Discover shared living at its best with the launch of our FRIENDS shared living apartments in Haarlem, coming your way this September. In this blog, explore what shared living is, why it’s gaining popularity, and the many advantages of this way of living.

What is shared living? 

Shared living, also known by many as co-living, is an increasingly popular housing model where two (or more) individuals share a living room, kitchen – and often the bathroom too – while having their own private bedroom. This way, it's suitable to live together with someone other than a partner. Think of living with a friend, sibling, cousin, or colleague. Great if you're looking for both companionship and personal space while balancing social interaction and privacy.

At Holland2Stay, we tuned this shared living concept into FRIENDS apartments at Ceylonpoort in Haarlem. As the name suggests, you can live here together with a friend. However, it's also allowed to team up with your brother, sister, cousin, or colleague. Ceylonpoort houses 20 of these FRIENDS apartments. The apartments feature a living room, kitchen, and balcony to be shared, and two private bedrooms – both with ensuite bathrooms.

Model apartment at Ceylonpoort in Haarlem. 

Shared living is trending

In today's housing market, shared living is gaining in popularity. One of the main reasons is the rising cost of housing, especially in big cities like Amsterdam, Rotterdam, and Utrecht. Shared living provides an affordable alternative, allowing you to split rent and utilities while still enjoying a comfortable space. 

Additionally, the shift towards more flexible, community-oriented lifestyles has made shared living attractive, especially to young professionals, students, and expats. People are more and more looking for housing options that offer both a sense of community and personal privacy. Shared living is the perfect balance between these two. 

In addition to sharing a home, sharing other spaces in the building with your fellow residents has been an ongoing trend for years too. Shared spaces make it a lot easier to meet others. Meeting points, roof terraces, and in-house gyms are ideal places to connect with neighbors or build a circle of acquaintances in a new city. As an example, Ceylonpoort features a shared in-house gym and shared laundry facility.

Why shared living works so well

Everyone knows that living together with someone is practical, more affordable, and (mostly) a socially rewarding experience. Let's break down some of the advantages of shared living.

• Cost-saving
  Shared living allows tenants to split the cost of rent and utilities, making it an affordable housing option. In cities where housing costs are rising, such as Amsterdam, Rotterdam, or Utrecht, this makes a significant difference. You get more space for less money by sharing common areas like kitchens and living rooms while enjoying your own private sanctuary when you need it.
  
  
• Living better, together
  One of the major benefits of shared living is the sense of community it fosters. Living with someone else creates a support system at home. Whether you’re new to the city or simply enjoy the company, living together can make your day-to-day life more enjoyable. Besides that, being surrounded by other shared living apartments encourages social interactions. 
  
  
• Choose who you want to live with
  There are many different types of people with whom you can live. This freedom allows you to pick someone you already have a connection with, making the living experience smoother and more enjoyable. If your co-tenant leaves, you're free to choose a new person. However, keep in mind that the rent will still be due, which may be a challenge.
  
  

Interested in shared living?

Renting a place together with a friend, colleague, or family member may be an interesting possibility for you. If shared living sounds like the perfect lifestyle for you, don’t hesitate to explore our options at Holland2Stay. Our new two-bedroom apartments at Ceylonpoort are available for rent from this September. You can discover the floorplans on our website.