If you have been around the traveling community in the past few years, dreaming of that big trip, or craving a change of scenery, I bet you’ve heard about coliving.
After many trials and tests, coliving has now proven to truly be a concept that helps people feel less lonely and less scared about taking that big leap into something new.
But if you’re new to all that, booking your first coliving place can feel very overwhelming.
With its popularization, the number of coliving spaces has grown significantly. So, if you’re just starting your coliving journey, it’s completely normal to feel lost wondering how to choose the right coliving for your first experience.
And let me tell you—it’s a very important question. Coliving is not just another Airbnb or hotel, nor is it something cheap you can risk your experience on. Most importantly, when you decide to come out of your shell and open yourself to a new community, it’s crucial that the experience ends up being fruitful and positive.
So, without further ado, from our coliving’s perspective—and inspired by others we admire—here’s a list to help you make the right choice and find a coliving that fits perfectly into what you’re looking for in life.
How to choose the suitable coliving place for yourself
While the concept of coliving is somewhere in between the lines of living with like-minded people and creating a shared experience while maintaining a regular work-life balance, it’s important to know there are different types of coliving spaces to consider when choosing the one that’s right for you.
So, first things first—what are you looking for? This is the most important question to ask.
Are you seeking a fun and relaxing community before and after work, or do you want to connect with others and get inspired to make a career shift?
Are you interested in outdoor activities and sports, or do you prefer more meaningful conversations and philosophy?
Colivings differ depending on which aspect of life they focus on and aim to enrich—physical activity, mental health, spirituality, career development, human connections, travel, etc.
But besides their focus, coliving spaces also differ in size, the people who visit, how strictly structured they are, and how they manage their community.
All of these factors are vital to consider when choosing the best coliving for yourself. So, what are some things to look for and pay attention to?
3 Important factors when choosing the right coliving (Type, size, and average stay duration)
These three factors are key when choosing the right coliving place.
Some colivings, like pop-up colivings, have limited duration and will have a stricter schedule and communal goals. Colivings like these require work flexibility or at least a willingness to spend most of your time with the community. The short stay doesn’t leave much room for introverted or lazy days.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for something dynamic, with plenty of activities and quick, deep connections, a more transient coliving could be better suited than a coworking-focused space, where stays are longer and connections grow slower.
Shorter stays tend to create quicker, more fun connections focused on relaxation and adventure, while longer stays allow for deeper but slower relationships.
Lastly, size matters. Even if two colivings share similar concepts and values, the size of the community significantly impacts the experience.
Smaller colivings often foster deeper, long-lasting connections, especially during long-term stays, but there’s also the risk of not finding a perfect match.
Larger communities offer a bigger pool of people and easier integration but can make deeper connections more challenging, as they tend to form in smaller groups.
For your first coliving experience, we recommend a smaller community. It makes the transition smoother and lets you get the most out of your stay—even if it’s shorter than 3-4 weeks, which is typical for many colivings.
Coliving Community/Guest Profile
Choosing a coliving based on the guest profile is always a good rule of thumb. Why? Well, because the main point of a coliving is the community. If you cannot find what you are looking for in people surrounding you, you will feel like you are overpaying for shared accommodation.
When choosing a coliving think of choosing the right community for yourself rather than choosing a space, and the choice will become much easier.
Different coliving concepts attract different types of people—some places may draw younger crowds, others older; some may appeal to more adventurous individuals, while others attract more introverted ones. Some colivings may attract entrepreneurs, and others, artists. To find the right community, it’s smart to consider the type of people who typically stay at each coliving space.
How to explore and investigate colivings?
So, now you know what answers to have to pick the right coliving experience and book that first coliving, but let’s now talk about how you can get to those answers.
Time needed: 39 minutes
How to explore and investigate colivings?
- Checking the coliving website
Website wording is a great cue to tell what coliving nurtures and focuses on. Clock the words they use and see if they resonate with you.
To dive even deeper, check their blog page.
Most coliving spaces have blogs where they write about what’s important for their community.
Many spaces write about their day-to-day, their values, and some even do interviews with their guests. All these things can be very helpful in determining if this place is the right fit for you. - Investigating their social media
Most if not all colivings have some type of social media, and more often than having a website at all.
Of course, not all places will dedicate a lot of time to social media, but if they do, they will showcase what goes around in their community so make use of that!
You can check their highlights and see what they like to showcase, what happens often or routinely, what activities they do, and what values they share.
Additionally, you can focus on the people they showcase. Feel free to even visit their profiles, read their bio, see if you can resonate with them, and see if you fit in easily. - Reviews
Websites and social media can be curated, so reviews can give you a clearer idea of whether a place matches its online presence. Even negative comments can be helpful—like someone saying, “Everyone worked long hours and I had no one to spend time with”—this might indicate a coworking-focused space, which could be a good fit if you prefer working during the day.
Do some research to find real feedback—places with great digital presence might not always match reality. - Ask directly
If you’re looking for something specific, reach out to the coliving owners or hosts directly.
Many colivings prioritize matching their community members, so they’ll likely be transparent about what you can or can’t expect. Many places also offer discovery calls, giving you the chance to speak with the owner or host and determine if the space is the right fit for you. - Visit in person
Sometimes you have the chance to arrange a tour to see the space and get a feeling…
How do we answer these questions at EcoIsleta?
At EcoIsleta, we know how important it is to find the perfect fit, especially for your first coliving experience.
Not everyone will find our coliving suited to their needs, which is why we stay transparent about what we value, how we operate, and what you can expect. We avoid staging posts, blogs, or stories because we want to be genuine from the start, so you can make the right decision for yourself.
Las Palmas has a large digital nomad community. Some people come here to party, others for a short escape from long winters, while some seek adventure, connection, or inspiration.
This island offers something for everyone, that’s why we want to help you decide if what’s under our roof is the right fit for you.
So, is Eco Isleta the right coliving for you?
As a small, locally owned coliving, we focus on the local experience, fostering deep connections, longer stays, and sharing the authentic charm of our beautiful La Isleta.
Our community thrives with people who are curious, humble, and come with an open heart—those who appreciate the small things and are open to sharing and listening. We make sure we show this in our blog, social media, and the events we host, which we often extend beyond our coliving.
Our coliving community might feel too small for some, or they may be seeking a different kind of accommodation. But for first-timers or those just beginning their digital nomad journeys, we believe EcoIsleta offers a great safety net, and a supportive community, and can serve as an educational resource about our island.
If you’re on the island and curious about us, we’d love to welcome you to see how we do things and what we’re passionate about. We also value connecting with our guests before they arrive, so we can get to know each other and ensure you feel at home.
Remember that ultimately, it’s about what you want. So, dig deeper, reach out, and decide if EcoIsleta feels like the right fit for your journey.
Written by… Gala from MCS: Spain, she and Marko spent a wonderful 2 months in Ecoisleta, closely living and collaborating with the Ecoisleta community…
