, or an entrepreneur, providing the opportunity for mutual learning and collaboration.
In addition to professional networking, coliving helps build a sense of community. Shared meals, community events, and everyday interactions contribute to a communal atmosphere that can make a foreign place feel like home. This community building aspect is particularly valuable for digital nomads who spend much of their time on the move, offering stability and companionship amidst their nomadic lifestyle.
3. Greater Flexibility
Digital nomads are characterized by their fluid, flexible lifestyle. They require affordable housing solutions that adapt to their needs, and coliving provides just that. With coliving, digital nomads can enjoy greater flexibility than traditional housing options.
Unlike standard rental contracts that often require a commitment of a long term lease of six months to a year, coliving arrangements usually offer shorter, more adaptable terms. Some coliving spaces even allow for month-to-month contracts or shorter stays. This flexibility enables digital nomads to move in and out relatively easily, aligning with their itinerant way of life. Furthermore, coliving spaces are usually well equipped for remote work, with high-speed internet and dedicated coworking spaces. This means digital nomads can comfortably work from their immediate living environment, adding another layer of convenience and flexibility.
For digital nomads, this flexibility isn’t just a luxury; it’s a necessity. The ability to adjust their living arrangements to fit their work and travel plans gives them the freedom to live their nomadic lifestyle to its fullest. With coliving, they can have a home base without being tied down, combining the best of both worlds.
4. Shared Resources and Amenities
Beyond providing a place to sleep and work, many coliving spaces offer a range of shared resources and amenities that can significantly enhance the living experience for remote workers. These amenities, typically included in the cost, can add value to a digital nomad’s life.
Coliving spaces often have fully furnished common areas such as kitchens, lounges, meeting rooms, and sometimes gyms and pools. This saves residents from the cost and hassle of buying furniture and furnishing a private space themselves and provides opportunities for socializing and relaxation.
Shared resources often extend beyond physical amenities. Many coliving spaces host community events, workshops, and social gatherings, which can be great for networking, knowledge sharing, learning, and entertainment. Dedicated coworking spaces within the coliving facilities can be a massive bonus for digital nomads working remotely. Access to desk space, reliable high-speed internet, printers, and other office-like facilities, can make working from home more productive and enjoyable. These shared resources and amenities can make coliving a more attractive, practical, and fun option for digital nomads, further enhancing their overall experience.
5. Increased Productivity
One of the less obvious but equally significant benefits of a coliving space for digital nomads is its potential productivity boost. The structure and environment of a coliving space can contribute to creating a more focused and efficient work life. Working from home or a cafe can often come with its own set of distractions. On the other hand, many coliving spaces offer quiet, dedicated coworking spaces designed to encourage concentration and productivity. Sharing a living space with other working professionals also creates a focused atmosphere that can motivate residents to stay disciplined.
Additionally, living and working in the same place eliminates commuting time, freeing up more hours for work or leisure. The flexibility to set your schedule without the constraints of traditional office hours further adds to the potential for increased productivity. For digital nomads, this increased productivity can lead to a better work-life balance, more successful work outcomes, and a more satisfying nomadic lifestyle.
6. Cultural Exchange and Learning
The cultural exchanges in a coliving community add an enriching dimension to the whole digital nomad lifestyle. As coliving communities attract people from diverse backgrounds and countries, they become melting pots of different cultures, perspectives, and experiences. This offers digital nomads a unique opportunity to learn about various cultures, languages, and traditions.
These exchanges can lead to broadened perspectives, a deeper understanding of global issues, and personal growth. This intercultural dialogue can be as valuable, if not more, as the experiences digital nomads gain while traveling. For example, a digital nomad named Sarah shared a coliving space in Berlin with people from Spain, Japan, and South Africa. Through everyday conversations and shared meals, she learned about Japanese tea ceremony traditions, Spanish cooking, and South African history. This global environment added an educational layer to her coliving experience.
Similarly, digital nomads also share their culture and experiences with others, creating a reciprocal learning environment. In this sense, coliving becomes more than just a shared living space; it becomes a hub for cultural exchange and lifelong learning.
