Your First Coliving Experience from a Freelancer in His 20s: What to Expect

As a 27-year-old freelancer in marketing and design, I’ve discovered how transformative coliving can be. I’m Lucian, and I first learned about coliving through platforms like WorldPackers and TikTok, where people shared the perks of living in a shared community. What drew me in was the idea of being inspired by others — not just professionally, but personally — through meaningful connections and shared experiences. Many spaces offer coliving accommodation deals tailored to different schedules, making it an excellent choice for freelancers, entrepreneurs, and digital nomads seeking balance between productivity and growth.

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: Living with others creates a supportive environment.. 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. It’s a space where shared accountability and daily routines help improve focus and well-being.
• Physical Health: On-site gyms, group fitness activities, and outdoor adventures are common in coliving spaces. Whether it’s running, hiking, or yoga, staying active becomes part of your routine. 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.
• Social Enrichment: 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 and Nomads

• Networking and Collaboration: Shared spaces spark casual conversations that lead to valuable insights and creative partnerships. For example, 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.
• 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 are also the people you meet along the way that will rewire your brain, like:

1. Saija, a yoga teacher and wellness marketing expert, inspired me by showing how personal passions can be balanced with a successful career.
2. Rossi, a remote entrepreneur running a marketing agency with four team members in Bulgaria, motivated me to invest more in meaningful connections. Watching her expand her business internationally was a reminder of how much you can grow in a supportive community.

• Supportive Community: Coliving provides a built-in network of supportive individuals who genuinely understand the challenges of personal and professional growth:

1. Daily advice and collaboration opportunities: Whether it’s brainstorming on a project or offering feedback, your coliving housemates are there to help and see your ideas coming to life.
2. Collaborations start with friendship: Instead of scouring the internet for a freelancer, you’ll find designers, developers, or marketers just down the hall.
3. Motivation and balance: With others rooting for your success, staying focused and positive becomes second nature.

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

• Wellness Activities: Many coliving spaces offer yoga, mindfulness sessions, and wellness workshops to help residents relax and stay balanced. Stress and anxiety can easily appear when you have big projects and ideas to handle, learning more about the benefits of breathing exercises could help you cope with this part easier and stay more present.
• Inspiring Surroundings: Imagine mornings with a matcha latte, breathtaking views, and enriching conversations with fellow colivers.
• 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.