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Coliving is a modern approach to housing where residents have their own bedrooms but share common areas like kitchens, bathrooms, and living rooms.
Unlike traditional roommate arrangements, coliving is designed with community and collaboration in mind. For example, coliving often includes amenities and activities that encourage interaction, such as communal meals, workshops, and social events.
That said, the main difference between coliving and having roommates lies in the intentionality of the space. Colivings are specifically designed to nurture connection and provide a supportive environment for like-minded individuals.
This community mindset distinguishes coliving from simply sharing an apartment with roommates—where interactions tend to be less structured (and are more dependent on personal dynamics).
Generally speaking, digital nomads are people who use technology to work remotely, allowing them to live and travel anywhere in the world. Over the last few years, coliving has become super popular among both freelancers and digital nomads. Why? Because coliving prioritizes:
Simply put, colivings have lots of benefits that make them a great option for anyone who’s working remotely, traveling on a budget, or just looking to make friends along the way.
Sustainability is a core value of coliving spaces around the world. Here are a few ways these colivings are embracing sustainability and doing their part to protect our planet.
Shared resources in coliving is definitely a common theme—and that also applies to transportation. Most coliving communities promote shared or eco-friendly transportation options to offset carbon emissions. This can include organizing carpooling systems, providing bicycles for residents, or partnering with local public transport services like buses and trains.
By advocating for shared transportation (and being less dependent on individual vehicles), coliving spaces cut down on the total number of car trips each week. And of course, fewer car trips means less pollutants are released into our atmosphere.
Many colivings in rural areas have their own gardens where residents can grow a variety of fruits, vegetables, and herbs (which are then turned into communal meals). Not only do organic gardens in colivings provide fresh, nutritious produce, they also encourage everyone to engage in sustainable practices like composting.
Composting organic waste reduces landfill contributions and creates nutrient-rich soil to help the garden flourish. This closed-loop system is a great example of how coliving spaces can integrate sustainable agriculture and waste management practices into their communities.
Recycling is a key component of low-impact communal living. Many eco-friendly coliving spaces have comprehensive recycling programs that educate residents on proper sorting and disposal of recyclable materials. By providing clearly labeled bins for paper, plastic, metal, glass, and organic materials (AKA the compost mentioned above), coliving spaces make it easy for residents to minimize waste and contribute to a more sustainable environment.
Another common green coliving initiative is reducing energy consumption through design and technology. More simply, many colivings utilize solar power to generate some (or all) electricity for the house—which lessens the reliance on non-renewable energy sources.
Aside from lowering energy costs, solar panels also decrease the carbon footprint for the entire community. Using energy-efficient appliances and/or LED lighting are other practical options for minimizing energy usage and supporting sustainable lifestyle choices.
Reducing plastic waste is a top priority for sustainable coliving models. After all, single-use plastic is incredibly detrimental to our health and our environment as a whole.
That’s why eco-conscious community living always involves alternatives to single-use plastics. This might include reusable water bottles, shopping bags, and food containers that can be used again and again by all sorts of different colivers. Some coliving communities even implement bulk-buying systems for household essentials to minimize packaging waste.
By fostering a culture of mindfulness around plastic consumption, coliving spaces help residents make more environmentally-friendly choices without much extra effort or investment.
Ruralco, nestled in the picturesque town of Culla, Spain, is setting the standard for eco-conscious coliving with its innovative, eco-friendly practices. This rural coliving space seamlessly integrates with the natural environment, offering residents a unique blend of comfort and sustainability unlike anywhere else.
By utilizing renewable energy sources such as solar power, Ruralco minimizes its carbon footprint while ensuring efficient energy use. Along with that, the Ruralco community thrives on local and seasonal produce—supported by a flourishing community garden (and reliable composting system) that reduces waste and enriches the soil.
What’s more, Ruralco's commitment to reducing plastic consumption is evident in its emphasis on reusable products and bulk purchasing. Through this dedication to sustainable coliving projects, Ruralco not only provides a nurturing place for its residents, but it also inspires other coliving communities to embrace eco-friendly habits.
Whether you’re a digital nomad looking for a flexible living arrangement or a solo traveler committed to reducing your environmental impact, Ruralco presents an amazing opportunity to live in harmony with others and with the planet.
Learn more about sustainable coliving with the help of our FAQ section.
Coliving spaces promote sustainability through things like shared transportation, community gardens, and comprehensive recycling programs. Many colivings also use renewable energy sources, like solar power, to reduce energy consumption throughout the whole house.
Many rural coliving spaces have organic gardens where residents can grow their own produce, practice self-sufficiency, and reduce reliance on commercial farming. These gardens also encourage sustainability via composting, which enriches the soil while eliminating waste.
Most rural coliving communities have a stockpile of reusable products like water bottles, shopping bags, and food containers that can be used by all different colivers. In addition, some coliving spaces also rely on bulk-buying systems to minimize excess packaging.
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