We learned about the format of such housing in Portugal quite accidentally when we were looking for a relative's accommodation. Nevertheless, such living spaces are quite common in Europe, as remote work has become something very natural in recent years, especially after the lockdown due to the coronavirus. Digital nomads or digital nomads, freelancers and students are the main audience for such housing formats. But don't give up on this option if you don't fit these definitions.
What is coliving?
Simply put, it is the living of strangers in the same living space. Wikipedia also defines it as "a type of community that provides a shared living format for people with common intentions. The hallmark of this type of housing is shared activities like eating or communicating in common living areas. It is also often furnished with a co-working space."
It seems like a hostel, doesn't it? In a sense, yes. But the important difference is that the management of the colivings is more often than not concerned with the arrangement of different common spaces, with their diversity, and with bringing people together. You are free to be alone with yourself and not participate in the local social life, and you can easily make acquaintances and have a good time. Furthermore, keep in mind that people from fields related to remote work or students often live in such accommodations, so as a rule, most of the residents have something in common.
Coliving is still a temporary accommodation, the advantage of which is also the ability to quickly change it, and move to another interesting location.
Our relative did not fit the definition of a freelancer, and the reason to choose this format was mainly the cost of living and what the tenant gets for it. It's no secret that, especially in the last year, rents have increased substantially. It is hardly worth dreaming of any acceptable separate accommodation for 700-800 euros in Lisbon, or on the coastline to Cascais.
At that time, the choice was small and none of the options we could not settle: to look for a separate accommodation with an official contract (from 1000 euros) or look for a room (the range at the time was 450-600 euros). We will not elaborate on the advantages and disadvantages of each option.
Almost desperate, we accidentally found the project Nido Studios (Smart Studios at the time).
Why this housing format was the most acceptable for us at that time:
- For a price of 650 euros (in our case) you get a separate accommodation with a kitchen and access to common areas (can be made for an additional fee). These facilities include: a shared kitchen, co-working space, lounges, gym, laundry room and, for example, at Nido in Carcavelouche, there is also a huge view terrace.
- Contracts can be made for varying periods from a day to a year (the options depend on the particular colivings).
- Colivings are often in good locations. For example, in the city center, near the sea, etc.
- You are not isolated in an apartment, you have a community of digital nomads or students around you, but at the same time you have your own space.
- The colivings have quite serious rules of silence and behavior.
- Here you can make new acquaintances in large numbers, participate in events, general dinners, get discounts for residents on various activities.
- In large colivings, there is always someone at the front desk. So in case of an emergency you have somewhere to go.
What nuances to consider:
- You enter into a contract to receive exactly the service, which means that you are supposed to have a residential address. You can receive parcels, but you can't be registered in a coliving. Although as we studied the topic, we realized that this condition can also vary from company to company.
- If you want to extend your lease after a year, for example, you may face a substantial increase in the monthly rent, unlike a long-term lease, where the landlord is limited by the law.
- For example, at Nido Studios you cannot bring an animal with you.
- You will need to buy your own linens and kitchen utensils or rent them from a coliving. An interesting point that may come in handy for you as well: before buying cookware, find out the type of stove in your future studio (regular or induction).
- It is worth clarifying whether utilities are included in the total cost.
- It is worth paying attention to defects and breakages, if there are any at the time of arrival (usually there is an inventory list, where you sign for the furniture and appliances, you should also specify this information).
Of course, it is better to study all available offers, because different companies have different conditions. We will help you and give you a list of the colivings found in Portugal.
Mainland Portugal:
- Traditional Stylish House
Located in Porto. Eight rooms of different sizes, terrace and co-working space.
- Srunning Cozy House
Located between Porto and Aveiro. There is a barbecue area, bicycles, and the possibility of ordering breakfasts for an extra fee.
- Nido Studios
Already mentioned in the text, the company has studios not only in Portugal, but also in Spain, the UK, Ireland, Denmark and Germany. They came to Portugal recently by buying Smart Studios. Now Nido owns studios in Lisbon, Porto, Carcavelos, Ajuda, Santa Apalonia, Estoril.
- Outside
Another large company whose colivings are not only in Europe. In Portugal you can find accommodation in Lisbon, Porto, Ericeira, Cascais, Sagres and Madeira.
- Selina Secret Garden
The coliving is located in the historic center of Lisbon. The shared spaces include a pool, a rooftop terrace, a bar and a co-working space. It is written that the coliving is open for pets.
- SameSame
Coliving is located in the historic center of Lisbon and is represented by all kinds of apartments. There is also a co-working space.
- Workup
Coliving in the north of Lisbon. It has a swimming pool, a co-working room, billiards, ping pong, a gym and even a recording studio with professional lighting.
- Yon
A few small colivings around Lisbon.
- Enterpreneur house
Located 30 minutes from Lisbon. It is a coliving villa with a swimming pool.
- Karma Surf Retreat
Coliving is located in the green area of Sintra. A community of surfers, nature lovers and lovers of hiking and yoga has gathered here. It offers not only a space to work, but also a retreat.
- The sea office
A small coliving with 4 apartments is located in Costa da Caparica. Reservations can be made for any period of time.
- Zmar
The coliving, coworking and eco-resort is located on its own 81 hectares of land in the Alentejo region. There is a gym, swimming pools, a large green area, many additional activities and workshops (at extra charge).
- Sunago
Coliving and co-working in Erisseira, familiar to all surfers. There's a private garden.
- Selina Peniche
Another coliving, which is aimed at fans of surfing, biking and diving. It is located near the town of Peniche.
- Pipedream
Also located in the Peniche area. There is a swimming pool, a barbecue area and a music studio.
- WOT Peniche
Lots of apartment options in the Peniche area. There's a sundeck, ping pong, bikes, breakfast and the ability to order drinks at the bar.
- Beach vibrant house
Located in the area of Lagos, in the south of the country. There is a swimming pool and an outdoor area.
- Calçada Guesthouse
Coliving in the town of Tavira in the south of the country, near the border with Spain. There is a rooftop terrace.
Азорські острови:
- Near the beach
Coliving is located on the island of San Miguel. There is a barbecue area, its own outdoor area for relaxation and games.
- Novomento
Colivings and co-working on the island of San Miguel. Prices from 25 euros per night in a shared room.
- Quinta do Bom Despacho
Eco-coliving 15 minutes walk from the center of Ponta Delgada on the island of São Miguel. The price includes the use of the scanner, drinks during the day, towels, linens, bikes, washing machine.
Madeira:
- Slowcoliving
Check-in is only possible for specific periods, which are paid at once as a tour. In this case, the declared cost is half the price of an independent booking on these dates. Trips and activities are also included.
- Home office
Prices are at the same level as in the previous colivings. The site is done in German and English, which allows you to make some assumptions about potential neighbors. There is an option to shear a rental car, which can be advantageous in price and also an option for those who do not drive.
These are not all of the existing colivings in Portugal. Many more different options can be found on Booking.com, Airbnb.com or less popular resources, such as, Coliving.com.
