In the expensive city of New York, it is common for people in their late 20s and early 30s to live with roommates to manage the high cost of living. Ishan Abeysekera has taken this to the next level by living in a communal building in Brooklyn with 23 other people. Abeysekera, a 33-year-old engineer, chose to live in this communal space operated by Cohabs, a company that offers fully furnished bedrooms and communal living spaces for stays ranging from six months to a year or more across various cities in Europe and the U.S. Abeysekera made this choice in order to increase his chances of making friends in his new city.
Abeysekera did not initially plan on having so many roommates when he moved to New York from London for work. His job initially provided him with a one-bedroom apartment in Manhattan’s Financial District. However, when he began searching for his own apartment within his monthly rent budget of $2,000 to $3,000, he stumbled upon Cohabs and decided to explore communal living in Brooklyn. After visiting a room in Crown Heights and seeing residents having dinner together, he was sold on the idea as a way to meet new people in the city.
The communal living space that Abeysekera resides in features individual rooms for each resident but shared living spaces, including a kitchen, dining area, and lounging spaces. Each tenant has their own locker in the communal living area and there are designated shelf spaces for groceries in the six shared refrigerators. The building offers coworking spaces, an outdoor patio, and a finished basement with shared gym equipment, as well as ongoing building-wide exercise challenges. While the living setup resembles a college dorm in some ways, Abeysekera notes that the residents are more respectful and mature, making it a pleasant living environment where everyone has their own space.
Initially paying $1,850 a month for a smaller room, Abeysekera later upgraded to a larger room for $2,100 a month. His monthly payment covers WiFi, utilities, household supplies, a weekly cleaning service, and a monthly communal breakfast. The residents in the building range from 21 to 36 years old, and Abeysekera has formed strong relationships with people he has met through Cohabs. He appreciates the sense of community and the friendships he has built through this communal living arrangement, which has enriched his life and helped him feel more connected in his new city.
Overall, living in a communal building with 23 housemates may sound overwhelming to some, but for Abeysekera, it has been a positive experience that has allowed him to make friends and build a community in New York. The shared amenities, respectful environment, and individual spaces for each resident have made the living situation enjoyable and enriching. Abeysekera’s decision to choose communal living as a way to meet people and form friendships in a new city has proven to be a successful one, and he has found that living with roommates in this setting has enhanced his quality of life.
