Sri Lankan expat pays $2.1K monthly rent for NYC co-living arrangement

Ishan Abeysekera, a 33-year-old native of Sri Lanka, shares his home in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, with over two dozen people as part of a shared living space. The arrangement costs him $2,100 in rent each month.

In an interview with CNBC, Abeysekera described life in his "cohab" home as reminiscent of college dorms but more respectful. Despite the shared bathrooms and kitchens and constant proximity to others, he finds the experience manageable.

When Abeysekera first moved to New York from London in 2022 for work, his company initially provided him with a one-bedroom apartment in the Financial District. However, when it was time to find his own place, the high cost of living led him to explore alternative housing options.

A Google search introduced him to Cohabs, a company specializing in shared living spaces that offer fully furnished bedrooms and communal areas. With a budget between $2,000 and $3,000, he found accommodation within his range at Cohabs' Crown Heights property.

Abeysekera saw this shared living experience as an opportunity to make friends in a new city. "How do you really meet people when you are new to a city? This seemed like a great way to do that," he told CNBC.

The building where Abeysekera resides has four floors and 24 bedrooms occupied by tenants primarily in their 20s and 30s. Cohabs also operates similar properties in Manhattan and several European cities including Madrid, Paris, London, and Milan.

The home features several communal spaces such as a sizable TV room in the basement with an extra-large couch. In the kitchen area, each roommate has designated storage for pantry items and individual shelves within six refrigerators.

Abeysekera's rent covers Wi-Fi, utilities, weekly cleaning services, and monthly communal breakfasts. His bedroom is equipped with essential furnishings including a bed, storage space, desk light, walk-in closet; he shares a bathroom with just one other person.

Reflecting on his experience over the past 18 months living there: "Once I had to wait 15 minutes for the shower which I think is fine," he remarked. He attributes the smooth coexistence among housemates to ample shared amenities and personal space afforded by private rooms.

The property also includes outdoor areas like a terrace and rooftop where residents can socialize or relax. Abeysekera expressed satisfaction with his current living situation: “There’s not a lot that would make me move out.” He added that communal living has enriched his life significantly.