For the most part, living with your family is fairly stress-free — sure, there will be arguments and tension at times, but family is family, and we often tend to be more forgiving and more willing to overlook each other’s shortcomings. However, living in a co-living space is a different experience altogether. Here are some examples of co-living challenges, interpersonal or otherwise, and how you can overcome them.
Lack of Privacy
One of the most common challenges faced in co-living spaces is a lack of privacy as most facilities are communal, whether it’s the kitchen, the laundry area, or even the bathroom. The only thing that is truly yours is your room, which, in most cases, is the equivalent of a small bedroom. Yet, co-living spaces remain a popular choice because it’s generally cheaper than a serviced apartment rental in Singapore. To find a compromise between the two spectrums, Coliwoo’s co-living spaces combine the best of both worlds by offering residents fully furnished rooms that come with their own en-suite bathrooms, kitchenettes, washer-cum-dryer and workspaces — everything you need to maintain a healthy level of privacy whilst keeping social spaces like communal lounge to encourage interactions amongst residents.
Safety Concerns
Safety is another hot-button topic when it comes to co-living spaces. Is it safe for you to be living in such close proximity to this many people from all walks of life, all over the world? After all, you barely even know them and now you’re sharing communal spaces with them. Fortunately, most co-living spaces have security features like round-the-clock CCTV and security guards. In addition, Coliwoo’s rooms all come with digital smart locks for an extra layer of security. You can also do your part to stay safe by following the same simple steps you would when you’re travelling — keep your valuables stowed away in the safe box provided in your room.
Getting Along with Different Folks
As mentioned earlier, we tend to be more forgiving living with family, but when it comes to sharing a co-living space with other people, we do need to be more aware and sensitive about each other’s personalities and cultures, especially if our residents come from all over the world. The last thing you’d want to do is create unnecessary friction between yourself and other co-residents, more so if you’re renting a long-term serviced apartment in Singapore where you’ll be seeing familiar faces for quite some time. A good starting point is to always treat other residents with respect, and to be mindful about the things you say and do. Some things are acceptable in certain cultures and some, not so — it can be confusing to figure that out, but as you spend more time interacting with them, you will eventually have a rough idea.
Living Independently
Chances are, getting a serviced apartment rental in Singapore would be your first time living independently. If you haven’t been paying attention to the various aspects of home living, such as managing finances, paying bills, or even cooking your own meals, this will present a steep learning curve for you. However, getting the hang of managing these responsibilities is perfectly doable with sufficient discipline. For instance, you’ll learn how to set aside budgets for different kinds of living expenses and diligently stick to them in order to continue living independently. Another important skill to have is to seek help for things you may not know. Here at Coliwoo, we have a dedicated operation team that will help you with a whole range of queries and maintenance issues, including changing of lightbulb. Simply drop them a call or WhatsApp text and help will be on its way.
Venturing out on your own can be a daunting move, and so is having to interact with an international co-living community, but the learning experience you get from living independently is invaluable and will shape you to be a more resilient and responsible person in the long run. With Coliwoo, we’re by your side in every step of your new life journey. For more information about our rooms and services, please visit our website.
