When looking for a new home, what matters most?
Many people assume the answer is rent or deposit costs. However, resident survey data tells a different story.
By comparing responses from 100 residents of conventional rental housing and residents of EPISODE, a co-living house, we discovered significant differences in how people make housing decisions.
Residents of conventional rental housing ranked transportation convenience (30%) as their top priority. In contrast, co-living house residents prioritized newly built properties (32%) and security (17%).
The findings suggest that housing preferences are evolving beyond location and price. More people are evaluating homes based on their overall quality of life and living experience.
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Key Takeaways
Residents of conventional rental housing consider transportation convenience (30%) the most important factor.
Co-living house residents prioritize newly built properties (32%) and security (17%).
Safety, building quality, and lifestyle amenities often outweigh price considerations.
Housing decisions are shifting from "Where should I live?" to "How do I want to live?”
Conventional Rental Housing Residents
Rank | Factor | Response Rate |
|---|---|---|
1 | Public Transportation Access | 30% |
2 | Newly Built Property | 20% |
3 | Price | 13% |
4 | Nearby Amenities | 11% |
5 | Room Size | 8% |
6 | Security | 4% |
7 | Shared Spaces | 1% |
Co-living House Residents
Rank | Factor | Response Rate |
|---|---|---|
1 | Newly Built Property | 32% |
2 | Security | 17% |
3 | Public Transportation Access | 11% |
4 | Shared Spaces | 10% |
5 | Nearby Amenities | 4% |
6 | Room Size | 3% |
7 | Price | 2% |
Among residents of conventional rental housing, transportation convenience emerged as the most important decision factor.
Thirty percent of respondents ranked it as their top priority.
This result highlights how much daily commuting influences housing decisions. Access to subway stations, business districts, and major transportation hubs plays a significant role in overall satisfaction.
Interestingly, transportation convenience (30%) was valued more than twice as much as price (13%).
For many people, saving time every day is more important than saving a small amount on monthly rent.
The responses from co-living house residents paint a different picture.
The most important factor was whether the building was newly constructed (32%), followed by security (17%), transportation access (11%), and shared spaces (10%).
One of the most notable findings is the importance of shared spaces.
Unlike conventional rental housing, co-living residents actively consider community lounges, shared kitchens, workspaces, and lifestyle amenities when choosing a home.
This reflects a broader shift in how people think about housing.
A home is no longer just a place to sleep. It is increasingly viewed as a place to work, relax, socialize, and build a better daily life.
For co-living house residents, newly built properties were the most important factor, even more important than transportation.
But being "new" is not simply about aesthetics.
Newly built properties are often associated with:
Better maintenance standards
Modern facilities
Efficient room layouts
Higher-quality shared spaces
Improved living comfort
Busy professionals often prefer homes that minimize maintenance concerns and maximize convenience.
As a result, they place a premium on well-designed, well-maintained housing environments.
One of the largest differences between the two groups was security.
Only 4% of conventional rental housing residents identified security as their top priority.
Among co-living house residents, however, the number increased to 17%.
This result reflects the growing importance of housing safety, particularly among one-person households.
Residents increasingly pay attention to:
Controlled building access
CCTV coverage
Professional property management
Well-maintained common areas
Safe surroundings for late-night arrivals
As more people live alone, security has become an essential part of the residential experience rather than an optional feature.
Most people assume housing decisions are primarily driven by cost.
The survey results suggest otherwise.
Among co-living house residents, only 2% identified price as the most important factor.
Room size was similarly low at 3%.
This does not mean affordability is irrelevant.
Rather, it suggests that many residents evaluate housing based on overall value rather than simply choosing the cheapest option available.
Factors such as:
Safety
Building quality
Community environment
Convenience
Lifestyle amenities
can significantly influence decision-making.
People increasingly want homes that improve their everyday lives, not just reduce their housing costs.
Ten percent of co-living house residents identified shared spaces as the most important factor when selecting a home.
This is a major distinction between co-living and traditional housing.
Today's residents often use their homes for much more than sleeping.
They work remotely, exercise, meet neighbors, host friends, and spend a larger portion of their daily lives within their residential community.
As a result, amenities such as:
Resident lounges
Shared kitchens
Coworking areas
Fitness facilities
Community programs
have become meaningful parts of the housing experience.
In many cases, residents are evaluating not just their private room but the entire living ecosystem.
The survey data reveals a fundamental shift in residential preferences.
Residents of conventional rental housing remain highly focused on location and commuting convenience.
Co-living house residents, meanwhile, place greater importance on building quality, security, and community-oriented amenities.
This suggests that housing decisions are increasingly influenced by lifestyle considerations rather than purely financial ones.
People are no longer asking only:
"Where should I live?"
They are also asking:
"What kind of life do I want to build?"
And for many residents, co-living provides an answer that extends beyond the walls of a single room.
Among residents of conventional rental housing, transportation convenience ranked first at 30%.
Co-living house residents identified newly built properties (32%) and security (17%) as their top priorities.
Many residents evaluate housing based on overall living quality, including safety, maintenance, amenities, and convenience, rather than rent alone.
Shared spaces support work, relaxation, social interaction, and community engagement, making them a meaningful part of the residential experience.
*Source: 2024 Co-living brand Episode and Conventional Rental Housing Residents Survey Data