Co-living as a new life style of young adults: Perceptions and social values

Abstract

Co-living or shared housing has become popular as an emerging housing option for young adults in many global megacities. Sharing houses itself is not a new phenomenon. Because co-living allows residents to save rents by sharing parts of their home such as living room and a kitchen, informal shared housing is often found in slum areas of developing countries due to the shortage of houses and expensive rent in the rapid urbanization process. Housing cost-burden of young adults still matters in developed countries, but co-living could be also considered as a new life style for young singles in these countries. Young single person households could choose shared housing because not only affordable rent but also social and cultural needs. But, little is known about housing perceptions of house sharers and social values of co-living communities. In order to have a better understanding of the housing perception and social values regarding co-living, this study conducted a survey with a sample of 830 people in Seoul, South Korea. We compared the perception of house-shares with that of residents in general housing. The results showed that house-shares prefer to live in more safe and secure houses and enjoy social relationship with housemates. Further, residents in co-living communities are more likely to spend money on cultural and leisure activities instead of saving rent. The results and findings of this study could provide meaningful implications for housing policy and planning for young adults.