Safety in coliving: Beyond walls and locks

In 2024, our understanding of home has shifted dramatically. With more people embracing mobility and flexible living arrangements, traditional notions of homeownership and fixed addresses are being replaced by the desire for a space that offers security and the freedom to grow. Shared living models have experienced substantial expansion as it meets the rising demand for flexible and community oriented living solutions. People are seeking homes that can adapt to their changing needs, allowing them to move freely for work, personal exploration or experiences without sacrificing the sense of stability that a home provides.

Home is no longer a fixed place or a permanent address—it’s where we feel secure, grounded and able to grow. It’s where we find stability, even amidst constant change. Whether moving for work, exploring new opportunities, or seeking personal growth, your home must provide the safety that allows you to step confidently into the unknown.

Flexibility requires a foundation of safety

In a previous article, we explored how people in today’s world crave flexibility—the ability to adapt and move forward without feeling trapped by their living arrangements. But to fully embrace change, there’s a foundational element that must be in place first: safety. Before you can thrive in any environment, you need to feel secure—physically, emotionally and mentally. This demonstrates the crucial role safety plays in creating spaces where people feel empowered to connect and flourish.

Feeling at home starts with this sense of safety. It begins within yourself, extends to your physical surroundings and radiates out to the people around you. At Vuvale, we’ve developed a framework that ensures safety is at the heart of the coliving experience. It’s not just about having a roof over your head or a lock on the door—it’s about creating an environment where residents feel protected, respected and supported. Safety, both physical and emotional, is the foundation of feeling at home. It allows you to focus on connecting with yourself and others and ultimately thrive in your environment.

Physical safety: More than just security

Physical safety goes beyond locked doors and cameras. It’s about creating a stable, resilient and reliable environment. Residents need to trust that their home is well maintained—that heating works in winter and water runs smoothly. The reliability of these systems, from functional plumbing to safe electrical setups, fosters predictability and security, enabling residents to relax and focus on living. At Vuvale, we prioritize physical safety through reliable building security, with advanced access control systems, CCTV monitoring and well maintained facilities that ensure all residents can move freely without worry.

Privacy is a key component of physical safety and overall wellbeing. While coliving encourages shared experiences and connection, it’s equally essential that residents have access to personal spaces where they can retreat and feel autonomous. Balancing social moments with solo time is crucial to getting the most out of the experience. Private rooms or areas with secure locks, separate from the communal environment, ensure that everyone has their own sanctuary. This personal space allows individuals to recharge, reflect and practice self care, fostering both independence and peace of mind. You need to fill your own cup first before engaging with the community, making this balance a cornerstone of a fulfilling coliving lifestyle.

Vuvale empowers residents to make conscious choices about how they live. This awareness creates the freedom to navigate between solitude and social interaction, ultimately giving access to the best of both worlds. You decide how to engage each day, each moment.

Emotional safety: Trust, respect and inclusivity

At Vuvale, emotional safety is built through a culture of inclusivity, trust and mutual respect. We’ve created community guidelines that promote open communication and empathic interactions. Whether it’s through regular community check-ins, shared activities, or informal conversations in communal spaces, we work to ensure that every resident feels seen, heard and valued. 

This approach is in line with findings from Harvard University’s research on social connection and health, which show that strong social ties can significantly improve mental and physical wellbeing. This underscores the importance of creating emotionally supportive environments where residents can form meaningful connections and thrive.

Handling conflicts with care is essential in coliving settings. Encouraging openness and compassion in disagreements fosters an environment where trust can flourish. In a shared space, where you are constantly interacting with others, it’s important to know that you are part of a supportive community. This emotional security allows residents to take risks, grow personally and connect meaningfully with those around them. When people feel emotionally safe, they are more likely to participate fully in community life, which strengthens the overall sense of belonging within the space.

Feeling at home is also about comfort

When we think of home, comfort often comes to mind, a place where essential needs are met and we can relax without worry. In 2024, however, comfort means more than just having a bed to sleep in or a kitchen to cook in. It’s about living in an environment that is well maintained, hygienic and designed to meet everyday needs effortlessly. At Vuvale, comfort is seamlessly woven into every aspect of our design. We provide clean, functional and inviting spaces, enhanced by smart, innovative solutions like multifunctional furniture, optimized space usage and advanced amenities such as smart laundry machines. Hidden and mobile storage options maximize living areas, while smart access locks offer convenience and security, ensuring a reliable and predictable living experience where residents can focus on thriving.

Comfort at Vuvale also extends beyond physical amenities; it encompasses mental fitness and physical wellbeing. We create spaces where residents feel free to unwind, reflect and reconnect with themselves. Thoughtful details like well designed interiors, cosy communal areas and the option to personalise private spaces (with non-permanent items*) give residents a sense of ownership and belonging. This holistic approach ensures that comfort is both practical and emotional, providing residents the peace of mind and mental space they need to recharge and thrive.

Safety as a portal to connection and growth

Maslow's hierarchy of needs is a psychological theory that explains human motivation in five levels, starting from basic survival needs like food and shelter and progressing toward higher goals, such as self fulfilment and personal growth.

At the base of this hierarchy is safety, a fundamental need that must be met before people can focus on connecting with others and realizing their potential. Safety is the foundation to everything else. When you feel safe, both physically and emotionally, you can begin to connect—with yourself, with others and with your surroundings. In 2024, feeling at home is about knowing that you have the freedom to explore who you are, pursue your goals and interact openly with the people around you.

This sense of safety allows residents to invest in their personal growth and wellbeing. At Vuvale, we believe that once safety is established, residents can fully engage with the opportunities around them, whether through workshops, social events, or simply sharing life with others. According to research by the Global Wellness Institute, people who feel safe and supported in their living environments report higher levels of happiness and are more likely to participate in community activities, enhancing both their wellbeing and the overall community dynamic.

Vuvale goes beyond basic safety protocols to cultivate a truly supportive environment. Our holistic approach integrates cutting edge security technology with community driven practices, ensuring that residents feel both protected and connected. This unique combination of physical safety, emotional support and community engagement sets Vuvale as an example in the future of living movement.

Reimagining home for 2024 and beyond

Feeling at home means much more than having a roof over your head or a lock on your door. It’s about feeling secure in every sense—physically, emotionally and within your community. It’s about knowing that you are part of a space where you are respected, where your needs are met and where you have the freedom to grow. At Vuvale, we prioritize safety because we know that it is the essential first step to creating a home where people can truly connect and thrive.

In this evolving world, safety is not just a feature—it’s the foundation that allows us to build meaningful, flexible and fulfilling lives. When you feel safe, you can fully embrace change and take on new challenges, knowing that your home base is a secure and supportive environment. Vuvale is committed to providing this foundation, ensuring that all residents feel at home, wherever they are in their personal journey.

As we move forward, we invite you to explore what it means to feel at home in 2024 and beyond. Discover how Vuvale’s innovative approach to coliving can help you find a space where safety, community and personal growth come together, creating a true sense of home that evolves with you. Join us in reimagining what it means to feel secure, connected and empowered in your living space. Experience a shared living lifestyle that goes beyond housing—experience a community that supports your journey, every step of the way.

Vuvale is transforming the way people experience living by offering high quality, flexible and accessible housing options centered around community and wellbeing. Drawing inspiration from the Fijian word for family and the sense of being welcomed into someone's home as if it were your own. Vuvale creates inclusive environments where residents feel truly welcomed, supported and connected. Its purpose built coliving spaces come with shared amenities like coworking spaces, rooftop barbecues, a cinema and wellness programs, catering to diverse lifestyles.