Coliving Community Around The States

by | Jul 4, 2021 | Uncategorized | 0 comments

Coliving Community Around The States | Uncustomary

The growing population of cities is giving rise to enormous interest in affordable housing and, consequently, its deficit. In this respect, Coliving is one of the options for solving this problem. This is the reason the Coliving communities are constantly expanding. 

Although roommates have been here for a long time and you probably shared an apartment or room with your classmates or friends during your more youthful years until you became independent, the trend has changed a bit and roommates are now sought by people later in life. 

In the USA, Coliving is already a common form of accommodation. That its popularity will continue to rise is more than certain.

An important factor accelerating the popularity of Coliving communities – even the Big Apple coliving – is the increase in the age at which people enter into marriage and start a family. Statistics show that today, on average, people get married at the age of 31, while in 2008 it was 29 years. The average age at which young families have their first child has also shifted by two years, from 27 to 29 years. 

These are two key milestones in the life of each individual, which are the main trigger for interest in buying their own housing. As the completion of these milestones are delayed, the number of people living grows. 

The background to this development is, among other things, the growing number of university graduates. The years after graduation are dedicated to building a career rather than starting a family. This is especially true for women, who go on to become more financially independent with higher education.

The reason the Coliving community in the US is constantly expanding is as a result of the increase in the number of people working from home. This factor has been significantly aided by the Covid-19 pandemic, which took the world by surprise, and have significantly affected the lives of people all around the world.

Companies have realized that the efficiency of people working from home is not as low as they thought it would be during the “pre-coronavirus” period. Thanks to the pandemic situation that arose, they could or rather – had to – test the home-office as one of the rescue options. 

However, this option has proven to be very effective, and many companies no longer allow people to crowd in their expensive office space but have instead let them work from home permanently. 

This made people realize that when coronavirus measures completely disappeared, they would be able to work from anywhere, and this fact has encouraged Coliving well beyond expectations.

People working from home use Coliving very often. Both in the long- and short-term. Now investors are trying to invest as much money as possible in Coliving companies, and the various startups that have emerged are growing very fast. 

The Coliving community is also growing hand-in-hand with the growth of Coliving companies. These communities usually share a similar lifestyle, similar values ​​of life, similar working conditions and, in most cases, similar social thinking. These factors rapidly affect life in the community as such, which is why they live very well together “under one roof”.

In the Coliving community, however, we find not only people working from home, but also students who do not want to live only in dormitories, but instead want to taste life “out there”. 

Coliving can prepare students for real life after school much more effectively than life on campus. Several studies have been conducted to show that students living in Coliving KoUnit can adapt to life much faster after school. 

This is mainly due to the fact that their roommates see work every day, so they perceive their regime and subconsciously soak up the atmosphere of “real life”.

With the growing number of Coliving communities in the United States, other categories of people are joining the community. There are, for example, Coliving communities, which consist mainly of older aged people, say from 40-55 years. They are usually very active people who want to try something new or maybe start from scratch and try something completely different.

Although Coliving is widespread mainly in large cities such as New York, San Francisco, Chicago, Los Angeles and Miami, new cities are constantly being added. 

Even cities that are significantly less populated than large urban cities in the United States. Thanks to this, it is possible to predict the development of the Coliving communities. They will certainly expand very soon to other smaller cities, where they will fulfill the role of cheap, quality and safe accommodation to different categories of people.

Coliving unites people. It creates new possibilities and brings a new spirit into the lives of different people, which they would probably not have under other circumstances. 

The expansion of Coliving communities is therefore completely organic, but very predictable. Enlargement is not only affected by the above-mentioned factors, but also by economic facts and changes in the development of technologies, owing to which people will not only have more processing freedom in the future, but will also perform better. 

Of course, companies like this because they don’t have to pay expensive office rentals, pay employees who keep these properties running, and so on. Coliving housing is simply win-win for each of the parties involved.

If you are not yet involved in this community, you may find it tempting after a while if you give it a try. After all, there’s constant growth in the number of companies that run Coliving, which is a pointer to increased demand. We see how they are constantly improving and offering new and better services to their tenants. 

These include regular cleaning, good security, improved rental conditions, reduced rental prices and improved apartment and house equipment. Coliving communities across the United States are growing and most likely will continue to do so, and the demand curve for housing in the Coliving community will go up sharply in no distant time.

In Columbia, Maryland, there’s a former grocery store that has been transformed into a department store for mythical creatures, time travelers, and intergalactic tourists.

It’s called DoodleHATCH.

