Co-Living: The Tech World’s Approach to Shared Housing

Tackling the high cost of living in the Bay Area with a new take on renting.

Renting a one-bedroom apartment in an urban area is becoming prohibitively expensive even for the highest-paid workers. One solution: co-living. Companies nationwide are taking the roommate concept and putting a tech-campus spin on it. Tenants rent a room but share common areas, kitchens and bathrooms, and Wi-Fi is included in the deal, along with housecleaning and a calendar of community events. Here are some San Francisco examples.

Housing

Bungalow

Amenities

Furnished communal areas, monthly cleanings, Wi-Fi, kitchen essentials provided, community events, support 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Lease Length

4–18 months

Starting Rate

$1,215 for a room in S.F. (varies)

Common

Amenities

Furnished rooms and common areas, weekly cleanings, Wi-Fi and utilities included, along with high-end equipped kitchen, on-site laundry, community events.

Lease Length

6 months-plus

Starting Rate

$2,250 for a room in S.F. (varies)

Starcity

Amenities

Furnished rooms, biweekly cleanings, Wi-Fi and utilities included, fully equipped kitchen, on-site laundry, community events, 24/7 maintenance, support, extra services offered.

Lease Length

4, 6, 12 months

Starting Rate

$1,699 for a room in S.F. (varies)