Building a Great Coliving Community

The Community at Casa Mia Coliving 

What are the differences between coliving and standard apartment rental or a normal shared living apartment, which is how most of the operators operate? They just get an apartment, furnish it, put up some common areas, and call it community-driven living, which it is not.

A significant aspect of coliving is the people you meet and how you engage with them. Whether new to the city or old, meeting new people is always refreshing and helps you create lasting memories.

Casa Mia Coliving’s community comprises young professionals in their 20s. First Fridays and, Meet the Neighbours are some of the “rituals” and events we host where members can meet members other than their housemates. Many of our members, like Yan and Matteo, say they are grateful for events like these and through them have been able to build a good network of friends. Their socialising goes beyond their home and at events; many also actively plan things outside of the Casa Mia environment.

For example, this summer some of the Elizabeth Heights members and other Casa Mia members went to Tomorrowland in Belgium! Get to know some of our members and their stories here!

Refining the selection process 

We want to continue to reinforce this great community feel and have created a tool to refine the member selection process. To do so, Zachary, a third-year psychology student at the National University of Singapore, joined us, along with a faculty member to provide guidance. During the three-month period, he helped devise a survey tool and analytical approach to gain a deeper understanding of the social and interpersonal dynamics within Casa Mia’s member landscape. This approach enables us to make informed decisions about the placement of prospective members as well as how they would fit into the existing community. To understand more about the project we have asked Zachary to take you through his time at Casa Mia as a customer insights intern! 

Let’s get straight into it, shall we? 

I joined Casa Mia with the intention to help the team reinforce their efforts in building a tight-knit community for their members. We created a survey and from the results developed a clearer picture of the makeup of the members. 

The survey looks at four main components that are relevant to coliving:

1. Overall Personality
2. Dark Personality
3. Communal Orientation 
4. Interpersonal Trust

Overall Personality looks at traits such as extrovertness, emotional stability, and openness to experiences, to understand how an individual is generally. 

Dark Personality further zooms in on the more aspects of one’s personality which may negatively impact a home-sharing experience. This includes tendencies to be controlling, self-centred and calculative. 

Communal Orientation measures how much an individual values others’ feelings and emotions within a relationship, and allows us to see how considerate and compassionate one may be. 

Lastly, Interpersonal Trust gives us an idea of how willing and open an individual may be to trusting people, including how willing they are to share their problems or thoughts with others. These four main components give us a holistic picture of the individual, from which we can make a more informed decision as to whether they can fit in well into the Casa Mia Coliving community.

Reaching out to our members 

We distributed the survey to our members mainly via email. There were also multiple get-togethers over the course of my internship, where I promoted the survey. I joined the First Friday events for all members, Welcome Drink event for new members, and other gatherings. From the various outreach attempts, we received a considerable number of responses. While face-to-face sessions yielded over a 90% response rate, there was also nearly a 60% response rate from those via email, indicating that our members were definitely enthusiastic and willing to participate in our research exercise. At the end of the day, this is also beneficial for them and any future housemates who will move in!

Results 

From the results, measures of Overall Personality and Communal Orientation seem to provide us the greatest insight as to how an individual may thrive in a coliving setting. These two measures showed strong correlations with each other, indicating that their individual components have links to each other. 

The results also indicated that the Openness aspect of Overall Personality positively correlated with Coliving Satisfaction. This makes sense, as at the core of coliving are new living experiences, being open to meeting new people, living in a foreign country, and broadening horizons. All these things are embodied by the individuals that score high in Openness, whose characteristics include being curious about the world, eager to learn new things, and tend to be more adventurous. 

Lastly, the results also indicated that our HEXACO (Good Personality) measure was strongly correlated with other characteristics that make up a good coliving housemate. This included Communal Orientation, Interpersonal Trust, Tolerant Reactions to Housemates, as well as Tendencies to Clarify Misunderstandings. In other words, based on one’s Good Personality score, we can also infer the presence of characteristics that would make for a good member of the Casa Mia community.  

All in all, these results further confirm that these are key elements within the coliving sphere, and diving deeper into them will better inform our decisions regarding member selection in the future.

Indicative tool - how will we utilise this information in the future?

Taking these results into account, we are able to further refine our member selection process. Not only did we focus on the components of the ideal Casa Mia Coliving member, but we now also have a clearer understanding of our member landscape. We will also be able to more confidently tell which households these individuals may be best suited for so that they have the best possible coliving experience while they are with us. All in all, this research  has given us an even deeper understanding of our current and prospective members, strengthening the Casa Mia community even more.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Community at Casa Mia Coliving

1. What sets Casa Mia Coliving apart from standard apartment rentals or normal shared living apartments?

Casa Mia Coliving distinguishes itself by creating a genuine community rather than just offering shared living spaces. Unlike standard rentals or operators who furnish apartments and label them as community-driven, Casa Mia focuses on building meaningful connections through curated events and a refined member selection process.

