The pursuit of affordable housing in the American West has become an increasingly arduous challenge, with soaring costs in popular resort towns and tech hubs pushing homeownership out of reach for many. In the Rocky Mountains, short-term vacation rentals have significantly diminished the availability of long-term residential options, while the influx of high-paying technology companies in areas like the California Bay Area has driven up property values to unprecedented levels. This demand from affluent individuals seeking a connection with the wilderness has, paradoxically, made the quintessential American dream of owning a home an unattainable aspiration for low-wage workers in states such as Montana and Wyoming. Data reveals a stark reality: seven of the ten states experiencing the most significant housing shortages are located in the Western United States. Amidst this landscape of economic strain and housing scarcity, a new book offers a compelling exploration of an age-old solution: communal living.

Samantha Paige Rosen’s latest work, Living, Together: Reimagining Community in the Age of Disconnection, published by Beacon Press, presents a collection of essays and interviews that challenge the conventional notion of communal living as merely a practical necessity born out of financial hardship. Instead, the book posits communal living as a potent arrangement that fosters profound support, enhances social connection, and ultimately offers a more fulfilling way of life. Rosen observes that American culture overwhelmingly emphasizes independent living as a significant milestone and a mark of achievement, a message that is "nearly inescapable." However, for a growing segment of the population, this ideal remains economically and practically out of reach, underscoring Rosen’s assertion that "Shaping our homes to better address physical, social, emotional and financial needs is essential for our survival."

Rosen’s personal journey provided a foundational understanding for her exploration of communal living. In her late twenties, while navigating personal challenges including mental health struggles, exploring her sexuality, and managing chronic pain, she experienced a significant rent increase of 10%. This financial pressure led her to move back in with her parents, an arrangement she initially viewed as a temporary setback. To her surprise, this transition brought about a comprehensive sense of relief, extending beyond financial stability. She found a harmonious dynamic with her parents, where shared responsibilities and mutual support became the norm, allowing the arrangement to last for five years, well beyond her initial period of needing support.

This lived experience prompted Rosen to ask a fundamental question: "How might we live together in order to have happier, healthier, and more connected lives?" In Living, Together, she collaborates with twenty-one contributors, ranging in age from their early twenties to their nineties, all of whom currently reside in the United States. Together, they delve into the multifaceted reasons why individuals choose to embrace communal living arrangements.

One particularly poignant essay by Adam Vitcavage, the founder of the literary platform Debutiful, details the process of repairing a fractured family relationship in Arizona. This state has witnessed a dramatic surge in housing costs, with rents increasing by 72% between 2010 and 2022, while the median sale price of houses climbed by 57%. Vitcavage’s sister moved in with him following a divorce, and their newfound proximity facilitated a healing of their previously estranged bond. He reflects on how their shared living space allowed them to "stop wearing masks… maybe for the first time."

The pervasive issue of housing shortages has had a profound impact on communities across the country, forcing families to relocate, necessitating lengthy commutes, and placing considerable strain on senior citizens. In San Francisco, a city grappling with these challenges, Jake Montano’s essay recounts his discovery of a home within the vibrant queer community. Montano shares his experiences in drag pageants under the persona Imelda Glucose and describes how he became part of a chosen family, many of whom had experienced estrangement from their biological relatives. This chosen family, he writes, "plays a critical role in addressing and remedying experiences of homophobia."

Los Angeles County, despite a population decrease of over 500,000 in the past decade, has seen a surge in housing demand fueled by an increase in single-person households. Amidst this complex urban dynamic, author Gabrielle Korn found an innovative way to supplement her income by renting out her home office on Airbnb. The unexpected emotional connections she developed with her guests inspired her to establish The Pink Door Artist and Writer Residency, providing a much-needed opportunity for creatives who might otherwise be unable to afford such a supportive environment.

In Jackson Hole, Wyoming, located in the nation’s wealthiest county, housing prices have skyrocketed, largely driven by the extravagant demands of celebrities and plutocrats. In response to this unaffordable market, Adam Meyer hosts popular monthly dinner parties for friends and acquaintances, many of whom have been priced out of homeownership in the area. This tradition, which began during Meyer’s college years, stemmed from his yearning for a connected living experience, recalling how he "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 societal structures and living arrangements can be re-envisioned and reshaped. The book highlights examples of communities actively embracing this change. Boulder, Colorado, for instance, recently repealed occupancy limits that had long been in place to restrict the formation of co-ops, signaling a shift towards more inclusive housing policies. 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 reside together, creating mutually beneficial living environments.

In an era characterized by private equity, astronomical housing prices, and a growing number of vacant second homes in desirable resort towns, individuals are increasingly banding together to find solutions and create communal living spaces. In her heartfelt introduction, Rosen draws a parallel to fellow anthology editor Margot Kahn, who described such collections as "the town hall bound in pages." Anthologies, by their nature, foster dialogue and present diverse perspectives. In a contemporary world where even public forums can be sites of intense polarization, this compilation of voices harmonizing on the theme of community building offers a welcome and timely contribution to readers seeking connection and innovative approaches to shared living.