Spain's Best Coliving Communities
Spain is without a doubt one of the leading countries when it comes to the number of colivings spaces and communities. Of course, with that number comes also a big variety of what is offered.
With all the differences, Spain can attract and accommodate a large number of people from different backgrounds looking for different things - digital nomads, remote workers, artists, families, students, etc.
And although there are so many categories and classifications we can find in the coliving industry, in the article below, we’ll explore the simplest classification that can help you find coliving communities which will answer your needs - colivings focused on professional development, those focused on personal growth, and space who are focused on the growth in general, offering a mix of personal and professional development opportunities.
Professional development: Coliving spaces for uprising professionals
The coliving industry has long ago recognized the importance of constant growth and connections for excelling in one’s career. Especially in the world we live in today where many people, young professionals, start businesses, work remotely, or freelance. Today, the opportunities for professional advancement are more abundant but takes more effort and skill to be discovered and used in the right way.
On top of that, with so many opportunities, comes the need to filter the truly valuable ones which can be a challenge for inexperienced folks who are just now entering the world of business.
So, with that in mind, many spaces opened their doors to specifically provide a conducive environment for networking and professional growth, especially for young professionals and entrepreneurs.
Spaces like these typically offer an array of amenities and programs tailored to entrepreneurs, remote workers, and professionals looking to expand their connections and advance their careers.
When booking a space like this, residents can expect coworking spaces, networking events, skill-sharing sessions, and sometimes even mentorship programs. They are a perfect choice for green or young professionals who want to kick-start their careers or foreign professionals who want to make an entrance into the foreign market.
How serious and strict these spaces are with their offering can differ but they all provide a stable and reliable working space along with an ecosystem that fosters collaboration, idea exchange, and potential business partnerships.
In Spain, these coliving spaces are typical either in big cities because that is where young professionals go, or in rural communities, in the form of more intense professional development in the community.
Personal development: Cherishing individual growth in a community
The coliving industry does not only recognize the importance of a community for professional development but also personal growth.
As society continues to drift into the online world creating room for loneliness and lack of interaction, communities like those in coliving spaces give a solution and play a valuable part in establishing human connections. And personal growth and mental health are achievable only with those connections.
And while most coliving spaces open with that in mind, some of them truly prioritize personal growth, well-being, and self-discovery.
To do this, they offer a wide spectrum of activities, situations, and resources aimed at nurturing residents' physical, mental, and emotional well-being.
Communities like these often have dedicated spaces for mindfulness practices, fitness classes, wellness workshops, and personal development seminars.
Additionally, they may provide access to professional coaches, therapists, or experts in various fields who offer guidance and support. Often, these communities will aim to attract professionals from the personal growth industry (therapy, coaching, yoga, meditation, etc.), and use skill-sharing as a tool to help out each other. However, with as many or little activities, in communities like these, the most valuable tool is a deep conversation between the members.
For this to happen, the members must be open to sharing and growing with others, but the space also has to feel safe and comfortable.
A difference between spaces that focus on personal and professional growth is mainly seen in their users, but also some amenities. Personal growth colivings don’t focus on offering the perfect working space, while for professional development spaces, that is one of the main priorities. On the other hand, personal growth and development spaces will prioritize spaces that support the mind and body such as gardens. yoga or meditation rooms, spaces for sharing circles, etc.
Also, when focusing on personal development, a coliving space is often in a small town or a rural area rather than a big city. It is because it typically doesn’t require external resources to achieve certain goals (seminars, coworking spaces, conferences, etc.) and because it is thought that being more remote gives more space to people to focus on their inner selves.
Spaces for personal growth typically give birth to some strong friendships and relationships and are perfect for those who are looking to explore new hobbies, develop self-awareness, or simply find a space for relaxation and rejuvenation.
Personal and Professional Development: Holistic coliving spaces
Lastly, most coliving spaces in Spain offer a mix of activities and resources for both personal and professional growth. Naturally, these spaces attract more types of individuals and put more focus on the community.
Combining the best of both worlds, these coliving communities provide a holistic experience and offer a balanced blend of networking opportunities, skill-building, and wellness-focused activities.
In places like these, residents can expect to have a coworking space, weekly or bi-weekly workshops, and seminars, as well as dedicated areas for relaxation, fitness, and personal reflection.
Although these colivings can also be very focused on growth, in most cases, they provide a more laid-back offer and are more suitable for bigger groups so every person can choose what they’re interested in.
In colivings that specialize in professional or personal development, the experience might feel a bit more like a program than a stay. They are meant for people who are interested in moving forward and are ready to dedicate themselves to it. In coliving spaces that nurture both personal and professional development, the growth is meant to be slower and more spontaneous.
Of course, this depends on the size and the management of the coliving and doesn’t have to be the case but it is what we usually see in practice.
These coliving communities foster an inclusive environment where individuals can pursue their career goals while also prioritizing their well-being, and are ideal for those seeking a harmonious integration of work and life and a supportive ecosystem that nurtures all aspects of personal and professional growth.
Other coliving spaces
The above classification is a very broad one. Not one space is like the other and that’s why it’s very important to do good research before deciding what works for yourself.
Most coliving spaces in Spain prioritize community and add a mixture of personal and professional growth to it, but many also have stricter values that go beyond just immersing yourself in the community.
In our case - in Vivarium - we fall under the third category. We like our colivers to have a mix of both personal and professional development opportunities; to have room to showcase their creativity, intelligence, entrepreneurship, social skills, and whatever they will cherish. With a mix of frequent group activity on different topics and with different approaches, we experiment with each group of colivers to see what works the best for them. As is our community, our activities and offers are flexible and follow our community members.
Sometimes, we put more focus on collaborative and creative activities, sometimes on socializing, and sometimes on professional growth and entrepreneurship, and for us, this is the formula that works the best.
