What is coliving? What you need to know!

What is coliving?

Coliving = co (together) + living. It’s a trendy housing concept: “turnkey”, furnished, connected, ready to live in. Each inhabitant – or “coliver” – has a private space (bedroom with bathroom, even kitchenette), on the one hand. And on the other, they share generous spaces conducive to encounters and special moments: kitchen, living room, gym, coworking space, garden, cinema rooms and rooftops.

Coliving isn’t just about adding services. It offers an enriched living experience, based on conviviality, simplicity and sharing. The promise: living together, without the constraints.

Who is coliving for?

Coliving attracts a wide variety of profiles, all united by the same need: to live differently, together but freely. Here are the main families of residents or “colivers” to be found in residences in France and elsewhere today:

Students looking for an alternative to traditional university residences

For many students, especially those on mobility programs (Erasmus, sandwich courses, grandes écoles…), coliving represents the perfect mix of comfort and social life. They often avoid moving into an impersonal studio on their own, or even worse, struggling to set up a shared flat. They opt for furnished, all-inclusive accommodation in a stimulating environment.

• Immediate access to the Internet, transport, shared services (laundry, gym, etc.)
• Presence of other young people their own age: ideal for quickly forging links
• Flexible leases: perfect for a semester during an internship or an academic year

“I really enjoyed my stay at Ecla de Massy Palaiseau and it was there that I met my main friends. I had my friends at school, but I think honestly, my closest group of friends I found at Ecla because I shared time with them.” – Alejandra, 24 – International student from Paraguay – Resident at Ecla Villejuif

Young professionals who refuse to be alone

Whether they’ve just graduated or are already working, many young professionals are looking for comfortable accommodation with a built-in social life.

And the icing on the cake? You don’t have to deal with the hassles of a classic shared flat (sharing the fridge, fighting over bills…).

• Quiet coworking spaces for working, but also relaxation areas
• The opportunity to meet other young professionals in a friendly atmosphere, with the chance to extend your professional network
• Services designed for their lifestyle: concierge service, a sauna, an afterwork rooftop or even a cinema!

“I work in tech, so I’m often telecommuting. Coliving offers me a real home + colleagues who share my interests.” – Damien, 26, developer, living in the Ecla Noisy-le-Grand residence, his opinion on the coworking offer in Noisy-le-Grand

Profiles on the move: expatriates, interns and professionals on assignment

Coliving is a turnkey housing solution for those arriving in an unfamiliar city. It offers administrative simplicity, immediate comfort and rapid integration thanks to the community.

• No need to manage energy contracts
• Housing ready to live in from the day of arrival
• Organized activities to network and discover the city

“I discovered the city during a short business trip. Everything was perfect, from welcome to check-out. The proximity of stations (RER, TGV) is an undeniable plus. I’ll be back for my next trips to Paris.” Truchot Cyril, professional who tried the hotel stay at the Ecla Massy-Palaiseau coliving residence

Digital nomads: freelancers and telecommuters in search of balance

• For freelancers and telecommuters, coliving is a way to work efficiently without isolating yourself.
• Coworking space, meeting room, shared kitchen, etc.
• Activities to break away from screens: sport, creative workshops, digital detox room
• A professional, dynamic and often international community

“I spend 10 hours a day on my computer. In the evenings, I need to see people. In coliving, I’ve found a good balance.” – Nassim, 32, UX designer, resident of the Ecla Paris Massy-Palaiseau residence

It’s no longer a niche market: 44% of millennials in France say they are attracted to this lifestyle, according to the 2020 coliving barometer.

Investors looking for a profitable, forward-looking investment model

Today, coliving represents an innovative real estate investment at the crossroads of profitability and social utility. Driven by changes in urban lifestyles, this rental project appeals to a young, mobile and connected target group looking for flexible, community-based living. For investors, the potential is manifold:

• A high value-added rental investment, with individualized rents. Rents are often higher than those for conventional rentals, to guarantee the services offered.
• Optimized profitability thanks to intelligent space densification. In the case of shared apartments, you can have several rents for the same property.
• Growing demand in dynamic student cities, ensuring high occupancy rates. A smart alternative to the housing crisis in some cities, where conventional housing stock has failed to deliver.
• An economically sustainable investment model, in line with the new expectations of cities and local authorities.

Faced with declining returns on commercial real estate and the constraints of conventional housing, a number of players are repositioning themselves in the coliving residences market. The Ecla brand, part of the UXCO Group, is already developing its own large-scale coliving residences in the Île-de-France region. Its ECLA Paris Massy-Palaiseau residence is the largest in Europe, with 3,000 m² of shared space, according to Les Echos newspaper.

The company has extended its coliving concept to other regions of France. Notably, with its new residence in Archamps, just outside Geneva, due to open in 2025. News that will delight those who want to work in Switzerland and live in France.

In conclusion, this is a new investment concept through hybrid real estate assets, combining stone, services and experience.

Coliving in France: trend or revolution?

In 2020, France had 2,600 coliving beds. By 2023? Over 14,500 beds. And projections are for 50,000 by the end of the decade, according to a study by Réal Valuation.

What’s driving this craze?

• Housing crisis in major cities.
• A new generation in search of meaning and social ties.
• An economy of use that favors experience over ownership.

There are many players, but Ecla stands out for its relentless efforts to offer its residents a better community experience. Where some giants see coliving as a trend and an opportunity to diversify their assets, Ecla sees it as a lever for innovation and an unprecedented opportunity to live together differently and better.