Co-living, where residents rent private rooms within shared apartments or buildings, is gaining traction in crowded urban centers. Driven by rising costs and changing lifestyles, these arrangements offer flexibility, affordability, and built-in community.

While co-living appeals to young professionals and students, it also raises questions about long-term stability and regulation. Some cities are beginning to establish guidelines for safety, tenant protections, and zoning to ensure co-living developments meet community standards.

If managed well, co-living can be more than a stopgap solution. It has the potential to reshape urban housing markets by offering affordable alternatives while fostering new forms of community life in increasingly dense cities.