Living in Coliving: Testimonies & Community Life at La Villa

Theory is cool. But real question: what's daily life really like in coliving with 25-30 other people? Here's what people actually say.

Aurélie, 28, Marseille → Geneva

"I expected a youth hostel. Found a real community. First week, invited to 3 drinks. Now, 8 months later, I have solid friends. We do hikes weekends, share kitchen duties, help each other with work stress.

What I dislike: sometimes want alone time and there's noise. But you learn to manage."

Maxime, 32, Lyon → Annemasse

"I arrived isolated, nobody. 6 months later, know half the region. Coliving isn't forced, just there. Pool is real bonus — summer you see people, chat 5 min, boom weekend plan.

What I dislike: WiFi can be slow some evenings. But manageable."

Sofia, 26, Italian, Data Scientist

"Signed 12 months. Month 3, thought leaving. Month 6, renewing. Not perfect. But quality of life — home gym, free pool, weekly drinks — way better than alone room + 100 EUR/month gym.

What I dislike: no total privacy. But I have my room, my door."

Jonathan, 29, Startup Founder

"Never launched side project without coliving people. Developer, designer, finance guy. Talked poolside, now we work together. Wild.

For me wasn't just housing, was network."

Céline, 30, Swiss

"Took La Villa room arriving from Zurich. Knew zero people Geneva French side. Now it's my spot. See people regularly, get invited.

What I like: stability (no crazy turnover), serious people (permanent job, 12 months). What I dislike: informal hierarchy based on arrival date."

Thursday Drinks

Every Thursday, informal drinks. Not mandatory. Many come down. Bring beer, chat with people. Simple, real conversations. That's where things happen: "Need a dev?" "Restaurant recommendation?" "Hike Sunday?"

Hard to create when you're alone.

Summer Pool

Every Sunday, ~15-20 people at pool. Seems simple, revolutionary when cross-border isolated. In water, chatting, organizing picnic. Zero planning, happens naturally.

Tensions (Let's Be Honest)

• Noise past midnight
• Someone leaves stuff in kitchen
• Fridge issues
• Someone becomes best friends with someone else, feel excluded
• Cleaning disputes

But resolves. Real culture at La Villa to "talk about stuff" not ruminate.

After 12 Months, Then What?

Case 1 (50%): Renew or find solo studio. Have network, don't feel alone.

Case 2 (30%): Find apartment in classic colocation with coliving people. Keep vibe, cheaper.

Case 3 (20%): Leave (different job, back to France, other project). Leave with friends, not regrets.

Verdict

Almost everyone says same thing: "wasn't just apartment, was transition to real cross-border life."

Not for everyone. Ultra-introvert or already established? Not necessary. But arriving alone with 12-month CDI? Transformative.