As a 27-year-old freelancer in marketing and design, I’ve discovered just how transformative coliving can be. I’m Lucian and I first heard about coliving through WorldPackers and stumbled upon countless TikTok reviews showcasing the benefits of living in a shared community. What drew me in was the idea of being inspired by others, not just professionally, but personally, by hearing their life stories and sharing experiences.
For freelancers, digital nomads, and entrepreneurs, coliving offers a lifestyle that goes beyond just having a roof over your head. It creates an environment where you can connect people, grow, and thrive with other like-minded people. Many spaces offer coliving accommodation deals to fit different schedules and needs, making them an excellent choice for those looking to balance work and personal growth.
From boosting productivity to improving mental and physical health, coliving has been a transformative experience! Here’s how it has impacted my journey and what you might discover if you decide to try it.
Coliving and Personal Growth
Coliving isn’t just about working or networking, it’s also a fantastic catalyst for personal development. Let me share how it’s improved three key areas of my life:
Mental Health: After a hard day or when personal problems weigh me down, I often feel overwhelmed and tempted to binge-watch something instead of doing anything productive. But living in a coliving space has given me a strong sense of community. When people notice I’m feeling off, they often ask, “What’s wrong? You seem a bit down today.” These simple gestures of care, combined with meaningful discussions, encouragement, and support, have significantly improved my mental health.
Beyond emotional support, coliving has also helped me build better habits and routines. Whether it’s creating shared accountability for projects, forming new habits together, or simply aligning daily schedules, living with others makes it easier to stay on track. For instance, joining housemates for a morning workout or committing to weekly progress check-ins with a small group has brought structure and focus to my life. Being surrounded by others who genuinely care fills me with positive energy, reminds me that I’m not alone in navigating life’s challenges, and keeps me motivated to work on my goals.
Physical Health: I’ve always been an active person, but if staying active is something you struggle with, coliving can make it much easier. Many coliving spaces, like those with on-site gyms, provide opportunities to exercise without leaving your home base. Even if a gym isn’t available, housemates often suggest activities like joining a running group, participating in a local marathon, or heading out for a hike. And if you’re in a city like Barcelona, where mountains and national parks are just a short distance away, outdoor adventures are always within reach. The encouragement and enthusiasm of others make staying active feel natural and enjoyable.
Having Fun and Staying Present: Relaxing can sometimes feel like a challenge when you’re a freelancer, a 9 to 5 entrepreneur, a digital nomad or constantly juggling projects. But living in a coliving space changes that! Whether it’s joining communal dinners like potlucks or trying out new activities with housemates, the social aspect helps me feel present and fully enjoy the moment. It’s also encouraged me to try other activities, like enjoying a boat ride or spending a day vintage shop hopping.
The Coliving Experience for Freelancers, Entrepreneurs, and Nomads
Regardless of your background, coliving provides an environment tailored to connection and growth:
Networking and Collaboration: Shared spaces naturally spark conversations, and those casual moments often lead to valuable feedback or unexpected collaborations. You’ll meet so many passionate people sharing ideas that you can’t help but feel motivated to revive that project you’ve had on hold for months. Recently, I learned about three colivers — Pilar, Noam, and Maurits — who, despite not knowing each other before, teamed up to create an app addressing the challenges people with food restrictions face when navigating menus and choosing meals. Having struggled with food restrictions myself, I felt a sense of relief and excitement seeing someone tackle this issue in such an innovative way.
Now fully launched, Taste Buddy lets users scan menus, receive personalized recommendations, and confidently select meals that match their dietary preferences. Whether it’s handling food allergies, translating foreign menus, or simplifying overwhelming options, this app makes dining stress-free and tailored to individual needs. It’s inspiring to see how Pilar, Noam, and Maurits turned a casual connection into a project that’s now helping people enjoy meals with confidence and ease.
Shared Experiences: From entrepreneurial workshops to communal dinners, coliving spaces create an environment where meaningful connections thrive and socializing feels effortless. Beyond the planned events, there’s always something spontaneous happening: a casual movie night, spontaneous dancing parties in the kitchen after baking national dishes. These unplanned moments make coliving even more vibrant and full of surprises.
I’ve also had the chance to meet inspiring people like Saija, a yoga teacher and wellness marketing expert, who showed me that it’s possible to balance personal passions with a thriving career. Then there’s Rossi, who runs her own marketing company remotely with a team of four delivering strategies in Bulgaria and currently expanding her business internationally. Rossi’s uplifting personality and drive to connect with people motivated me to build more meaningful relationships with those around me. It’s these connections that make coliving such a transformative experience.
A Built-In Support System: When you’re surrounded by people who truly understand the ups and downs of professional and personal growth, staying motivated and balanced becomes much easier. You’ll find yourself receiving insightful advice daily — something you wouldn’t normally have access to so effortlessly. Out of the blue, you’ll meet people who can contribute directly to your personal projects. Instead of searching online for a freelancer, you’ll have a designer, programmer, or social media manager right there, ready to help. And the best part? These collaborations often start with friendship, making the process smoother and more enjoyable.
Coliving as a Solution to Bigger Challenges
In addition to personal growth, coliving can address broader challenges, like the housing crises many cities face today. Living in a shared space provides an affordable alternative while fostering a supportive community. In fact, experts have suggested that more coliving spaces could help alleviate the housing crisis.
For those feeling overwhelmed by the stress of rising housing costs or isolation, coliving offers a practical and uplifting way to manage these anxieties. Being part of a community that supports and uplifts one another makes you feel less alone in facing life’s challenges.
Why Coliving Stands Out
With tailored wellness activities, shared cultural experiences, and conveniences that streamline daily life, coliving redefines how you live and work.
Here’s what sets it apart:
Wellness Activities: Many coliving spaces include wellness-focused sessions like yoga and breathing exercises. These activities aren’t just relaxing—they can help you develop useful techniques to cope with anxiety and stress. Learn more about the benefits of breathing exercises here.
Incredible Views and Social Moments: Imagine starting your day with a cup of matcha latte on the balcony, overlooking some of the best views in town. Morning discussions with new friends often turn into moments of gratitude and inspiration that set the tone for the rest of your day.
Fewer Chores, More Focus: With daily tasks like cleaning and buying supplies taken care of, you’ll free up more time to focus on your personal and professional goals. The simplicity of coliving gives you the mental space to thrive.
Healthy Lifestyle Changes: Living with people from diverse cultures can inspire you to adopt healthier habits. From trying out new recipes shared by colivers to seeing others prioritize fitness and nutrition, the environment naturally encourages better choices for your diet and overall well-being.
There are many reasons for choosing coliving as a freelancer or remote worker, and these can help elevate both your lifestyle and career.
Why Coliving Might Be Your Next Big Change
Coliving offers a unique way to integrate your living space with personal and professional development. For freelancers, digital nomads, and entrepreneurs, it provides an environment where meaningful connections take root, productive routines are built, and creative collaborations naturally occur.
With shared workspaces to fuel productivity, wellness activities to support mental and physical health, and fewer day-to-day responsibilities to manage, coliving creates the ideal balance for individuals seeking growth. It’s more than just a place to stay—it’s a lifestyle that helps you thrive in every aspect.
If you’re looking for a space that encourages connection, fosters growth, and offers the freedom to focus on your goals, coliving could be the perfect choice. Take the step and discover how it can transform the way you live, work, and connect.
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