In a world that thrives on connectivity and shared experiences, the concept of coliving has emerged as a dynamic solution for those seeking a sense of community, convenience, and adventure. Coliving transcends traditional living arrangements, offering individuals the chance to not only share spaces but also forge meaningful connections with like-minded individuals. As the trend gains momentum, choosing the right city for your coliving experience becomes a pivotal decision. Each city comes with its unique charm, challenges, and opportunities.
This article unveils the top 5 cities around Europe that have embraced the coliving movement, creating spaces where collaboration, comfort, and camaraderie intersect. From the artistic energy of Rotterdam to the inclusivity of Berlin, the sun-soaked serenity of Barcelona, the old-world beauty of Lisbon, and the sustainable connection of Copenhagen, these cities offer more than just a place to live – they provide a canvas for crafting unforgettable memories and building a global network.
Let’s look into the intricacies of each city’s coliving landscape, exploring the cost of living, the challenges that come with the territory, and the magnetic pull that makes these destinations irresistible to colivers from all walks of life. Your journey to finding the ideal coliving community begins here.
1. Rotterdam, Netherlands: Where Creativity Meets Coliving
Home to Europe’s largest port, Rotterdam boasts an eclectic blend of sleek architecture and gritty urban charm. Nestled in the Netherlands’ bustling heart, this city has emerged as a hub for creativity and collaboration. With thousands of artists and entrepreneurs drawn to its innovative spirit, Rotterdam offers an affordable base for coliving enthusiasts seeking community.
Cost of Living
Rotterdam remains moderately priced compared to other major European cities. Average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment ranging from €300-€3,500 based on Rentola, while a single person’s daily expenses hover around €69. That’s 30% less expensive than in Amsterdam, which is just an hour away.
Challenges and Expectations
Coliving in Rotterdam poses unique challenges. You may face language barriers, bike storage logistics, indoor crowding during cold weather months, noise from the lively nightlife, abundant events requiring schedule coordination, complex public transit for newcomers, and convoluted Dutch administrative tasks. To thrive, embrace the international culture through open communication and mutual respect.
Why Rotterdam for Coliving
With its energetic vibe and vibrant scene, Rotterdam offers an exciting coliving experience. Considered one of the most bike-friendly cities in the world according to The Guardian, Rotterdam lures creative types with its fusion of avant-garde art, startup energy, and art hubs like Het Nieuwe Instituut along with incubators like RDM Rotterdam, igniting innovation. Coliving residents soak up the dynamic mix of cultures, cuisine, and design, with abundant local brands and startups. Rotterdam’s diversity and energetic nightlife create a vibrant social scene, with numerous museums, exhibitions, street art, and striking contemporary architecture like the Markthal, Depot Rotterdam, Erasmus Bridge, and Euromast. With its ideal location and abundant events, Rotterdam provides a forward-thinking, dynamic choice focused on the future for collaborative housing.
Coliving Companies in Rotterdam
The Citylifer
Catering to digital nomads and traveling professionals, The Citylifer fuels collaboration through shared spaces like its coffee bars, game areas and rooftop terrace. Monthly rates start around €690, including luxe amenities and community events. The Citylifer offers convenient and community-oriented coliving spaces across Rotterdam. Their fully furnished apartments in prime locations, all-inclusive monthly rents, and curated activities make The Citylifer an appealing option for connecting international and local residents.
The Social Hub Rotterdam
Formerly The Student Hotel, this reinvented spot brings together students, travelers, and locals through their laid-back bars and restaurants. The Social Hub Rotterdam offers comfortable rooms, meeting spaces, and stunning river views. It’s a community hub for coworking and making memories. Average monthly varies depending on the type of room and rental period.
2. Copenhagen, Denmark: Sustainability and Connection
Copenhagen tops rankings as one of the world’s most sustainable cities. Nestled along the Baltic Sea, Denmark’s capital blends environmental consciousness with a strong sense of hygge community. This progressive Scandinavian gem has emerged as a darling for coliving fans seeking green living.
Cost of Living
Copenhagen sees average monthly rent for a one-bedroom city center apartment around €1000, approximately 27% pricier than Rotterdam. Daily costs for groceries, dining, and activities run about €57. But initiatives like free education through university and universal healthcare provide value. Iconic areas like Nyhavn offer entertainment without breaking the bank.
Challenges and Expectations
While lively annual events like Distortion fill Copenhagen’s streets, long winters with limited daylight can present an adjustment. Navigating the 55.9% average income tax rate and daily errands is aided by learning some Danish, visiting the Strøget shopping district or Tivoli Gardens amusement park. Openness to hygge culture and mastering bike commuting are keys to thriving in Copenhagen’s coliving scene.
