The escalating cost of living in the Western United States presents a stark challenge to the traditional ideal of homeownership, with communities across the region grappling with severe housing shortages and affordability crises. In iconic Rocky Mountain resort towns, the proliferation of short-term vacation rentals has systematically eroded the availability of housing for local residents, driving up rental prices and pushing out essential workers. Concurrently, the influx of high-paying technology companies into areas like the California Bay Area has inflated real estate markets to unsustainable levels. This potent combination of factors, fueled by an elite class’s increasing demand for pristine wilderness and scenic properties, has rendered the American dream of owning a home an increasingly distant reality for many low-wage workers, particularly in states like Montana and Wyoming. Statistics underscore the severity of the issue, with seven of the ten states experiencing the most significant housing shortages located in the Western U.S., creating a pervasive sense of hopelessness for those struggling to find stable and affordable accommodation. In response to this widespread challenge, Samantha Paige Rosen’s latest work, Living, Together: Reimagining Community in the Age of Disconnection, offers a collection of contemporary perspectives on a time-tested solution: communal living.

Published by Beacon Press, the book features a series of essays and interviews that explore the multifaceted nature of communal living, arguing that it need not be solely a pragmatic recourse for individuals facing financial hardship. Instead, Rosen and her contributors present communal living as a potentially advantageous arrangement that fosters vital support systems and deepens human connection. Rosen herself observes, "The messaging in American culture that living independently… is an important milestone, even an achievement, is nearly inescapable." Yet, this ideal remains out of reach for a growing segment of the population, prompting a reevaluation of our domestic arrangements. "Shaping our homes to better address physical, social, emotional and financial needs is essential for our survival," she emphasizes.

Rosen’s personal journey profoundly influenced her exploration of these themes. In her late twenties, while navigating personal challenges including mental health struggles, her sexuality, and chronic pain, she experienced a significant rent increase, forcing her to move back in with her parents. To her surprise, this transition provided a comprehensive sense of relief, not just financially but also emotionally and socially. She and her parents discovered a harmonious dynamic, sharing household responsibilities and enjoying each other’s company, an arrangement that lasted for five years, extending well beyond her initial period of recovery. This experience prompted Rosen to pose a pivotal question: "How might we live together in order to have happier, healthier, and more connected lives?" Through Living, Together, she collaborates with 21 contributors, ranging in age from their early twenties to their nineties, all residing in the United States, to delve into the diverse motivations behind communal living.

One poignant essay by Adam Vitcavage, founder of the literary platform Debutiful, recounts the healing of a fractured family relationship in Arizona. The state has witnessed a dramatic surge in housing costs, with rents escalating by 72% between 2010 and 2022, while the median sale price of homes increased by 57%. Vitcavage’s sister moved in with him following a divorce, and their renewed proximity facilitated a reconciliation that mended a nearly estranged bond. He reflects that by sharing a living space, they were able to "stop wearing masks… maybe for the first time."

In San Francisco, a city acutely affected by housing shortages that have displaced families, necessitated lengthy commutes, and strained elderly residents, Jake Montano’s essay illuminates the discovery of belonging within the queer community. Montano shares vivid memories of drag pageantry under the stage name Imelda Glucose, recounting how they became part of a "chosen family" – a household formed by individuals often estranged from their families of origin. This chosen family, Montano writes, "plays a critical role in addressing and remedying experiences of homophobia."

Los Angeles County, despite experiencing a population decrease of over 500,000 in the past decade, faces growing housing demand exacerbated by an increase in single-person households. In this environment, author Gabrielle Korn found herself renting out her home office on Airbnb to supplement her income. Unexpectedly, she developed deep emotional connections with the transient guests. This experience inspired her to establish The Pink Door Artist and Writer Residency, a program designed to offer a haven for creatives who might otherwise be unable to afford such an opportunity.

The luxury market in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, the nation’s wealthiest county, has seen housing prices skyrocket, driven by the exorbitant demands of celebrities and affluent individuals. In response to this unaffordability, Adam Meyer organizes popular monthly dinner parties for friends and acquaintances, many of whom have been priced out of homeownership. This tradition, which began during Meyer’s college years, stems from a long-held desire for his friends to live together in a large apartment building, evoking the sense of spontaneous connection he cherished in 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 a reimagining and reshaping of our world is not only possible but actively underway. Examples of this transformation are emerging across the country. Boulder, Colorado, recently repealed occupancy limits that had long been used to curtail the existence of co-ops, signaling a shift towards more inclusive housing models. In Durango, residents of a mobile home park, with the assistance of a land trust, collectively purchased their community, safeguarding it from a corporate buyout. Rosen’s book also guides readers to intergenerational neighborhoods in other regions, where the co-habitation of seniors and families adopting children from the foster system yields mutual benefits for all involved.

In an era dominated by private equity and astronomical property values, where vacant second homes stand as symbols of wealth disparity in resort towns, individuals are increasingly banding together to address shared challenges through communal living. In her heartfelt introduction, Rosen quotes fellow anthology editor Margot Kahn, who describes such collections as "the town hall bound in pages." Anthologies, by their nature, invite dialogue and diverse viewpoints. In a contemporary landscape where even public forums can become sites of intense polarization, this collection of voices harmonizing on the theme of building community deserves a welcoming reception from readers seeking connection and innovative solutions.