2. How does Casa Mia Coliving foster a strong community among its members?

Casa Mia organizes regular events like “First Fridays” and “Meet the Neighbours,” where members can socialize beyond their immediate housemates. These gatherings encourage members to build lasting friendships, expand their networks, and create memorable experiences together.

3. What types of events does Casa Mia Coliving host?

Events include social mixers, welcome drinks for new members, and special outings. Members have attended international events like Tomorrowland in Belgium and often plan activities outside the Casa Mia environment, fostering a vibrant and connected community.

4. Who are the typical members of the Casa Mia Coliving community?

The community primarily consists of young professionals in their 20s who are open-minded, adventurous, and eager to engage with others. They value cultural diversity and are interested in building meaningful relationships within a supportive environment.

5. How does Casa Mia Coliving select its members?

Casa Mia employs a refined member selection process that involves a comprehensive survey assessing various personality traits and interpersonal dynamics. This approach ensures that new members align with the existing community’s values and contribute positively to the shared living experience.

6. What is the purpose of the survey tool used during the selection process?

The survey helps Casa Mia gain deeper insights into prospective members’ social behaviors and personality traits. By evaluating factors like personality, communal orientation, and interpersonal trust, the team can make informed decisions about household placements.

7. What are the four main components assessed in the survey?

• Overall Personality: Traits like extroversion, emotional stability, and openness to new experiences.

• Dark Personality: Potential negative traits that might impact shared living, such as being controlling or self-centered.

• Communal Orientation: The degree to which an individual values others’ feelings and maintains compassionate relationships.

• Interpersonal Trust: Willingness to trust others and share personal thoughts or concerns.

8. How does the member selection process benefit the community?

By carefully selecting individuals who embody the community’s values, Casa Mia fosters a harmonious living environment. This ensures that all members enjoy a positive experience, with housemates who are compatible and supportive.

9. Who developed the survey tool for Casa Mia Coliving?

Zachary, a third-year psychology student at the National University of Singapore, collaborated with Casa Mia and a faculty advisor to create the survey. Over three months, they developed and refined the tool to enhance the member selection process.

10. What were the key findings from the survey results?

The survey revealed that traits like openness and communal orientation strongly correlate with coliving satisfaction. Members who are open to new experiences and value communal living tend to thrive within the Casa Mia community.

11. How will Casa Mia Coliving use the survey results moving forward?

The insights enable Casa Mia to refine their member selection and placement strategies further. By understanding the personalities of prospective members, they can match individuals to households where they will fit best, enhancing the overall community experience.

12. Can members organize their own events at Casa Mia Coliving?

Yes, members are encouraged to take initiative in planning activities and events. Casa Mia supports and fosters an environment where members can pursue shared interests and strengthen community bonds.

13. How does Casa Mia Coliving support international members?

Casa Mia welcomes members from diverse backgrounds and nationalities. The multicultural community and inclusive events help international members feel at home and integrate smoothly into the local culture.

14. What makes Casa Mia Coliving’s community approach unique?

Casa Mia combines psychological insights with a community-driven focus. Their data-informed selection process and commitment to fostering genuine relationships set them apart from other coliving spaces.

15. How can I learn more about the Casa Mia Coliving community?

You can learn more by visiting the Casa Mia Coliving community page on their website. Here, you’ll find stories from current members and additional information about community activities.

16. Is Casa Mia Coliving suitable for newcomers to the city?

Absolutely. Casa Mia provides a supportive environment ideal for those new to the city. The community events and friendly members make it easier to build a social network and feel at home quickly.

17. How do I apply to become a member of Casa Mia Coliving?

To apply, visit the Casa Mia Coliving website and reach out through their contact page. The team will guide you through the application process, including completing the personality survey.

18. What can I expect during the application process?

You’ll complete a comprehensive survey that helps Casa Mia understand your personality and how you might fit within the community. The team may also conduct interviews to get to know you better.

19. How does Casa Mia Coliving handle conflicts between members?

Casa Mia promotes open communication and mutual respect among members. If conflicts arise, the team is available to mediate and find amicable solutions to maintain a harmonious living environment.

20. What are the benefits of living at Casa Mia Coliving?

• Community Engagement: Build lasting friendships through events and shared experiences.

• Curated Households: Live with like-minded individuals selected through a refined process.

• Supportive Environment: Enjoy a living space that values openness, trust, and communal well-being.

• Cultural Diversity: Be part of a multicultural community that enriches your living experience.

Interested in Joining or Learning More about the Casa Mia Community?

Check out our community page here. If you want to reach out with any questions about our member selection, feel free to do so here.