The American West, particularly its picturesque resort towns and bustling tech hubs, is facing a profound housing crisis, pushing the dream of homeownership further out of reach for many. In regions like the Rocky Mountains, the proliferation of short-term vacation rentals has decimated affordable housing stock, while in California’s Bay Area, the influx of high-paying technology companies has driven property values to stratospheric heights. This demand from affluent individuals for exclusive wilderness access has rendered traditional homeownership an impossibility for low-wage workers in states such as Montana and Wyoming, with seven of the ten states experiencing the most severe housing shortages located in the Western U.S. Amidst this pervasive sense of hopelessness fueled by the lack of affordable shelter, Samantha Paige Rosen’s new book, Living, Together: Reimagining Community in the Age of Disconnection, offers a compelling exploration of a time-tested solution: communal living.

Rosen’s compilation of essays and interviews argues persuasively that communal living is not merely a pragmatic necessity for those facing financial strain but can instead be a deeply rewarding arrangement that fosters robust support systems and meaningful connections. She observes that American culture persistently emphasizes independent living as a significant life achievement, an ideal that remains unattainable for a substantial portion of the population. "Shaping our homes to better address physical, social, emotional and financial needs is essential for our survival," Rosen asserts, highlighting the urgent need to rethink our domestic structures.

Rosen’s personal journey underscores this sentiment; in her late twenties, while navigating personal challenges including mental health struggles, her sexuality, and chronic pain, she experienced a significant rent increase that forced her to move back in with her parents. To her surprise, this arrangement provided a comprehensive sense of relief, enabling her and her parents to collaborate effectively on household management. This cohabitation lasted for five years, extending well beyond her period of recovery and demonstrating the profound benefits of shared living. This experience prompted Rosen to pose a critical question: "How might we live together in order to have happier, healthier, and more connected lives?"

In her anthology, Rosen collaborates with twenty-one contributors, ranging in age from their twenties to their nineties, all residing in the United States, to delve into the multifaceted reasons why individuals choose communal living. Adam Vitcavage, the founder of the literary platform Debutiful, shares a poignant account of family reconciliation in Arizona, a state that has witnessed a staggering 72% rent increase between 2010 and 2022, alongside a 57% rise in the median sale price of homes. His sister’s decision to move in with him after a divorce, facilitated by their renewed proximity, allowed them to mend a nearly estranged relationship. Vitcavage reflects that through their shared living space, they were able to "stop wearing masks… maybe for the first time."

The pervasive housing shortages have had a significant impact across the nation, forcing families to relocate, necessitating lengthy commutes, and placing immense pressure on senior citizens. In San Francisco, where these challenges are particularly acute, Jake Montano’s essay details finding a sense of belonging within the queer community. Montano recounts their experiences in drag pageants under the stage name Imelda Glucose and describes joining a chosen family formed by individuals who were often estranged from their families of origin. This chosen family, Montano emphasizes, "plays a critical role in addressing and remedying experiences of homophobia."

Los Angeles County, despite a demographic decline of over 500,000 residents in the past decade, has paradoxically seen increased housing demand driven by a rise in single-person households. Amidst these complex dynamics, author Gabrielle Korn found herself renting out her home office on Airbnb to supplement her income. The unexpected emotional connections she formed with her guests inspired her to establish The Pink Door Artist and Writer Residency, providing a vital opportunity for creatives who might otherwise be unable to afford such a space.

In Jackson Hole, Wyoming, situated in one of the nation’s wealthiest counties, housing prices have soared, driven by the extravagant demands of celebrities and plutocrats. In response to this escalating crisis, Adam Meyer orchestrates popular monthly dinner parties, bringing together friends and strangers, many of whom have been priced out of homeownership. This tradition evolved from Meyer’s college days, when he envisioned his friends all living together in a grand apartment building, cherishing the casual interactions of dorm life: "I really did love that part of dorm life – walking by your neighbor’s room, seeing their door open, and chatting for thirty minutes."

Living, Together serves as a powerful reminder that the world can be reimagined and reshaped into something new, and indeed, positive transformations are already occurring in various communities. Boulder, Colorado, recently repealed occupancy limits that had long constrained the establishment of co-ops, signaling a shift towards more inclusive housing models. In Durango, residents of a mobile home park successfully collaborated to purchase their community with the assistance of a land trust, preserving their homes and their neighborhood from a corporate buyout. Beyond these specific examples, Rosen guides readers to intergenerational neighborhoods across the country where seniors and families adopting children through the foster system live together, creating mutually beneficial environments.

In an era characterized by private equity dominance and exorbitant property values, where numerous homes in resort towns stand vacant as second residences, individuals are increasingly banding together to confront challenges and embrace communal living. Rosen, in her warm and inviting introduction, draws a parallel to fellow anthology editor Margot Kahn, who aptly describes such collections as "the town hall bound in pages." Anthologies, by their nature, encourage dialogue and present diverse viewpoints. In today’s polarized climate, where even public forums can become sites of acrimonious debate, this harmonious chorus of voices dedicated to building community offers a much-needed and welcome perspective for readers.