The rise and fall of co-living startups like Common and WeLive was supposed to answer a big question: can New Yorkers find genuine community where they live? While those experiments didn’t last, they revealed something important: the desire for connection hasn’t gone away. If anything, it’s stronger than ever.
For condos and co-ops, this moment is an opportunity. Residents still want to know their neighbors, share experiences, and feel a sense of belonging. The question is how to create that without forcing it — and what lessons we can learn from both co-living’s ambition and its missteps.
The promise and pitfalls of co-living
Co-living promised flexible leases, built-in community, and curated events. For a while, it felt like the antidote to NYC’s isolation. But ultimately, many of these models, including Common and WeLive, didn’t survive. Why?
- Community can’t be mass-produced. Relationships built through corporate programming often felt forced or temporary.
- High turnover and short leases made it hard to create lasting bonds.
- Ownership models like co-ops and condos value stability and shared responsibility, which co-living’s transient approach couldn’t replicate.
Still, the failure of these brands doesn’t mean the idea was wrong. It means residents are looking for authentic, organic connection, not a prepackaged version of it.
Why residents still crave community
Post-pandemic, hybrid work and remote lifestyles have shifted daily routines. People spend more time at home, and they want that home to feel like more than four walls. In NYC, where buildings are dense but social ties are thin, the pull toward community is real.
We’re also seeing a cultural shift: New Yorkers are flocking to offline meetups and neighborhood events — from book clubs and rooftop yoga to block cleanups and shared gardens. It’s not about elaborate programming; it’s about smaller, opt‑in moments that make people feel rooted.
Younger buyers and long‑time residents alike are embracing this. For them, community is an amenity just as important as a renovated lobby or modern gym. It adds value, softens conflicts, and turns a building from just an address into a home.
What condos and co-ops can learn
The good news: you don’t need to reinvent your building to meet this need. Community doesn’t require corporate branding or expensive programming; it can grow from what you already have.
- Flexible common spaces: A lounge that doubles as a co-working spot by day and a movie night venue in the evening.
- Resident-led initiatives: Gardening groups, holiday decorating committees, or potluck dinners organized by volunteers, not just the board.
- Inclusive events: Start with seasonal traditions like fall cleanups, spring planting days, or rooftop summer socials.
Small steps build trust and set a tone. This is a building where people know each other, help each other, and stay invested.
Practical steps to nurture authentic connection
- Survey residents to learn what they’re interested in (and what’s missing).
- Start small with one or two recurring events rather than an overwhelming calendar.
- Use tools like Daisy's Groups to organize digitally, then encourage real‑world meetups.
- Strategic amenities that increase engagement and connection like Tulu
- Empower residents to co-create; avoid making community “the board’s job” alone.
How this supports building value and harmony
When residents feel connected, everyday life gets easier. People offer to grab packages, water plants, or watch pets while someone is away. These small favors build trust and create a building where people feel at home, not just housed.
Connected communities also support building value. Meetings are less contentious, conflicts resolve faster, and buyers increasingly look for properties with strong social fabric. This isn’t a passing trend; it’s a response to how people live now.
For Daisy buildings, features like Groups make this even simpler. It’s built right into the Daisy app, so neighbors can organize events, ask for help, or share updates — and boards don’t have to manage every detail.