Why Copenhagen for Coliving
Known for eco-friendly living with 62% biking daily, Copenhagen offers communal sustainability. Venues like NOHlab arts complex and over 40,000 residents in intentional communities resonate with green values. Coliving spaces allow immersion in initiatives from urban gardens benefiting businesses like Lendager Group, which upcycles construction waste into sustainable building materials, to car sharing, which reduces personal vehicle ownership. Copenhagen enables living aligned with eco-conscious values and participating in a collaborative culture focused on the future.
Coliving Companies in Copenhagen
LifeX
LifeX offers sustainable coliving apartments with Nordic design. They promote green transportation, use 100% renewable energy, and implement eco-friendly policies. They aim to continually improve sustainability through energy-efficient renovations, electric vehicles, and member education. Rates start around €832 per month including rent, utilities, maintenance, furniture and more.
Nest Copenhagen
As one of Copenhagen’s first co-living spaces, Nest is a vibrant, resident-run shared housing community built on non-profit principles across from the Central Station. With engaged residents, communal spirit, and convenient transportation access, Nest promotes bonds between a limited number of residents across four fully outfitted apartments, which require an application process.
3. Berlin, Germany: Urban Dynamism and Inclusivity
With over 170 museums and 300 galleries, Berlin emerges as Europe’s capital of creativity. This cosmopolitan hub of 3.6 million residents resonates with boundless energy. The city’s world-famous nightlife and underground party culture thrive alongside historic sites like the Berlin Wall, Brandenburg Gate, and Checkpoint Charlie. With its fusion of history, edgy art scene, progressive values, and vibrant nightlife, Berlin offers an alluring blend for coliving residents. As a cultural epicenter home to diverse neighborhoods and a progressive reputation that draws creative talent globally, Berlin’s openness to innovation and collaboration cements its status as a coveted artistic hub focused on the future.
Cost of Living
With average monthly rent for a one-bedroom city center apartment from €700-1,700, Berlin remains affordable compared to pricier German cities like Munich averaging €1,800 per month. Daily costs for groceries at markets like Kaufhaus des Westens, dining out in Mitte, and entertainment run approximately €600. Vibrant neighborhoods like Friedrichshain and Kreuzberg offer budget-friendly access to Berlin’s thriving arts, music, and club scenes. While neighborhood cafes, boutiques, and bike paths exude laidback vibes.
Challenges and Expectations
Berlin’s anything-goes counterculture and gritty avant-garde vibe requires an open mindset. The language barrier can be difficult without some German proficiency. Bureaucracy poses hurdles from long wait times for permits to complex transit. However, embracing the 24/7 energy, thriving nightlife, abundance of cultural festivals, and diversity will allow you to thrive. Expect vibrant self-expression, social flexibility, and tapping into creative inspiration.
Why Berlin for Coliving
Known for its vibrant startup scene with over 1,200 tech companies and events like Berlin Fashion Week, Berlin promises creative opportunities. Iconic start-up hubs like Factory Berlin and artistic venues like the East Side Gallery fuse innovation with counterculture flair. Annual festivals complement the diversity of food and culture, attractive for colivers seeking a dynamic community to immerse themselves in and unlock their creativity.
Coliving Companies in Berlin
HappyPigeons
Combining modern living spaces with community, HappyPigeons hosts events like open mic nights at their in-house coffee shop. Strategically situated in the vibrant Prenzlauer Berg neighborhood, coliving rates for a fully-furnished one-bedroom unit in Berlin start around €750 per month, providing an affordable housing option in a central location.
Vonder
Vonder’s turnkey apartments come fully furnished with all-inclusive amenities for convenient urban living. With minimum stays between one to three months available in various cities, options range from studios to stylish penthouses. Their thoughtfully designed properties provide abundant onsite facilities like coworking spaces, cafes, rooftop terraces, and more suited for short-term stays.
4. Barcelona, Spain: Sun, Sea, and Coliving Serenity
With over 4 kilometers of sun-soaked Mediterranean coastline, Barcelona exudes an irresistible charm. This cosmopolitan Spanish jewel entices with its mosaic of Gothic temples, winding alleys, and beachfront buzz. Offering a relaxed pace soaked in sunshine, Barcelona has emerged as a favorite for colivers seeking community connections.
Cost of Living
With an average monthly rent of €1,400 for a one-bedroom apartment in Barcelona’s central city center, rental rates are on par for a major European capital. Estimated living expenses like grocery shopping at La Boqueria Market, dining out in the El Born neighborhood, and entertainment average approximately €600 per person per month. Despite the higher apartment costs, Barcelona still offers an enticing lifestyle and amenities at a moderate price point compared to other metropolitan cities like London or Paris.