7. Enhanced Security
Security can be a concern for digital nomads, especially when continually moving between unfamiliar locations. Coliving offers a solution to this issue, providing an environment where safety and security are prioritized.
Coliving spaces often have security measures such as CCTV cameras, secure access systems, and sometimes even round-the-clock security personnel. This gives residents a sense of safety and peace of mind, allowing them to focus on their work and enjoy their living space without worrying about security issues. Additionally, the communal nature of coliving spaces can enhance security. The presence of others and a built-in community can deter potential security threats, and in emergencies, having people around to assist can be invaluable.
Whether working late into the night or leaving their belongings to explore a new city, the enhanced security of coliving can provide comfort and assurance that’s often hard to find in other housing options.
The Future of Digital Nomadism and Coliving
Security can be a concern for digital nomads, especially when continually moving between unfamiliar locations. Coliving offers a solution to this issue, providing an environment where safety and security are prioritized.
Coliving spaces often have security measures such as CCTV cameras, secure access systems, and sometimes even round-the-clock security personnel. This gives residents a sense of safety and peace of mind, allowing them to focus on their work and enjoy their living space without worrying about security issues. Additionally, the communal nature of coliving spaces can enhance security. The presence of others and a built-in community can deter potential security threats, and in emergencies, having people around to assist can be invaluable.
Whether working late into the night or leaving their belongings to explore a new city, the enhanced security of coliving can provide comfort and assurance that’s often hard to find in other housing options.
Ready to Begin Your Coliving Journey?
Are you among the countless digital nomads on the lookout for their next home base? Or perhaps you’re intrigued by the idea of coliving and want to learn more? Maybe you’re ready to embark on a fresh adventure in a new city, starting your coliving experience?
If any of these resonate with you, check out our blog post on the top European cities to watch for coliving opportunities. Also, join The Citylifer community to stay up to date on exciting news and insights about coliving!
The Citylifer Perspective
We know firsthand the challenges of settling into a foreign country, where the culture, rules, and ways of doing things can seem like a maze. This understanding fuels our commitment to offer affordable apartments in prime locations that empower you to live a plug-and-play lifestyle, all while being part of a vibrant, diverse community.
Cost-Effective Living
Living abroad shouldn’t break the bank. At The Citylifer, we’ve calibrated our pricing based on average salary incomes, ensuring you can comfortably afford a high standard of living. For example, in Rotterdam studios start from €690 per month. By balancing cost with quality, we remove a major obstacle to embracing the nomadic lifestyle.
Strategically Located Amenities-Rich Residences
Location can make or break your experience in a new city. That’s why The Citylifer’s properties are strategically situated in hip and upcoming neighborhoods, providing easy access to public transport, shopping centers, and entertainment venues. Beyond location, our buildings offer a range of on-site amenities, from coworking spaces and coffee bars to gyms, adding convenience and richness to your daily life.
Plug-and-Play Lifestyle
The Citylifer is designed to make your transition to a new environment as seamless as possible. Our plug-and-play lifestyle ensures that all housing costs, from rent to utilities, are wrapped into one straightforward contract. High-speed internet is a given, and we’ve also implemented robust security measures to ensure peace of mind. To accommodate the ever-changing plans of a digital nomad, we offer flexible contract terms for both short and long-term stays.
A Thriving, Intimate Community Experience
Community is the cornerstone of life at The Citylifer. To ensure meaningful and lasting connections, we have innovated the concept of “community clusters,” each limited to a maximum of 25 residents. The smaller community size makes it easier to meet people and build genuine relationships. Within these intimate clusters, you’ll find Trailblazers—long-standing residents who guide newcomers. Additionally, each cluster shares a dedicated “Family Room,” a communal space for cooking, dining, watching movies, and more. This carefully curated environment not only enhances your sense of safety but also contributes to a richer, more fulfilling living experience, providing the support you need as you embark on your new adventure abroad.
