Housing costs have become so expensive in some cities that people are renting bunk beds in a communal home for $1,200 a month. Not a bedroom. A bed. PodShare is trying to help make up for the shortage of affordable housing in cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles by renting dormitory-style lodging and providing tenants a co-living experience. — CNN

In the last few years, we have written stories on recent trends in compromised living situations designed in response to severe economic conditions, such as tiny homes and micro-apartments. While these living types are challengingly small - some as compact as 100 square feet - they still offer privacy, an amenity that most would find a basic necessity.

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Co-living habitations, however, are quickly becoming a third alternative to the increasingly high cost-of-living in some of the world's most expensive cities. While companies like WeLive have tossed around the idea, a recently developed company has developed a much more extreme version. For $1,200 a month, PodShare will provide renters little more than a twin-sized mattress with as many as 220 other guests. According to CNN, the amenities are limited to "a bed, a locker, access to wifi and the chance to meet fellow 'pod-estrians.'" The concept is quickly picking up steam, as there are now six locations between Los Angeles and San Francisco, and they all typically receive full occupancy.



The PodShare living situation is akin to that of a hostel during one's travels. Anyone who has ever had to choose between a hotel and a hostel while traveling knows the value of a little privacy; one's choice can be the difference between a full room to one's own, including a desk, a bathroom and other basic amenities, and a bed in a room shared with a large group, guaranteeing an absolute lack of privacy and exclusive rights to certain amenities. On top of that, renters must agree to strict rules; guests are not allowed, lights must be out by 10pm each night, and any amenities left out are recognized as communal property.

Bunk beds in Downtown Los Angeles location.

PodShare was created in 2012 by 34-year-old Elvina Beck, herself a resident in one of the San Francisco locations. Beck conceived of PodShare as an alternative to the 'limitations' presented by lease agreements in more typical living situations, in favor of a free-spirited, nomadic lifestyle. "The goal is to empower the global citizen and live anywhere across the world for one monthly price," Beck told CNN. "A $1,000 a month [membership] should get you a chance to live from here to Taiwan back to Boston. You cover the flight and we'll cover the housing. It's all included."



While many if its tenants review it positively, many others have criticized PodShare and other co-living solutions as demonstrations of a failed housing market and economic system.

Capitalists: Socialism is bad because apartments in socialist nations like East Germany or USSR were so small, ugly and drab you don’t wanna live there



Also capitalists: pay $1000 to live on a pile of other humans https://t.co/WN8tsIgdYZ

— friedrice engels (@asianbabyghoul) July 6, 2019