Mastering the Coliving Lifestyle: Strategies for Success

If you’re new to co-living, you’ll find that it provides an attractive solution to the cost-of-living crisis in New York City. It can also be an opportunity to form new friendships in a casual environment. Learning how to join a co-living arrangement is the first step to developing strong bonds with your new roommates.

Get to Know Your Co-Living Roommates

First things first: what is coliving?

When you join a co-living rental, you’ll rent a private bedroom in a larger property. The bedrooms in many units have ensuite bathrooms to enhance the feeling of privacy. The rent you pay gives you access to the common areas as well. This includes in-unit living spaces, such as the living room and kitchen.

Additionally, you’ll enjoy access to community amenities, such as a laundry room, fitness center, and swimming pool.

Your first experience with co-living in NYC might feel a little awkward. However, you’ll quickly get used to having other people around after a few days. Taking a minute to introduce yourself to the other renters in the unit can help you break the ice.

You don’t have to meet every roommate at once — say hi to each roommate as your schedules permit. 

Discuss Your Boundaries and Expectations

The property owner or manager will provide you with a list of rules or responsibilities before you move into the apartment. For the most part, these rules will resemble the conditions included in a typical lease. They’ll cover guests, pet policies, property damage, and other basic issues.

In addition to the formal rules, each renter on the property will have their own expectations and preferred way of doing things. Ask your roommates about their expectations, and be prepared to honor them.

It’s important to establish your own boundaries once you start co-living in NYC as well. Make it a point to address your privacy, grocery storage, medical needs, allergies, and similar topics. You might find that you share some of the same preferences and concerns as your roommates.

Exchange Contact Information

While co-living in NYC, there will be times when you’ll need to contact your roommates. For example, if you misplace your key, you might need their help to get into the apartment. You could also have a medical issue that requires the help of someone nearby.

No matter what happens while you’re co-living in NYC, make sure you can contact your roommates. Phone calls and text messages are the best methods for sudden emergencies. Use emails or handwritten notes for less pressing matters, such as reminding your roommates not to discard your empty prescription bottles.

Establish Regular Communication

One of the biggest advantages of co-living in NYC is that finding a roommate is no longer a major concern.

The property manager will take on the burden of filling rental vacancies, and you’ll never have to pay more to make up for the lack of renters. When you live with roommates, you’re only responsible for the relationships you have with them.

Staying in touch with your roommates can benefit everyone in the rental. For example, you might discuss your shopping habits with the other renters. If two or more people in the unit buy the same products, you might save on your grocery costs by purchasing those items in bulk.

Arrange Social Events for You and Your Roommates

Common ground makes co-living in NYC more enjoyable and rewarding. It’s easier to find shared interests when you ask your roommates about their hobbies and recreational activities. You might discover that there are things you can do together or be given an opportunity to pick up a new activity or interest.

Once you learn more about your roommates’ personalities and interests, consider arranging events they’ll enjoy. Ideally, you’ll want to choose something that gets you out of the apartment so you and your roommates can relax and have fun.

Socializing with your roommates will help you build stronger and more trusting relationships with them. This is a good way to create a sense of community in the apartment.

Respect Everyone’s Need for Privacy

One disadvantage of co-living in NYC is that renters sometimes feel uneasy about their need for solitude.

You shouldn’t feel rude for wanting to indulge in some alone time. Just let your roommates know when you want to spend time by yourself. Set rules about knocking on your bedroom door when it’s closed, put up “do not disturb” signs, and set other boundaries as needed.

You should also be willing to respect everyone else’s need for privacy. Make notes to help you remember which roommates are okay with you entering their rooms unannounced and which would prefer that you knock. The best way to enjoy your privacy is by showing that you’re prepared to accommodate others’.

Create a Process for Resolving Conflicts

Since renters all have their own distinct personalities, preferences, schedules, and hang-ups, co-living in NYC creates an environment where conflicts may arise from time to time. It’s a good idea to set up a system for resolving disputes in order to prevent small issues from turning into big problems.

If everyone agrees on a resolution method, conflicts are less likely to get out of hand. For instance, you might make a rule that everyone separates for one hour before discussing the problem.

Another good practice is to have an impartial roommate (someone without any personal stake in the issue) mediate the discussion. Find a method of resolving conflicts that works well for your group.

Be Open to New Cultural Experiences

When co-living in NYC, you’ll share living spaces with people you don’t know. Your roommates will come from diverse and unfamiliar backgrounds. Instead of letting yourself feel uneasy, use the situation as an opportunity to be curious and learn about other people and their cultures.

Keep an open mind and show an interest in your roommates. Don’t be afraid to share your own cultural beliefs and practices with them as well. You can also take these experiences into your professional life to help you promote diversity in your workplace.

Find Your Perfect Co-Living Rental in NYC

Roomrs has co-living rentals in almost every NYC neighborhood, and our properties come with lots of exciting amenities. You can trust our speedy application and screening process to help you meet your important move-in deadline. To get started, browse our room rentals in NYC today.