You can groom a unicorn, visit an intergalactic space station, climb onto a giant’s bed, meet guinea pigs, explore an artist’s studio, and discover approximately a million other things that somebody actually sat down and made.

It’s a nonprofit interactive art museum, a community project, an educational resource, and one of my favorite places I’ve ever discovered.

And it could be demolished as part of a proposed redevelopment of the Long Reach Village Center.

But there’s still an opportunity to help.

You don’t need to donate money. You don’t need to live in Maryland. And you don’t need to know anything about zoning laws.

You can start by writing an email.

🚨 Here's what's happening

Developer Columbia Concepts has proposed redeveloping the Long Reach Village Center in Columbia, Maryland.

The proposal would replace existing buildings with new housing, recreational facilities, and other development.

Unfortunately, that puts a whole collection of existing community resources at risk of being demolished, including:

  • DoodleHATCH Interactive Art Museum
  • Maryland Fashion Institute
  • A makerspace used for community education
  • Local restaurants, shops, and service businesses
  • Early childhood education and community programs
  • A 140-foot-long mural created by approximately 100 community members

This isn’t just about losing a fabulous museum. It’s about losing an entire collection of places that people have built, supported, and relied on.

And there’s another possibility!

🌈 Meet The REALM

Lee Andersen, the founder of DoodleHATCH, and her nonprofit ManneqART want to preserve the existing community resources and transform the village center into an arts and culture destination called The REALM.

Imagine a place where artists have studios, children have room to explore, students can learn creative skills, people can attend performances, and local businesses continue serving their neighbors.

There are plans for a performing arts space, more opportunities for artists, and a Witches Kitchen that might serve you a horrible-disgusting breakfast.

Which, personally, I think sounds promising.

The people behind DoodleHATCH are gathering support to oppose the developer’s zoning proposal and advocate for The REALM.

And they’d love your help.

💌 How to help in about two minutes

If you live in Howard County, Maryland

If you’re 18 or older, DoodleHATCH is asking eligible county residents to visit the museum and sign their petition in person.

📍DoodleHATCH Interactive Art Museum

8775 Cloudleap Court, Unit 101
Columbia, MD 21045

⏱️ Museum hours: Friday–Sunday, 10 AM–5 PM.

And while you’re there, I highly recommend exploring the museum. Bring someone who needs a reminder that being an adult doesn’t mean you have to stop enjoying ridiculous things.

If you don't live in Howard County

You can still help!

DoodleHATCH is collecting emails from people who oppose the proposed Columbia Concepts redevelopment and support preserving the existing arts and community resources through The REALM.

Send your email to: Lilou@DoodleHATCH.com

Suggested subject: Support The REALM | Oppose Columbia Concepts Zoning Proposal ZB 1132M

You can write your own message or use one of the templates below.

You don’t need to write an essay. A short, genuine message explaining what you support and why is enough to participate in this email campaign.

✍️ What should your email say?

To make your position clear, include these three things:

1. Say what you’re opposing.

State that you oppose the proposed Columbia Concepts redevelopment and zoning amendment for the Long Reach Village Center, case ZB 1132M.

2. Say what you’re supporting.

Express your support for preserving DoodleHATCH, the Maryland Fashion Institute, existing community resources, and the proposed arts and culture center called The REALM.

3. Explain why you care.

This is the part that makes your email yours.

Maybe you’ve visited DoodleHATCH. Maybe you’re a parent who wants more creative places for children. Maybe you’re an artist, an educator, or someone who thinks it’s important to protect the few spaces where people can explore and make things without needing to buy something.

Maybe you live across the country and just learned that there’s a department store for mythical creatures in Maryland, and you think the world would be a little less interesting without it.

That’s a perfectly good reason to care.

💌 Email templates you can copy

Option 1: Short, simple, and effective

Subject: Support The REALM | Oppose ZB 1132M

Hello,

I’m writing to express my opposition to the proposed Columbia Concepts zoning amendment and redevelopment of the Long Reach Village Center (ZB 1132M).

I support preserving DoodleHATCH, the Maryland Fashion Institute, and the existing community services and small businesses, as well as the proposal to create The REALM arts and culture center.

Creative and educational spaces like these provide valuable opportunities for families, artists, students, and the wider community. I believe they deserve to be protected.

Please include my email with the messages of support being collected for DoodleHATCH and The REALM.

Thank you,

[Your Name]
[Your City/State]

Option 2: For artists, creatives, and fellow merriment makers

Subject: Please Protect DoodleHATCH and Support The REALM

Hello,

I’m writing in opposition to Columbia Concepts’ proposed redevelopment and zoning amendment for the Long Reach Village Center (ZB 1132M), and in support of The REALM.