Challenges and Expectations
Barcelona’s vibrant energy presents coliving challenges like noise levels from the thriving nightlife and crowded tourist sites. Adapting to more relaxed schedules with late night dining and socializing is key. The Catalan language poses a communication barrier to overcome through learning key phrases or befriending a local housemate. Embracing spontaneous adventures, sampling endless culinary and cultural delights, and joining the lively social scene will enhance the coliving experience.
Why Barcelona for Coliving
With its world-renowned architecture, endless sunshine, miles of beachfront, and Mediterranean climate, Barcelona offers an alluring setting for coliving. Immerse yourself in the electric culture with flamenco dancing, late night revelry, and mouthwatering cuisine. Barcelona promises inspiration through renowned art museums, design halls, and music venues. Join a collaborative community in one of Europe’s most vibrant and lively cities.
Coliving Companies in Barcelona
Habit elle
Habit elle offers women-centric coliving with apartments and rooms designed for female residents. Their shared flats come fully furnished with an all-inclusive model covering utilities up to €50, allowing for a simplified living experience. Additional services can be requested hassle-free as needed. Habit elle facilitates community through a focus on safety, ease, and cultivating connections between residents. With spaces thoughtfully crafted by and for women, Habit elle provides a welcoming environment for female colivers.
Enso Coliving
Catering to visionaries seeking growth, Enso builds community through shared spaces and services that empower professional and personal development. Their human-centric, stress-free approach to coliving lets residents focus on what matters. Enso features one-bedroom rates starting at €660 per month, depending on unit size. Their collaborative environment enables continuous life improvement.
5. Lisbon, Portugal: Old-World Beauty Meets Coliving Convenience
Set upon seven legendary hills, this Portuguese capital city blends old world romanticism with modern vibrancy. Known for its sunny climate, coastal charm, and over 20 museums, Lisbon has emerged as a hotspot among coliving residents and digital nomads. With Portugal’s lower taxes, smaller prices, and beach lifestyles, remote workers are drawn to Lisbon. Coliving spaces tailored specifically to digital nomads allow blending work and play, with WiFi cafes to work beachside by day transitioning to surf sessions by evening. With its idyllic coastal setting, charming culture, and digital nomad appeal, Lisbon provides an alluring blend of old world beauty and modern opportunities for location independent colivers.
Cost of Living
With average monthly rents going from €600-700 for a centrally located one-bedroom apartment in Lisbon, accommodation costs are lower than in other major European hubs like Copenhagen and Geneva. Estimated daily expenses for groceries, dining, and entertainment range from €30-50. Overall, Lisbon offers an affordable cost of living to complement the relaxed lifestyle and wealth of culture.
Challenges and Expectations
Coliving in Lisbon requires accepting slower-paced living, from the laidback schedules to lengthy lunch breaks. Navigating the hilly terrain and cobblestone streets demands sturdy shoes and fitness. While the year-round festivities foster community, the language barrier can limit connections if you don’t speak Portuguese. Adapting to late dining times, embracing spontaneous fun with housemates, and learning key phrases eases immersion into Lisbon’s relaxed culture.
Why Lisbon for Coliving
Lisbon’s mild climate, charming cobbled streets, and hilltop vistas provide a beautiful backdrop for coliving. Experience the unhurried pace, spending hours over meals and unwinding at night with housemates. With eclectic architecture, captivating museums, and exciting festivals year-round, inspiration abounds. Lisbon offers community within a walkable city full of history, culture, and natural splendor.
Coliving Companies in Lisbon
Co.Lisbon
For students and young professionals seeking a vibrant community in Lisbon, Co.Lisbon offers all-inclusive accommodations. These lodging options cater to individuals looking to connect and engage with like-minded peers in the city. The newly renovated four-story building features 28 rooms and studios with ensuite bathrooms and modern amenities. The ground floor provides inviting shared spaces for work and leisure, including communal living areas that open up to a sunny garden. Rates start from €690 per month.
Selina
Selina offers affordable and comfortable accommodation for modern nomads. With a range of rooms available, from community rooms to suites, Selina provides organic dishes, exclusive wellness experiences, and high-speed WiFi for remote work and networking. Locally-inspired events offer guests a chance to connect with the local community. Prices range from €400-1,800 per month.
Finding Your Coliving Home Abroad
The concept of coliving is transforming the world, attracting people seeking community, connection, and convenience to different cities. Rotterdam, Barcelona, Copenhagen, Berlin, and Lisbon offer unique experiences for coliving. While costs, challenges, and local dynamics differ, the promise of meaningful relationships and a collaborative lifestyle is common.
Coliving companies like Habit elle, Selina, LifeX, HappyPigeons, and The Citylifer are paving the way, creating a global network that transcends borders. These coliving destinations showcase the essence of their cities, celebrating diversity and sustainability while nurturing a sense of belonging. Choosing the right coliving city is an exciting journey of discovering a community to thrive within.
