Housing in the United States is at a crossroads. Skyrocketing rents, a shortage of affordable homes, and evolving lifestyle needs have led many to seek alternatives to the traditional apartment or suburban house.
Enter co-living – a modern take on communal living that’s rapidly gaining traction as a forward-looking solution. Co-living spaces, where residents have private bedrooms but share kitchens, living areas, and other amenities, are emerging as a future of housing that benefits everyone. This trend isn’t just for backpacking millennials or tech workers; it’s a movement poised to convince people of all ages and backgrounds that sharing a home can be better for individuals, communities, and even investors.
In this blog, we’ll explore what co-living is, the trends driving its rise in 2025, and why it makes sense for all stakeholders – from young professionals to retirees, from urban cores to suburbs – to embrace co-living as the future of housing in the USA.
What Is Co-living? A Modern Communal Lifestyle
Co-living is essentially a modern form of shared housing designed to offer a blend of private space and community living. In a co-living arrangement, individuals typically rent a private bedroom (often with an en-suite bathroom) within a larger home or building, while sharing common facilities like kitchens, lounges, laundry rooms, coworking areas, or gyms with their housemates.
- In many ways it’s like an upgraded version of having roommates, with added convenience and amenities. According to one definition, co-living combines private living spaces with communal areas – tenants enjoy their own room but share facilities such as kitchens, living rooms, and other amenities with a group of housemates .
- These spaces are usually fully furnished and move-in ready, with utilities and services included. In fact, co-living companies often provide all-inclusive pricing that covers rent, electricity, Wi-Fi, cleaning services, and even furniture, making it a hassle-free experience for residents.
- Co-living properties come in many forms. Some are large, purpose-built buildings (even converted hotels or apartment blocks) split into dormitory-style flats with dozens of residents. Others are simply spacious houses or apartments remodeled to accommodate multiple unrelated adults under one roof.
- In both cases, flexible lease terms are common – you might rent month-to-month or for 3-6 months at a time, instead of being locked into a year-long contract. Many co-living operators also organize community events and have house rules or apps to coordinate house activities, aiming to foster a sense of community among people who start out as strangers.
It’s worth noting that while “co-living” is a buzzword of the 2020s, the concept isn’t entirely new. Early 20th-century America had boarding houses, dormitories, and Single-Room Occupancy (SRO) hotels serving similar purposes. Those largely faded due to mid-century zoning laws that discouraged shared housing. Now in 2025, co-living represents a renaissance of communal living – updated for modern tastes and needs. High-quality design, professional management, and digital platforms set today’s co-living spaces apart from the communal housing of the past. They are, as one resident put it, essentially “adult dorm rooms, but not” – private and comfortable, yet embedded in a community by design .
Trends Driving the Co-living Boom in 2025
Why is co-living taking off now? A convergence of social and economic trends has made co-living not only attractive but in many cases necessary. Here are some of the key trends pushing the rise of co-living as the future of housing:
- Housing Affordability Crisis: Traditional housing has become prohibitively expensive in many cities. Rents and home prices have outpaced wages for years, squeezing especially younger and single renters. Analysts note that rising real estate costs are a primary factor behind growing interest in co-living . By sharing a home, residents can split costs and live in desirable locations without shouldering the full burden of sky-high rent alone. Co-living is emerging as a response to this affordability crunch – offering “affordable housing solutions in urban centers” by allowing people to share resources and reduce living costs.
- Urbanization and Housing Shortage: The population in many U.S. metro areas continues to grow, and new housing construction hasn’t kept up. Researchers estimate the nation needs millions more housing units to meet demand. Co-living maximizes housing supply by fitting more people into the same space (e.g. turning one big house or apartment into home for several individuals). Cities that have updated zoning laws to allow higher occupancy and creative housing models are seeing co-living as a partial solution to the housing shortage. For example, cities like Austin and Denver have eased rules on unrelated adults living together or on accessory dwelling units, making it easier to establish co-living homes. This trend of “progressive zoning laws supporting higher-density living” is enabling co-living to flourish where traditional development struggled.
- Flexible Lifestyles & Remote Work: The way people live and work has fundamentally changed, especially after the remote work revolution. Flexibility is the new mantra – many professionals aren’t tied to one office or one city anymore. Co-living directly caters to this lifestyle. With short-term leases and furnished units, you can move to a new city for a few months for a gig or work remotely from anywhere without the headache of setting up a whole apartment. Co-living spaces often include coworking areas or work-friendly lounges to accommodate the rise of hybrid and remote workers. As one industry source notes, co-living has adapted by offering high-speed internet, workstations, and collaborative spaces to support professionals who blend remote and in-office work. This has even given rise to rural and destination co-living spaces, where digital nomads live together for a season in a scenic locale while working remotely.
- Delayed Marriage & Changing Demographics: Americans are getting married and having children later in life, which means more years spent living as single adults. Rather than living alone, many singles prefer the built-in social life of having housemates. In fact, the number of young adults living alone has decreased over the past decade, a trend partly attributed to economic pressures and lifestyle changes. Co-living aligns with this demographic shift by providing an immediate community for people relocating to new cities or those who simply don’t want to live in isolation. It’s no coincidence that co-living first gained popularity among Gen Z and millennials, but interestingly, it’s now expanding to other age groups too. There are co-living communities tailored to students, and even new models emerging for seniors who want to age in community rather than in traditional retirement homes.
- Social Connection and Wellness: Modern life has a loneliness problem – a “loneliness epidemic,” as some call it – especially in large cities where neighbors often remain strangers. Co-living is inherently designed to combat social isolation by bringing people together. The sense of community is a major draw for co-living residents. Common areas aren’t just about saving space; they create organic opportunities for interaction, friendship, and support networks. Many co-living operators double down on this by organizing group outings, shared meals, game nights, yoga classes, or other wellness activities. This emphasis on community and wellness reflects a cultural trend: people now prioritize experiences and connections, not just square footage. Co-living housing often includes wellness amenities like gyms, meditation rooms, or access to outdoor spaces. It’s housing with a built-in social life and healthy lifestyle options, which appeals to those who might find a one-bedroom apartment too isolating or static.
- Technology and Convenience: The rise of proptech (property technology) has also enabled co-living’s growth. Digital platforms make it easier to match roommates, manage leases, and handle the logistics of shared living. Many co-living spaces have their own apps for payments, maintenance requests, or even social functions. Keyless entry systems, smart home gadgets, and security tech help multiple unrelated people live together safely and conveniently. Technology integration isn’t just a perk; it’s becoming an expectation in co-living, attracting tech-savvy residents and streamlining operations. All these conveniences mean that co-living today doesn’t feel like a compromise. Instead, it can feel like an upgrade – you get hotel-like services in your home (cleaning, furnishing, utilities ready to go) and the connectivity of modern apps to simplify living with housemates.
- Supportive Policies and Investments: Finally, co-living’s momentum has caught the attention of both policymakers and investors. On the policy side, some local governments are revisiting old regulations that limited shared housing. There’s growing recognition that encouraging co-living can help expand affordable housing options. For instance, experts at The Pew Charitable Trusts point out that building small co-living units is more cost-effective and could produce “two to four times more” units with the same budget compared to traditional apartments. Converting under-used buildings (like vacant offices or hotels) into co-living residences is another policy-backed trend to rejuvenate cities and increase housing supply. On the investment side, co-living is no longer viewed as an eccentric niche; it’s a burgeoning real estate sector attracting serious capital. Global co-living market size estimates vary, but analysts project it to reach roughly $10 billion by 2025 in value , with double-digit annual growth rates. This growth has led to increased institutional investment, with major real estate developers and funds financing co-living projects.
A Better Deal for Residents: Affordability, Flexibility, Community
One of the strongest arguments for co-living is how it benefits the people who live in these spaces. In co-living, residents often find a better quality of life than they could afford or achieve on their own. Here are some of the key benefits that are convincing individuals to choose co-living:
- Affordability: Co-living often costs significantly less per person than renting a self-contained studio or one-bedroom apartment in the same area. By splitting rent and utilities among several housemates, each person pays a fraction of what they would solo. Furthermore, co-living rents usually include furniture, appliances, and essentials (like Wi-Fi, electricity, water, even housekeeping), so you’re saving on those expenses too . One housing report notes that sharing a home with others is “a lot more affordable than renting a studio or one-bedroom apartment, especially when additional costs like furniture and utilities are factored in” . In pricey cities, this can be the difference that lets someone live close to their job or in a vibrant neighborhood they love, rather than being forced to live far away or in substandard housing.
- Convenience & Turnkey Living: Co-living is typically move-in ready and hassle-free. Forget spending weekends assembling IKEA furniture or setting up cable and utility accounts – it’s all taken care of. Bedrooms come furnished or at least with basics like a bed and wardrobe, and common areas are fully equipped with sofas, TVs, kitchenware, etc. Many co-living homes include professional cleaning services for common areas and even things like shared supplies (toilet paper, soap) stocked, so residents can focus on living rather than household chores. This convenience is a huge plus for busy professionals or students. As noted earlier, co-living operators pride themselves on offering “turn-key amenities” – everything from high-speed internet to a coffee maker is ready when you arrive. For someone relocating to a new city, this ease of transition is invaluable: just bring your suitcase and you’re home. Flexible lease terms add to the convenience. You don’t have to commit to a year; if your job or plans change, you can move out with minimal penalties, which is rarely the case in traditional rentals.
- Built-in Community and Social Life: Perhaps the most celebrated aspect of co-living is the community it creates. Unlike a typical apartment building where you might barely know the neighbor across the hall, co-living is intentionally designed for interaction. Residents share not just spaces but often experiences – cooking together in the kitchen, unwinding in a shared living room, or exploring the city as a group of new friends. Many co-living houses have regular dinners, movie nights, game nights or other events to bond the housemates. This social environment can be a huge benefit, especially for people who are new to town or working remotely (and thus missing the socializing that happens in a traditional office). The shared living spaces organically encourage casual meetups – you bump into someone making coffee in the kitchen and end up chatting about your day. Over time, these daily interactions bloom into friendships or at least a sense of belonging. As one resident in a co-living house described, after moving out of a isolating solo apartment into co-living, “community is already built-in”, and you’re no longer coming home to an empty, lonely space . This can greatly improve one’s mental health and happiness. Co-living also inherently promotes diversity and learning – you might live with people from different professions, cultures, or age groups, which broadens everyone’s horizons and support networks. In 2025, with loneliness on the rise in many cities, this aspect of co-living is a powerful draw.
- Flexibility and Adventure: For those who crave flexibility or a touch of adventure, co-living is an ideal setup. Want to spend three months in Los Angeles, then a few months in Miami? Co-living companies often have properties in multiple cities, enabling “live anywhere” arrangements. Or maybe you just signed a short-term contract job in a new city – co-living gives you a short lease and instant community, so you can hit the ground running. This flexibility is not only convenient but also empowering; your housing can now adapt to your life, instead of forcing your life to fit a 12-month lease. Some co-living operators even let you swap locations within their network. The rise of “pop-up” co-living experiences is another trend – temporary co-living setups for, say, the duration of a festival, a month-long retreat, or a season. All these options mean residents can experiment with living in different places and with different people, a lifestyle that simply wasn’t feasible with traditional rentals. In co-living, home becomes a more fluid concept, which appeals to modern nomadic workers, travel enthusiasts, and anyone who values freedom in their living situation.
Modern co-living homes provide inviting communal living rooms where residents can relax and socialize as part of their daily life. These shared spaces are typically fully furnished and professionally designed for comfort, offering a homier atmosphere than a sterile apartment complex lobby. Common areas – like the chic lounge pictured above – serve as the heart of the co-living community, hosting movie nights, group meetings or just impromptu conversations after work. By combining privacy in one’s own room with vibrant social spaces right outside the door, co-living creates a balance between independence and camaraderie.
Coliving is a Win-Win for Investors and Developers
- Higher Rental Yields: Co-living can generate more income from a property than traditional rentals. The logic is simple: by renting individual rooms (with shared common spaces), an owner can collect rent from multiple tenants under one roof, often exceeding what they’d get from a single family or tenant. A recent market analysis found that co-living spaces tend to generate 15–30% more revenue than traditional rentals on a per-unit basis . For example, imagine a 4-bedroom house that might normally rent to a family for $2,000/month; as a co-living home, those four bedrooms could be rented to four individuals at $600 each, bringing in $2,400 and possibly more if utilities or services are bundled for additional fees. The all-inclusive services (furniture, cleaning, utilities) allow co-living operators to charge a premium rent, yet tenants are willing to pay because their total living cost is still lower than renting alone . This model, when managed well, boosts the revenue potential of residential properties significantly.
- Strong Demand & Low Vacancy: For investors, empty rooms are lost income. Co-living helps mitigate that with high demand and occupancy rates. In many co-living setups, if one roommate moves out, the operator can quickly fill that single room without having to re-lease the entire unit – a much more efficient turn over process. Given the affordability advantage and lifestyle appeal discussed, it’s not uncommon for co-living properties to enjoy minimal vacancy (often below 5%) . Essentially, there’s a large pool of renters – young professionals, students, traveling nurses, digital nomads, etc. – constantly looking for flexible housing, so a well-located co-living house can stay near fully occupied year-round. This ensures a steady cash flow for owners. Even during economic downturns, demand for affordable housing stays high, which can make co-living relatively resilient compared to luxury rentals.
- Growing Market and Scalability: The co-living sector’s rapid growth means new opportunities for investment and business expansion. We’re seeing not only start-ups but also established real estate firms entering the co-living space, converting buildings or constructing new ones designed specifically for communal living. With the market projected to reach billions of dollars in the next decade , early investors are positioning themselves to ride that wave. Some investors are attracted to co-living as an impact investment – it addresses a social need (housing affordability and community) while still being profitable. There’s also potential for economies of scale: a company operating dozens of co-living homes can centralize management, marketing, and maintenance, driving down per-unit costs. The year 2025 finds co-living maturing as an asset class; in fact, institutional investors are funding large co-living projects, signaling confidence that this is not a fad but a sustainable sector. The entrance of bigger players also means more professional management and standardization, which further improves the product and draws in more residents – a positive feedback loop for investors.
- Adaptive Reuse and Development Incentives: Co-living can be a clever solution for landlords or cities dealing with unused properties. For instance, the glut of vacant office buildings (due to remote work) or old hotels can be converted into co-living apartments relatively quickly and cost-effectively. This not only gives investors a new use for a stagnant asset, but often local governments support such conversions through incentives or faster permitting because it helps tackle the housing shortage. Likewise, developers can utilize smaller or oddly shaped lots to build co-living housing where a conventional apartment project might not pencil out. From an investment standpoint, co-living allows for creative deals and partnerships – e.g. a developer might partner with a co-living operator who brings in the expertise of community management, while the developer handles the construction. We’re even seeing real estate crowdfunding being used to fund co-living projects, inviting small investors to own a share of these properties, which democratizes the investment side of housing. All told, co-living presents a fresh, profitable approach in an industry hungry for innovation.
- Positive Social Impact (and Marketability): More investors today are considering the social impact of their real estate ventures. Co-living scores well on this front: it provides more affordable housing units, fosters community, and can contribute to revitalizing neighborhoods by filling vacant buildings with young, active residents. Cities like Los Angeles, New York, and San Francisco have struggled with housing shortages and homelessness, and while co-living isn’t a silver bullet, it’s part of the toolkit to address these issues. Knowing that “creating more co-living units would help low- and moderate-income renters find housing they can afford”, some investors see co-living as a chance to do good and do well financially. This narrative can also be a marketing advantage – co-living projects often brand themselves as community-focused and socially conscious, which can attract both tenants and investors who value those qualities. In a way, investing in co-living is investing in the future of how people want to live: more connected, less isolated. That future-proofing aspect is a compelling argument for those looking at long-term real estate trends.
Community and Society: Broader Impacts of Co-living
Beyond the direct benefits to residents and investors, co-living carries broader positive impacts for communities and society at large. If co-living continues to grow, we can expect it to influence how neighborhoods develop and how cities address housing needs:
- Easing the Housing Crisis: Co-living makes more efficient use of housing stock. By accommodating more people per building, it effectively adds units to the market without requiring as much land or new construction as traditional housing. This could be especially valuable in cities where buildable land is scarce. Public policy think tanks observe that because “small co-living units cost much less to build than traditional apartments,” any subsidies or investments in housing can stretch 2-4 times further when applied to co-living projects, creating significantly more units for the same cost. In practical terms, a city could incentivize developers to include co-living floors in new developments or to convert old motels into co-living residences, quickly boosting the supply of affordable units. More housing supply helps put downward pressure on rents overall, which benefits the community.
- Revitalizing Underused Spaces: Co-living can breathe new life into areas with vacant buildings or underutilized properties. We’ve touched on converting offices to living spaces – an idea that gained momentum around 2025 as remote work left many commercial buildings half-empty. Transforming these into co-living apartments means downtown districts can gain residents (who will support local businesses and enliven the area after 5 PM). It’s a creative form of urban renewal. Similarly, big single-family homes that might be too large or expensive for one family can be repurposed as co-living houses, bringing more population density (and vibrancy) into suburban neighborhoods in a gentle way. Co-living thus blurs the line between traditional urban and suburban living, spreading the benefits of density – like walkable communities and efficient use of infrastructure – to more places.
- Environmental Sustainability: Sharing living space can also be greener than everyone owning their own large home. Co-living promotes a sort of built-in sustainability: when people share appliances, utilities, and space, they typically consume less energy and water per person. One kitchen serving 5 people uses fewer resources than 5 separate kitchens, for example. Co-living operators are increasingly adopting eco-friendly practices as well – from energy-efficient appliances to recycling programs and even green building materials. Moreover, by housing more people in existing neighborhoods, co-living can help reduce urban sprawl (which means less traffic and pollution from long commutes). Many co-living residences are located in walkable or transit-friendly areas, enabling residents to live with a smaller carbon footprint. While exact data is still being gathered, the sustainability trend in co-living is strong, aligning with global efforts to make housing more environmentally responsible. Young renters in particular are mindful of sustainability, so this is both a social and a market-driven benefit.
- Fostering Social Cohesion: In an era where many communities feel fragmented, co-living introduces a model of intentional community-building. It can foster social cohesion not just within the house but in the broader neighborhood. Co-living houses often engage with local businesses (like frequenting nearby cafes or markets as a group) and sometimes organize neighborhood events. Some co-living communities even have a volunteering or community service component, where residents collectively partake in local improvement projects. Additionally, the diversity often found in co-living – people from different walks of life sharing a home – can promote greater understanding and social integration. This is true for multicultural exchange and for intergenerational friendship; for example, a multigenerational co-living community might pair college students with retirees, to the benefit of both (the students gain mentors and surrogate family, the older folks stay socially active and engaged with youth). These kinds of innovative social arrangements could help combat age segregation and cultural silos that have developed in traditional housing setups.
- Redefining “Home” and Well-being: On a cultural level, the rise of co-living is gradually redefining what “home” means. Home is no longer just one’s private castle; it can also be a community experience. This shift can have positive psychological effects. Humans are social creatures, and many find that having a support network at home – people to talk to at the end of the day, to share a meal with – improves their well-being. Co-living can reduce stress (someone’s always around to help or listen), increase a sense of safety (there are people to watch out for each other), and generally make day-to-day life more fun. In neighborhoods, a co-living house can become a hub of activity and friendliness, which sometimes spreads to neighbors in adjacent homes. Instead of the silent apartment where everyone keeps to themselves, co-living can create a little community on the block. Of course, co-living isn’t for everyone – some cherish solitude – but the broader effect is that Americans are experimenting with more communal notions of living, and that could pay dividends in societal happiness.
Shared spaces like kitchens in co-living houses become natural gathering spots for residents, sparking organic interactions and a sense of camaraderie. A well-designed communal kitchen (like the one shown above) isn’t just a place to cook; it’s where housemates swap recipes, share stories over dinner, and form lasting friendships. By dining and spending time together, co-living residents often build the kind of support network that many people miss in traditional housing. As one co-living resident described, after moving out of a typical apartment building (where “90 percent of the people were aged 60-plus and I didn’t know anybody”), joining a co-living home meant “you just kind of sit at home, and Netflix [was] your best friend” no more – instead, “community is already built-in” to daily life . In this way, co-living directly combats social isolation by turning ordinary spaces like kitchens into hubs of human connection.
Co-living for All: From Cities to Suburbs, Young to Old
A key point worth reiterating is that co-living is not limited to one demographic or locale. It’s a versatile concept that is expanding across the map and across age groups in 2025:
Urban, Suburban, and Beyond:
Co-living first gained fame in big, expensive cities (New York, San Francisco, L.A.) where the need for affordable options was greatest. But today, co-living communities are appearing in mid-sized cities and even suburban areas. Places like Austin, Denver, Atlanta, and Dallas have embraced co-living, fueled by incoming young professionals and supportive housing policies. In suburbs or smaller towns, co-living can take the form of a large house on a quiet street that brings together people who might otherwise be isolated in separate apartments. Interestingly, the rise of remote work has led to destination co-living – imagine a co-living lodge in a mountain town or near a beach, where a group of remote workers live for a season while enjoying a new environment. These arrangements mean that co-living’s benefits (affordability, community, flexibility) are not confined to Manhattan high-rises; they can apply just as well to a converted farmhouse in rural America where a handful of telecommuters live and work together. In all areas, co-living tends to create a positive impact by making housing more attainable and bringing people together.
All Ages and Life Stages
While many co-living spaces target 20-somethings and 30-somethings, the concept is evolving to welcome other groups. Senior co-living is an emerging trend – essentially communal living for older adults who prefer to age in place with peers rather than live alone or in a regimented retirement facility. These senior co-living homes might have additional support services (like meal provision or healthcare coordination) but maintain the same philosophy of shared spaces and community. There are also family-oriented co-living experiments (cohousing communities where multiple families share common facilities and maybe childcare duties) – though “cohousing” is slightly different, it overlaps with co-living values. For young people, dorm-style co-living has long existed in the form of college dorms; what’s new is that post-college, this option remains available and appealing. Even business travelers and digital nomads use co-living: some companies rent co-living units for employees on temporary assignments, and globetrotters hop between co-living sites in different cities to experience the world without giving up the comforts of a home base . The bottom line is that co-living’s inclusive, flexible nature makes it adaptable to virtually anyone – whether you’re a recent grad starting your career, a divorced single parent seeking a supportive household, or a retiree wanting companionship. This universality is why so many believe co-living is not just a trend for one group, but a fundamental shift in housing that can benefit society at large.
Why Co-living Is the Future of Housing
Co-living spaces in 2025 stand at the intersection of economic necessity, technological enablement, and cultural evolution. They offer a compelling answer to some of the most pressing housing questions of our time: How can we make cities affordable? How do we build housing that caters to modern, mobile lifestyles? How can living arrangements foster wellbeing and community? Co-living addresses all of these. It makes sense for residents by offering affordability, convenience, and a richer social life. It makes sense for property owners and investors by unlocking new value and keeping occupancy high. And it even makes sense for cities and society by adding housing supply, repurposing unused buildings, and knitting tighter communities.
Of course, co-living is not a panacea for every housing issue – we still need many solutions, from single-family homes to large apartments, to fully solve the housing crisis. But the rapid growth of co-living indicates that it fulfills a real need that traditional housing hasn’t met: the need for flexible, community-oriented living in an era of change. As one report succinctly put it, “co-living is gaining momentum” thanks to forces like rising housing costs, urban population growth, and the demand for flexible lifestyles . Those forces aren’t abating any time soon, which means co-living is likely here to stay and to grow.
Imagine a future a decade from now where co-living is as common a choice as renting a solo apartment – you might browse both options side by side. Many people will opt for the co-living experience for the reasons we’ve discussed. We may see entire co-living neighborhoods, or hybrid buildings that mix private apartments with co-living floors. The spirit of co-living – emphasizing sharing, community, and adaptability – could even influence how all housing is designed.
For anyone reading who is curious about co-living, 2025 is a great time to explore it. Whether you’re a renter looking for a better living experience, an investor eyeing the next big opportunity in real estate, or a policymaker searching for innovative housing solutions, co-living deserves your attention. It represents a future of housing that is more inclusive, affordable, and communal. In a society that often feels divided and expensive, that future is one that can truly benefit us all – making co-living not just a trend, but a transformative movement in how we live and thrive together.
Sources:
- PadSplit Host Resources – Top U.S. cities for co-living in 2025 and why co-living is gaining momentum
- Everything Coliving – Top 16 Coliving Trends for 2025 (technology, wellness, senior co-living, cost of living, investment, etc.)
- Bungalow Blog – What is co-living and why is it popular? (definition, benefits for young people)
- Pew Charitable Trusts – Housing Policy Initiative: Co-living to address affordable housing (modern SROs, office conversions)
- Nevastate Report – Co-living & Coworking Real Estate Market 2025 (market size $10B, reasons for popularity, investor returns 15–30% more revenue)
- Architectural Digest – Firsthand account of living in a Common co-living house (community experience and layout)