Boom of “coliving”, this concept from the United States which reinvents colocation

They are eighteen to live in a huge house in the center of Marseille. Eighteen coliverse, as they are called, coming from all walks of life, students, young workers, people in professional transfer or expatriates. Here, they have their private space, bedroom, studio or T2 with shower and toilet, and share large common areas: two kitchens, a laundry room, a living room, a garden, terraces and even a cinema room. A coworking space is also at their disposal. And above all everything is included in the rent: cleaning twice a week, water, linen, electricity and internet.

As Olivier, one of the occupants of the moment, says, it’s a bit like a hotel, but cheaper and with a real lease. Moreover, these residences follow the codes of the hotel industry in terms of decoration and layout. And like in hotels, some places co-living offer a spa, a gym, a concierge service and sometimes even a bar and restaurant open to outsiders for even more conviviality. The spaces of coworking are also often accessible to non-residents on subscription. In Marseille and Aix, around ten residences of co-living already exist, more than a hundred throughout the country, and many new places will emerge in the coming months, because the demand explodes, especially from students, scalded by the loneliness suffered during confinement.

I didn’t like it at all, I didn’t see anyone anymore. Suddenly, I decided to open up and enter a coliving at eighteen. I was a little reluctant at first since I had never had this kind of experience, but in the end I love it.

Noé Plantevin, alias Lanoï

Coliver (and rapper)