Would You Live in an Adult Dorm? One Silicon Valley Startup Is Renting Out Shared Rooms
The future of living, at least in California's Silicon Valley, may start to look a lot like your college dorm days. Think: shower caddies, waiting to use the microwave, and hoping not too many people are using the WiFi at the same time so you can stream HGTV all night.
Enter Starcity, a California based-startup that specializes in stylish community-based living. Founded in 2016 by Jon Dishotsky, the company creates high-quality co-living facilities with fully-furnished bedrooms—and, if you're willing to pay for it, a private bathroom. Kitchens and other living spaces are shared amongst residents in order to build a sense of community (and save on rent). Members can even share bedrooms if they so please, or live alone.
For some, the idea of having to share common spaces with strangers might sound like a nightmare, bringing back memories of atrocious college roomies. However, seeing as Silicon Valley has most expensive housing costs in the entire county, the idea of co-living is becoming more and more appealing to millennials trying to stabilize their spending. Starcity currently offers eight co-living complexes in San Francisco and Los Angeles, according to the company's website. Two more are slated to open in 2021, in San Francisco and San Jose respectively.
Starcity members are required to pay a membership fee online by the 5th of each month. This fee includes their room rent (or, as Starcity refers to it, your suite); an impact cost for all utilities, streaming services, and internet; a comfort cost to cover weekly cleanings, stocked consumables, and furnishings; and a communal cost for the "experience" and events arranged by Starcity (like I said, SO COLLEGE). Basically, the monthly fee covers everything except for food—though Starcity Bassett, currently being built in San Jose, will include food and beverage retail offerings on the ground floor (including a cafe, grocer, and bar), and more! It will also have 803 units and a multi-level fitness center, making it the world's largest co-living facility upon completion.
Considering all these amenities, people looking for a temporary living arrangement in the Silicon Valley area might consider Starcity's $1,000 to $2,000 monthly fees pretty reasonable. While leases vary by complex, members typically can choose from short-term leases for three to five months, medium leases from six to 10 momths, or long term leases for 11 to 15 months lease options.
A few more things to note: Starcity complexes do honor quiet hours from 10 pm to 7 am during the week, and from 12 am to 9 am on weekends. Also, the San Francisco locations do not allow pets, but the Los Angeles complexes allows one dog per member. And yes, you're allowed to invite all your friends over to your suite for wine and craft night— you just might want to tell your floormates first.
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