Thriving in community – Insights from a Finca resident
2024-09-09
Why are Coliving spaces so expensive?
A simple breakdown of the costs of shared living
Coliving has exploded in popularity over the last few years, but so has the confusion around pricing. Why does a room in a shared house sometimes cost as much as a private apartment? Let’s break down what you’re actually paying for — and how to spot real value vs scams.
“How much? I can rent an entire 3-bedroom apartment for that!” How many times do we read posts like these on all different digital nomad and remote workers groups and channels?
And it’s true, most Coliving spaces, especially in Europe, are way out of the budget for a lot of people. But expensive compared to what? A retreat? Hotel? Hostel? AirBnB flat? Long term rental apartment? House- or pet-sitting?
Here’s a table with average nightly prices in Lisbon for the different accommodation types (Note: numbers are approximate, based on a mix of sources).
As you can see it doesn’t really make any sense to compare apples to oranges. There are plenty of different options available out there to match all kinds of budgets and needs.
Of course you have to see the value of a community in the first place. If you’re not fond of the idea of shared living, then this is simply not the right form of accommodation for you.
But if you are into this concept and want to work out what it is that you are paying for and if you are getting good value for your money, here are the 3 fundamental questions to ask yourself:
1) Where is it located?
2) What are the facilities like?
3) What services are included?
4) Are there any other added values?
1. Location
Understanding what you are paying for is the first step. So obviously the country matters since Switzerland is more expensive than Greece for example.
But also the surroundings matter since a beachside property or a place right in the city centre, in a ski resort or other places of high interest will be way more expensive than the same property in a different location.
2. Facilities
What are the sleeping arrangements?
Is the price for a bed in a shared room or a single private ensuite deluxe with a king-size bed? Careful here, as the term “Coliving” won’t give you a clue on that. Most places offer several different options.
Then check what other facilities there are on the property. Is there private parking? A pool? An office? A gym? Arts studio? Library? Ping-pong table or other gadgets?
3. Services
Now, the most underrated factor is the services provided. Here we are talking about time consuming tasks, executed by actual people in order to make your stay pleasant.
That’s from answering your questions pre-arrival to meeting and greeting you, helping you settle in or giving advice on things to do in the area.
Some places have weekly meet-ups, skillshares, excursions, yoga lessons, breakfast, etc. And not to forget the cleaning and maintenance.
4. Added value
So in terms of facilities and services Coliving spaces compare rather to hotels than to rental apartments with the added benefit that they are tailor made to meet the specific needs of a digital nomad or remote worker.
The biggest value without doubt though is the community. You are not just a tenant or guest but part of a social network where you meet and connect with others.
Now, of course that is only true for real Coliving spaces. There are plenty of scams out there that just put “Coliving” in the name but are hardly more than an overpriced house or apartment with a few rooms, no services, no atmosphere, no team working on creating a welcoming space for you.
Red flags to look out for: If it says “apartment” it quite certainly is not a real coliving as colivings are usually bigger properties like houses, villas, castles even. If it doesn’t mention the word “community”. That means you might share a kitchen and therefore co-live with another person but you will not find the community that is unique to real coliving spaces.
To gain a better understanding you can check our posts on What is coliving and How to find your perfect coliving.
The best coliving spaces are not just places to sleep — they’re curated environments for community, productivity, and connection. Once you know what’s behind the price, it becomes much easier to recognize true value for money.
If you are looking for one of those real Coliving spaces, the following websites provide you with a curated list of hand-picked Coliving gems and great offers:
