The commune is back, with a startup twist and $7.3 million to spend. Fast Company has a new article on Common, a new startup that leases apartments and turns them into co-housing communities:
Common members will pay on a month-to-month basis to stay in rooms throughout a network of houses for which the company provides shared items like pots and pans, living room furniture, and toilet paper; coordinates utilities like Wi-Fi and house cleaning; and plans community events like potluck dinners.
Common is trying to solve a problem that is familiar to Millennial city dwellers:
The problem that Common aims to solve is compelling: In addition to being expensive, finding a solo apartment in a market like New York City often comes with requirements that recent college graduates aren’t likely to meet—two years of tax returns showing a high salary, big bank accounts, or even just being in the city to attend in-person open houses. “Coliving” provides an alternative to finding roommates on Craigslist, and big players like WeWork have plans to pursue the business.
The problem that Common aims to solve is compelling: In addition to being expensive, finding a solo apartment in a market like New York City often comes with requirements that recent college graduates aren’t likely to meet—two years of tax returns showing a high salary, big bank accounts, or even just being in the city to attend in-person open houses. “Coliving” provides an alternative to finding roommates on Craigslist, and big players like WeWork On their website, they promise:
Community: Common communities feature regular talks, dinners, gatherings, and other places to meet your fellow residents and neighbors.
Flexibility: Move between Common communities – or leave the network entirely – with only a month’s notice.
Security: Leave the roommate search behind. Every member of Common has been vetted and endorsed by a member of the community.
Millennial housing dreamers are wondering: Can Common succeed where other recent co-housing startups, like Campus, have failed?
