Communal living, while pretty prominent within a certain
particular type of privileged millenial, is a thing.
We have the belief that it's actually something that
will be more mainstream within a certain amount
of year's time, and I think what we're trying to do is lay
the infrastructure by which nontraditional communities
can go ahead and embrace this style of living.
So it definitely should not just be millennial white dudes?
No.
Everyone in New York is super lonely.
That may be why communal living is having a moment.
More and more people are passing up studio
apartments to live in group housing,
sometimes pay more to do so.
One company in Williamsburg known as Pure House
brands itself as an intentional living community.
We're in a former old doll factory
that's been turned into a bunch of artist lofts.
I hope it's haunted, but it hasn't been yet.
For New Yorkers whose identities have been swallowed
up by the vast nothingness of the city, Pure House
promises to focus on curating distinct groups of people
and their passions.
Membership in Pure House gets you a private bedroom
in one of three homes located within walking distance
in Williamsburg.
It's a low ceiling, but it's high enough to stand up.
Do you think this is a growing movement in the country,
or is it still happening in little pockets?
I mean communal living has been going on for centuries
Yeah since we were living together in caves.
but what's happening now and this is part of a huge
shift, I mean our lives have become so efficient
and now people are looking for more meaning,
more purpose, more community, more connection,
more culture. Connection with themselves and others.
This is what I think is fueling this growing movement,
and there are all these different gradients.
On the WeLive side, we're talking about what I think of
is kind of like condo living 2.0.
But there isn't any kind of "operating system"
so to speak that allows for some sort of a kind of
communal experience.
Then on the other end of the spectrum, you have
intentional communities.
The kinds of things that are referred to as communes.
The things like Pure House tend to be more in the
middle.
Rooms at Pure House range between $1500 and $1800
and include occasional meals, yoga, and massages.
By comparison, more corporate communal housing
at WeLive in lower Manhattan runs about $1700
with no massages.
You could rent a room in New York for cheaper
but these places provide intangibles that seemed
worthwhile to a lot of people.
Like this weekly dinner
where they talk about sex.
Is there a sexual act you really enjoy doing?
When you're about to go down on a partner, but like
you're kissing their stomach and like rolling anticipation
as you're moving around.
What brought you to Pure House?
When I moved to New York, the first year I was alone.
I felt alone, doesn't matter how many people I met
in school, and I just feel that I don't have any kind of
home to go back to.
I was looking for an apartment and then just I found
Pure House in one of the Apps.
I got to the website, and I was like that's what I want.
What do you think is behind the movement?
We've gone from a society of belonging to a
very individualistic society, but that feeling of wanting
to belong somewhere doesn't necessarily go away.
This allows you the best of both worlds.
There is a sense of belonging because everyone's
passionate, but there is a sense of diversity where
everyone is passionate about something else.
It's not only about sharing the spaces, I think
it's about sharing the consciousness.
Of we are a group, we are a community.
And we help each other we provide to each other.
I think it would be ideal for society to be a little more
open. More communal.
And recognize that humanity is one common body.
Exactly. That's the final answer.
We all are one.
Yet if you just go yelling that on the subway platform,
people look at you funny.
They shouldn't.
The fact that people are willing to pay more to share
space than to have their own is telling.
Social interaction is fundamental - a prerequisite for
good health, and people are realizing that.
We're kind of restarting this mission at the beginning
being like what happens when you value share in a
space where not everyone is white?
It remains to be seen.
Check in with us in like a year.
So it seems like the key to a good communal
living experience is diversity.
And of course, you want to make sure you're not
joining a cult.
I'll talk you through it. We're doing just eye gazing.
It's just very simple. You're already doing it.
It's great. I know I make eye contact all the time.
So just take your hand and put it on you lower belly.
Are you seeing anything in my eyes?
Because people tell me I'm not human or whatever.
I see that you're not blinking a lot.