In recent years, we have seen a particular rise in investment in coliving spaces in Hong Kong. Millennials are the new generation to pave the way for this modern way of living, inhabiting spaces very differently from their parents and grandparents. They are generally a technology-driven generation that demands flexibility, openness, and collaboration in their spaces As they’ve moved into the workforce, the need for coworking is equally on the rise. Similar reasons lie behind the demand for both coliving and coworking spaces.
Coliving, which can be defined as a way of living focused on a sense of community, using shared spaces and facilities to create a more convenient and fulfilling lifestyle.
Definition of coliving by coliving.com
Why are people choosing to ‘colive’?
Millennials, in particular, are highly adaptable and much more willing to share facilities. It’s all about interacting with like-minded people and seeking a community to be a part of – and of course, the skyrocketing house prices in many cities worldwide cause great difficulty for young workers to climb onto the property ladder in the first place. It’s a much less expensive solution to have their kind of space, defined by their needs, in the cities they choose to live in.
Source: Mojo Nomad – Aberdeen – Coliving.com
Many developers, including Chinese property developers, see investment opportunities in coliving projects. Shanghai-based Future Land Development is currently testing the Hong Kong market’s coliving spaces with developments aimed at college students and young professionals looking for affordable rent in a modern environment. Hong Kong’s skyrocketing rents have created an opportunity for coliving property projects – small rooms built around communal living and cooking areas, as a viable and affordable option for millennials.
Source: InnTech – Park Island House – Coliving.com
M3 was one of the first coliving spaces to be developed in Hong Kong two years ago, combining private rooms with common areas such as kitchens, gyms, and living rooms. Safe, comfortable, and affordable: a problematic find in Hong Kong, one of the world’s most expensive places to purchase a home. However, coliving spaces are not only attracting students, but these are precisely the attributes driving young professionals in the city to also opt for coliving spaces – collaboration, affordability, and flexibility. Coliving is becoming the new norm for young professionals in Hong Kong.
The rise in coworking spaces.
The rise of coliving spaces is now bringing digital nomadism to the next level. Essentially, our working environment is evolving parallel to coliving. With the rise of technology, we can now work from anywhere in the world. Coworking spaces are popular spots that offer all the essentials necessary for getting work done in a modern and flexible working environment. Millennials, again, tend to be a driving force toward this way of working. They are often efficient, tech-savvy individuals abandoning the old restrictive and traditional hierarchies and offices. As with coliving, these spaces provide a lower-cost option, which often brings together like-minded people, offering overall affordability and flexibility. With space at a premium, these coworking spaces are taking off in Hong Kong.
More recently, there has also been an increase in demand for spaces in which coliving and coworking can occur simultaneously in the same spaces – this is perhaps not the best solution for work-life balance – however, it takes the whole co-movement to the next level.
Tacking urban life now and in the future.
The sad reality is that coliving is often the only option for young people now to be able to afford to move out of the family home. Our cities are becoming denser and more expensive year after year. However, both coliving and coworking can help address many challenges facing young people now and provide that sense of freedom those in their twenties often seek. There appears to be a future based on this whole co-movement. Millennials are moving away from possessions and seeking a lifestyle of experiences, flexibility, and a sense of belonging in the broader support community. This movement looks set to continue rising in Hong Kong and many other cities worldwide – where property prices are increasing.
Coliving in Singapore is also pretty popular.
