Co-Living It Up!
The Future is Communal
It takes a village to raise a child.
This old adage is still relevant today because it’s true!
And it’s not just true for children. We all need our village full of fellow villagers. The desire for community is an inherently human need.
This was at the forefront of my mind last year when my husband and I were looking to move. We loved our neighborhood, but my commute to work was long past being annoying! I wanted to move closer to my job, but not at the expense of my sense of community.
Co-Living: The Right Choice For Us
We discovered Priya Living during a visit to Jay’s uncle, Suresh. From the moment we walked through the door, I was immediately drawn to the vibrant colors, the fun vibes, and the sense of being in a place where “everybody knows your name.” Having dinner on the patio with the other residents felt like being among old friends. It was so much fun, and it just felt right.
Although we have our own beautiful space at Priya, we choose to eat most of our meals in the communal dining area. This has been a huge money and time saver for us. We don’t eat out as often as we used to. We know that what we’re eating is nutritious and that it was a meal made and shared with love. We don’t have to worry about what’s for dinner or who’s cooking. And our own cooking has improved too! Not just the overall taste of the food, but the variety of dishes we make. I’m experimenting with ingredients I’ve never used before, and Jay is bringing out some of his mom’s favorite dishes. We’ve both picked up some great tips from our neighbors.
Communal Living is Intentional Living
What we have here at Priya Living, what has been consciously created, is an intentional community. There’s intent behind this multi-generational community set-up. Our shared gardens, our game nights and pool parties, and our dinners and lunches together are founded on an intent to form and cultivate our own little village.
We celebrate everything together. Festivals and holidays, of course, but also birthdays, anniversaries, friendships, or even just a random Samosa Sunday! But for me it’s also the quieter moments, in between the celebrations, that bring the true value of communal living home.
For example, if you’re sick (like I was last month) and your partner is away for business (like Jay was last month), you’re not on your own. My neighbors Rita and John checked in on me every day, bringing me soup and just keeping me company.
This is what I mean about community!
The Benefits of Human Connection
Research has shown that loneliness and social isolation are on the rise. Coupled with rising costs of living, it comes as no surprise that communal living is growing in popularity. According to a study by AARP, just over 40% of adults suffer from loneliness. Loneliness doesn’t make any demographic distinctions either: it affects single people, married people, millennials, baby boomers, new immigrants, and retirees alike.
Having a supportive community around helps us all. And that’s why this type of living style is attracting people from all age groups and backgrounds.
Because life is meant to be lived and enjoyed together. It takes a village!
Are you interested in intentional communal living? Contact us to find out more about our unique communities, and our new Fremont City Center location!