I believe communities need places where creativity, imagination, and play are actively encouraged.

DoodleHATCH is an extraordinary example of what can happen when artists and community members are given room to create something that doesn’t fit into an ordinary commercial space.

Places like this are rare. They encourage people of all ages to experiment, learn, explore, and connect with one another.

I support preserving DoodleHATCH, the Maryland Fashion Institute, the existing community resources, and the vision for The REALM.

Thank you for collecting these messages and advocating for the creative community.

[Your Name]
[Your City/State]

Option 3: For people who've visited DoodleHATCH

Subject: Please Save DoodleHATCH | Oppose ZB 1132M

Hello,

I’m writing to express my opposition to the proposed Columbia Concepts redevelopment and zoning amendment for the Long Reach Village Center (ZB 1132M), and my support for The REALM.

I’ve personally visited DoodleHATCH, and I want to share why I believe it’s worth preserving.

[Write two or three sentences about your experience. What did you see? Who did you bring? What surprised you? What made you want to return?]

DoodleHATCH is more than a collection of exhibits. It’s a place where creativity is something people can actively participate in, and I believe losing it would be a tremendous loss to the community.

I support preserving the museum, the Maryland Fashion Institute, and the other existing community resources through the proposed arts and culture center, The REALM.

Please include my email with the messages of support you’re collecting.

Thank you,

[Your Name]
[Your City/State]

A few tips before you hit send

DO:

  • Use your real name.

  • Include your city and state so organizers can understand where support is coming from.

  • Clearly identify the redevelopment proposal you’re opposing.

  • Specifically mention your support for The REALM.

  • Add a personal sentence or two if you can.

  • Be respectful, even if you’re frustrated.

  • Share this page with other people who might want to help.

DON’T:

  • Pretend to be a Howard County resident if you’re not.

  • Claim to have visited DoodleHATCH if you haven’t.

  • Make up experiences or information.

  • Send threatening, insulting, or harassing messages.

  • Assume your email is the same thing as signing the official petition.

  • Worry about making your message sound impressive. Clear and genuine is better than elaborate.

💌 The Save DoodleHATCH Email Machine

A few clicks, a little personality, and an email that helps support DoodleHATCH and The REALM. No account or signup required.

What's your connection to DoodleHATCH?
Why does protecting places like this matter to you?
✨ Your email preview
To: Lilou@DoodleHATCH.com
Subject:

Your information stays in your browser until you choose to copy or open the message. The email does not send automatically. Emails support DoodleHATCH's advocacy campaign; they are not the same as official petition signatures or zoning testimony. Please review the message before sending.

🐹 Wait. What exactly is DoodleHATCH?

I’m so glad you asked.

DoodleHATCH is an interactive art museum in Columbia, Maryland, created by artist, designer, and professional generator of wildly ambitious ideas, Lee Andersen.

The museum is designed as a pretend department store for mythological creatures, time travelers, and galactic tourists.

There are dozens of installations, and unlike most museums, you’re encouraged to touch things, explore, and participate.

There’s also an artist’s studio full of fabric and handmade garments, workshops, special events, birthday parties, free books, and opportunities for local artists to share their work.

The museum welcomes families and children, but adults are absolutely allowed to enjoy themselves, too.

And the woman behind it has spent decades bringing creativity into the community through fashion, festivals, education, and public art.

I discovered DoodleHATCH in 2020 and loved it so much that I started volunteering.

I’ve been back multiple times, and there are still things I haven’t seen.

That’s part of what makes it special. You can keep discovering things because people keep creating them.

You don't have to live near DoodleHATCH to care about it.

There are Merriment Makers everywhere.

People turning empty buildings into art spaces. People organizing parades. People teaching kids how to sew, paint, dance, or build things. People putting enormous amounts of time into projects that make their communities more interesting.

Sometimes they’re running nonprofits. Sometimes they’re working out of their garages. Sometimes they’re making something weird in a strip mall that you might drive past a hundred times without realizing what’s inside.

I hope you’ll help protect DoodleHATCH.

And I hope you’ll look around your own community, too. Visit the strange little museum. Go to the local art show. Find the person who makes giant puppets or organizes an absurd annual festival. Spend your money at the independent shop with the handmade things.

There are people everywhere creating reasons for us to be curious about being alive.

I’d like them to be able to keep doing that.

Help save DoodleHATCH. Help protect The REALM. Help keep the world interesting.

💌 Email: Lilou@DoodleHATCH.com

🌈 Visit: DoodleHATCH.com

🦄 Share: Uncustomary.org/Doodle