House of co

Real estate forecasts for the Belgian market remain discouraging. According to ING Bank, housing prices are expected to rise by 3% in 2025 and another 4% in 2026. This means that buying your own apartment is becoming increasingly out of reach for a broad audience — especially for young people and mobile professionals.

As a result, more people are exploring alternative housing solutions, with coliving emerging as a popular option alongside traditional renting. But the question is which one should we choose between coliving vs traditional renting?

Let’s break down the key aspects of coliving and traditional renting, based solely on the facts.

Price and Affordability

Coliving

Coliving often uses an “all-inclusive” system where utilities, cleaning, internet, and sometimes even community events are included in the price. This eliminates unexpected expenses and can be more cost-effective, especially in cities with high rental rates. At House of co, we follow this approach, covering all essentials in one monthly payment. For instance, instead of juggling five different bills, you know exactly what you’ll spend each month, which makes budgeting much easier.

Renting

These costs can vary widely from month to month, making it harder to predict your total housing budget. In Belgium, for example, energy bills can spike during the winter for heating and in summer for cooling, adding hundreds of euros to your monthly expenses. For tenants on a fixed income or students with limited budgets, this unpredictability can be a challenge.

Sustainability

Coliving

Modern challenges require modern solutions. Shared spaces, energy-efficient appliances, and resource sharing not only save money but also allow for a more eco-friendly lifestyle. By reducing individual consumption and making better use of shared resources, coliving can significantly lower the environmental impact of daily life.

Renting

However, when people live alone—as is often the case with traditional renting—the opposite tends to happen. According to a 2020 study by MDPI Energies, single occupants consume nearly twice as much energy and produce more carbon emissions per person compared to those living in larger households. This makes shared living an effective way to reduce one’s ecological footprint and make everyday life more efficient.

Flexibility

Coliving

Coliving is all about flexibility. You can usually choose a stay from just one month without dealing with bureaucracy: no long-term contracts, no hassle with early termination. This is especially important for expats, students, freelancers, and digital nomads whose lives tend to change frequently.

Renting

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Traditional renting typically involves long-term commitments — often a minimum of 6 or 12 months. Breaking a lease early can be difficult and may result in penalties. In addition, the process of securing a rental — from deposits to credit checks — is often time-consuming.

Infrastructure

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Coliving

Modern coliving spaces offer a wide range of amenities, including:

Fully furnished rooms
Coworking areas
Kitchens with quality appliances
Laundry facilities
Terraces
Gym

Renting

With traditional renting, the property is often either unfurnished or only partially furnished. This means additional costs for setting up the space — especially if the stay is temporary. Also, traditional rentals usually don’t include extra facilities like coworking areas or communal lounges.

Community

Coliving

Renting is not just about housing — it’s an experience. The word "coliving" itself carries the idea of community. At House of Co, those under one roof are not just tenants but like-minded people and friends. We create conditions that make it easier to socialize, meet new people, and feel part of something bigger. Here, people don’t just rent a place — they find a community.

Renting

In traditional renting, social connections depend entirely on the tenant’s own efforts. Neighbors may keep to themselves, and there are usually no built-in opportunities to meet others. This can make it harder to form friendships or feel connected, especially in a new city or country. Unlike coliving, there’s no structured framework to encourage interaction, so building a sense of community often takes more time and initiative.

Conclusion

In 2025, choosing between coliving and traditional renting is less about housing itself and more about lifestyle. With rising property prices and increasingly complex long-term rental conditions, coliving has become a full-fledged alternative — especially in large cities and among mobile professionals.

Coliving offers flexibility, transparency, and well-equipped infrastructure — making it an attractive option for those who value mobility, want to be part of a community, and prefer not to spend time on day-to-day household concerns. It’s a “housing-as-a-service” model, where residents receive not just a place to stay, but also comfort, support, and social connection.

On the other hand, traditional renting still holds its ground. It appeals to those who value privacy, stability, and full autonomy over their living space. For families, people with a more settled lifestyle, or those who wish to personalize their home environment, classic renting remains a solid and reliable choice.

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