Before, dorms are the first thing in people’s minds when it comes to student accommodations. Now, a relatively new residential arrangement is gaining popularity among young people, and it’s cooler than its fancy name: co-living spaces.

Considered as the perfect hybrid of a dormitory and a condominium, co-living spaces are leased out like a dorm, yet serviced and furnished like a condo. In some cases, it’s even called condormitel, as it also has some of the complimentary amenities and services of a hotel. Basically, it’s the perfect triad of modern accommodations. If this isn’t enough to pique your interest, perhaps these perks you can experience in a co-living space can:

You’ll be close to everything.

Given that co-living spaces cater to students (and young professionals), the properties are strategically located near schools and offices. Take, for instance, University Pad Residences (UPad). It has a branch near the major universities in Taft, including De La Salle University (DLSU), College of Saint Benilde (CSB), MAPUA, and Lyceum University. Another building, the P. Campa branch, stands at the University Belt, which means student-residents are a stone’s throw away from the University of Sto. Tomas (UST), Far Eastern University ( FEU), University of the East (UE), National University (NU) and Centro Escolar University (CEU).

Apart from this, you’re close to key establishments, like shopping centers, restaurants, cafes, and even museums, which can help shake the stress of student life away.

What this means is that you need not go through the hassle of commuting and getting stuck in traffic. You can get ready even half an hour before your next class. You can go home in between classes and take a power nap. You can focus more on what matters to you as a student: your studies (and not travel time).

Your best friends can be your housemates.

The core principle of co-living spaces is much like coworking spaces. You live or work with people who share the same interests and values. The sense of community is a defining feature in these condormitels.

This is the very reason it’s not just students who are drawn to co-living spaces. Among young professionals, especially digital nomads and remote workers, UPad is a very attractive residential arrangement, as it allows them to be with the very people who can understand and relate to their lifestyle — odd working hours, lulls in projects, demanding clients. In the context of university students, the freedom to pick their own roommates, unlike in university dormitories, is very enticing.

In UPad, there’s a range of rooms that cater to different needs. There are “double-sharing” spaces, which accommodate two dwellers. There are also “quadruple sharing” and “hexatruple sharing,” which can serve four and six residents, respectively, at affordable rates. All the spaces are complete with wash area and bathrooms, and furnished with stylish bunk beds, cabinets, work desks, and air-conditioning units.

You can easily “study hard, play harder.”

Most of the co-living spaces have amenities designed for such. Need space for group projects with blockmates? UPad has a student lounge, furnished with several chairs and tables. Need a place to meditate and reflect before a tough exam? There’s a prayer room you can use. If you’re feeling stressed out by your last graded recitation, shake the tension away by going on a quick dip in the swimming pool. Better yet, awaken those happy hormones by working out at the in-house gym.

You can do all these without worrying about your safety. UPad is fully equipped with 24-hour security CCTV cameras. There are guards roving around the building and complex every now and then. In addition, the main entrance door and individual rooms are only accessed through the use of a first-class RFID card security system. The UPad management also keeps log in and log out records of dwellers. It’s also worth noting that studying hard and playing harder won’t be interrupted by brownouts. The entire residence uses power generators.

Co-living spaces are increasingly becoming the new norm for young people’s accommodations. If you want the feel of a dorm, a condo, and a hotel, then this is the perfect residential arrangement for you. Hit up your friends, who will soon be your flatmates, and talk them into making yourselves at home at UPad — or better yet, at University Home (UHome), their new building opening doors next year.

This article was first published at Lamudi.com.ph