Coliving has evolved beyond a simple housing solution into a lifestyle choice that is attracting a diverse demographic. As the market matures, residents' expectations are growing, with a strong focus on community, flexibility, and value for money. Here's what today's coliving residents really want.
Many colivers are on the move, whether they’re international students or digital nomads, and as such they are looking for a home that includes a genuine, built-in community with a range of amenities and events.
To achieve that, coliving operators must actively participate in nurturing and engaging residents through curated community events, networking opportunities, and placemaking that supports diverse interests and personalities.
“The feedback we receive is that a sense of community and events is key, as is the flexibility and length of stay. Some residents may have relocated for work or had a change in personal circumstances and only need something for a short period,” said Katherine Rose, Managing Director for Verv Life.
Combined with the typically shorter lease terms in coliving, high community engagement usually depends on two things: having a larger onsite team to manage the higher number of amenities and events compared to traditional residential living models, and having a feature-packed resident app serving as the community hub and main communication tool.
The modern coliving resident wants a digital-first environment, convenience, and turnkey living that includes smart home technology, keyless entry, and an app to manage everything from maintenance requests to community events. Residents value a seamless, tech-enabled journey, which includes smart parcel lockers and reliable high-speed internet.
According to one Everything Coliving article, “Technology integration isn’t just a perk; it’s becoming an expectation in co-living, attracting tech-savvy residents and streamlining operations. All these conveniences mean that co-living today doesn’t feel like a compromise. Instead, it can feel like an upgrade—you get hotel-like services in your home (cleaning, furnishing, utilities ready to go) and the connectivity of modern apps to simplify living with housemates.”
Technology also powers personalization, whether it’s AI generated recommendations, surveys triggered by a lease-related event, or a digital concierge in the resident app.
Health and wellness are not a trend, they're a core driver for residents. A report from B-Hive Living highlights that "wellness-focused coliving spaces will take centre stage in 2025." This includes on-site fitness centers, yoga studios, and dedicated outdoor spaces.
In addition, an increasing number of residents are environmentally conscious. They seek out and are willing to pay more for properties that incorporate sustainable practices, such as energy-efficient appliances, gamified energy consumption facilitated by an integrated resident app, and reduced waste programs.
Plus, coliving by its nature enhances community interaction and collaboration. Residents provide social support that reduces stress and loneliness, positively impacting mental health.
Residents, especially digital nomads and young professionals, are not necessarily looking for long-term commitments. They want flexibility in their leasing options whether that’s a shorter 30-day stay or a longer 12-month lease.
That variety in leasing lengths also means coliving operators must maintain fast processes for move-in, move-out, and minimized void periods. Residents don’t want to waste time with inefficient procedures or slow tenant-facing operations.
Here again a resident app can play a role in supporting resident wants by streamlining those processes and operations. As one example, an in-app pre-move-in phase can guide new residents through the entire moving and check-in process at their own pace while saving time for onsite teams.
As far as leasing terms, more and more residents are seeing the benefits of all-inclusive rent, where amenities, services such as cleaning, and shared spaces are all included and accessible without separate payments.
“In my previous place, I was constantly stressed about rent hikes and hidden maintenance fees. But here, everything is included in one bill, which not only makes it easier to budget but also takes away that constant worry about how I’ll cover unexpected expenses,” said coliving resident Maria.
Remote and hybrid workers have made it clear that space adaptability is paramount. Residents experience flexibility in their lifestyles and expect that to be matched by their coliving space: a seamless blend of working and living.
According to John Badman, Residential Leader for Gensler’s Europe region, “With the rise of remote and hybrid work, demand for spaces that blend work and home life is growing. Designs now include communal kitchens, wellness zones, and spaces that encourage both interaction and solitude. These innovations are crucial in supporting residents’ well-being while balancing privacy and communal engagement.”
From home base to coworking space, coliving properties can achieve the standard of living that residents want through design, making residents feel like they’re living in the lap of (affordable) luxury.
Tailored workspaces and creative studios, biophilic design, beautifully equipped kitchens, room layouts that flow—the combination of well-designed spaces with experience-led living is a key differentiator for successful coliving operators.
What it all comes down to for coliving residents is: do they feel they’re getting good value for their money? Everything we covered above applies there.
Colivers care about connecting with other people, about the modern and exclusive feeling of a tech-enabled building, and flexible spaces where they can find everything they need from wellness to working. When you meet those needs through vibrant placemaking, you’re giving coliving residents what they really want: value.
Implementing the answers to residents' wants in 2025 will positively impact satisfaction, retention, and NOI. Want to learn how to upgrade your operations and offerings to keep up with changing resident wants and needs? Get started here.
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