The cost of living in the Western United States has become prohibitively expensive, pushing the dream of homeownership out of reach for many. In popular Rocky Mountain resort towns, the proliferation of short-term vacation rentals has systematically dismantled affordable housing options, while the economic engine of high-paying technology companies in the California Bay Area has dramatically inflated property values. This confluence of factors, driven in part by an increasing demand for wilderness access among affluent individuals, has made stable housing unattainable for low-wage workers in states like Montana and Wyoming, with seven of the ten states experiencing the most significant housing shortages located in the West. Amidst this pervasive sense of hopelessness, Samantha Paige Rosen’s new book, Living, Together: Reimagining Community in the Age of Disconnection, offers a compelling exploration of an age-old solution: communal living.

Rosen’s meticulously curated collection of essays and interviews argues that communal living is far more than a pragmatic necessity for those facing financial hardship; it is presented as a mutually beneficial arrangement that fosters robust support networks and deepens social connections. She highlights the pervasive cultural narrative in America that emphasizes independent living as a significant milestone and a mark of personal achievement, a message that remains powerful even as it becomes increasingly inaccessible for a substantial portion of the population. Rosen contends that to truly thrive, individuals must actively shape their living environments to better meet their physical, social, emotional, and financial needs, a task that becomes exponentially more challenging in isolation.

Rosen’s personal journey underscores this argument. In her late twenties, grappling with personal challenges including mental health concerns, 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 not just financial relief but a holistic sense of well-being. Working collaboratively with her parents on household tasks and responsibilities, the living situation proved remarkably harmonious and endured for five years, well beyond the period when Rosen had regained her footing. This transformative experience prompted her to pose a crucial question: "How might we live together in order to have happier, healthier, and more connected lives?"

In answering this question, Rosen has gathered insights from twenty-one contributors, ranging in age from their early twenties to their nineties, all of whom currently reside in the United States. Their diverse perspectives illuminate the multifaceted reasons behind the growing appeal of communal living arrangements. For instance, Adam Vitcavage, the founder of the literary platform Debutiful, shares a poignant account of repairing his relationship with his sister in Arizona. This state has witnessed a staggering 72% increase in rent between 2010 and 2022, coupled with a 57% rise in the median sale price of homes. His sister, who moved in following a divorce, found solace and healing in their renewed proximity, a bond strengthened by their shared living space. Vitcavage reflects that their cohabitation allowed them to "stop wearing masks… maybe for the first time," underscoring the profound emotional intimacy that can emerge from shared domesticity.

The pervasive issue of housing shortages has had far-reaching consequences across the nation, forcing families to relocate, imposing lengthy commutes, and placing immense strain on senior citizens. In San Francisco, a city acutely affected by these pressures, Jake Montano’s essay offers a powerful narrative of finding refuge and belonging within the queer community. Montano recounts their experiences in drag pageants, performing under the drag name Imelda Glucose, and details their integration into a chosen family formed through shared identity and mutual support. Many members of this chosen family have experienced estrangement from their biological relatives, and Montano emphasizes that this "family of choice plays a critical role in addressing and remedying experiences of homophobia," providing a vital network of acceptance and resilience.

Even in a region like Los Angeles County, which has seen its population decline by over 500,000 in the past decade, housing demand continues to rise, partly due to an increase in single-person households. Author Gabrielle Korn, facing financial pressures, began renting out her home office on Airbnb to supplement her income. She discovered an unexpected source of connection with the diverse array of guests who passed through her home, which inspired her to establish The Pink Door Artist and Writer Residency. This initiative provides a haven for creatives who might otherwise be unable to afford such opportunities, demonstrating how personal initiatives can blossom into community-focused solutions.

In Jackson Hole, Wyoming, a county renowned for its exceptional wealth and a playground for celebrities and the ultra-rich, housing prices have soared to astronomical levels, fueled by extreme luxury demands. In response to this affordability crisis, Adam Meyer organizes popular monthly dinner parties that bring together friends and strangers, many of whom have been priced out of homeownership in their own community. This ritual, which Meyer initiated during his college years, stemmed from a simple daydream: the idea of all his friends living together in a large apartment building. He fondly recalls the camaraderie of dorm life, where "walking by your neighbor’s room, seeing their door open, and chatting for thirty minutes" was a common and cherished experience.

Living, Together serves as a potent reminder that societal challenges, however daunting, can be addressed through collective reimagining and reshaping of our world. Several communities are already demonstrating this potential for change. Boulder, Colorado, recently took the significant step of repealing occupancy limits that had historically been enacted to restrict the formation of co-housing cooperatives, signaling a shift towards more inclusive residential policies. In Durango, residents of a mobile home park collaborated to purchase their community outright, with crucial assistance from a land trust, thereby safeguarding their homes and neighborhood from corporate acquisition. Beyond these examples, Rosen guides readers to intergenerational neighborhoods across the country where seniors and families adopting children through the foster system coexist, creating mutually beneficial environments that enrich the lives of all residents.

In an era dominated by private equity firms and escalating living costs, where the sight of vacant second homes in desirable resort towns has become a stark symbol of inequality, individuals are increasingly banding together to forge new paths and embrace communal living. Rosen’s introduction to the anthology is imbued with warmth and insight, echoing the sentiment of fellow anthology editor Margot Kahn, who described such collections as "the town hall bound in pages." Anthologies, by their nature, invite dialogue, diverse viewpoints, and the presentation of counterarguments. In a contemporary landscape where even public forums can devolve into polarized conflict, this chorus of voices harmonizing on the vital theme of community building offers a much-needed and warmly welcomed perspective for readers seeking connection and a more equitable future.