How To Avoid Feeling Lonely In A Big City
It is no secret that many people today feel lonely. In 2019, studies found that 1 in 5 Canadians were lonely. With the addition of social distancing, quarantine, and Covid-19 in 2020, that number has risen to 54% of Canadians. These figures are alarming, especially considering that younger people aged 18-34 ranked even higher, at 68%. Loneliness has been proven to contribute to heightened rates of depression, anxiety, stress, loss of sleep, and some experts argue that chronic loneliness can be more harmful to a person’s health than smoking 15 cigarettes a day.
The loneliness epidemic is an even bigger problem in large cities, where condo living isolates tenants. In combination with the affordable housing crisis, lack of job security, reliance on social media, and the Covid-19 pandemic, cities like Toronto are being called upon to create a greater sense of community among their inhabitants. The relationship between urban design and loneliness cannot be ignored, but it is not too late to change how people live together in big cities.
The Solution? Coliving
Coliving is designed to bring likeminded people together in a shared living space. As Andrew Varden, a 36-year old designer for a tech company who lives at Bathurst and Fort York suggested, “it would be easier [to get to know my neighbors if there were spaces in the condo where residents could naturally congregate.” This problem can be found in multiple large cities globally. A 2017 survey found that in Vancouver, people who live in buildings of more than five storeys reported significantly greater difficulty making friends, feeling less welcome in their neighborhood, and tending to avoid interaction with strangers more than in other building types, like detached homes and townhouses.
This is where HOME is Coliving comes in. For students, recent graduates, those new to the workforce, ex-pats, immigrants, and those looking to create deeper connections, a large city full of people can be intimidating. After living in London, England, HOME co-founder Vanessa Flint was feeling this loneliness first hand for multiple years. Upon returning to Toronto, Vanessa knew that the city could benefit from a coliving company bringing people together for the sake of community and connection. Coliving not only tackles social isolation in otherwise secluded large cities, but it also takes the hassle out of furnishing a space, finding a roommate, and comes with many built-in amenities.
The disappearance of public green spaces, the ability to make new friends, and an out of touch work-life balance all play a role in big-city loneliness. Coliving works to address these issues by providing common areas, connecting likeminded people, and providing stress-free housing for those already under pressure in a new city.
Don’t Worry, You Are Not Alone In Your Loneliness
Chances are, many of the people around you in a big city are experiencing the same type of loneliness that you are. While many young people don’t want to talk about their loneliness or feel they don’t have anyone to talk to about important issues, the good news is that you are not alone in feeling this way. Through small acts of kindness, the courage to say something new, and living in a place that encourages community, such as HOME, you can take the small but necessary steps needed to stop feeling so lonely in your new city and start thriving in it.
