The escalating cost of living across the Western United States is pushing the American dream of homeownership further out of reach for many, with resort towns in the Rocky Mountains seeing affordable housing options supplanted by short-term vacation rentals and the tech boom in California’s Bay Area driving prices skyward. In states like Montana and Wyoming, the strong demand from affluent individuals seeking wilderness access has rendered traditional homeownership an impossibility for low-wage workers, contributing to a significant housing shortage, with seven of the ten states experiencing the most acute shortages located in the West. Amidst this landscape of financial strain and dwindling housing availability, Samantha Paige Rosen’s new book, Living, Together: Reimagining Community in the Age of Disconnection, offers a compelling exploration of communal living as a time-tested remedy.

Published by Beacon Press, Rosen’s anthology features a rich collection of essays and interviews that challenge the notion of communal living as merely a last resort for those facing financial hardship. Instead, the contributors advocate for it as a mutually beneficial arrangement that fosters vital support networks and deepens social connections. Rosen herself notes the pervasive cultural narrative in America that champions independent living as a significant life achievement, a milestone that remains unattainable for an increasing number of people. She argues that "Shaping our homes to better address physical, social, emotional and financial needs is essential for our survival."

Rosen’s personal journey also underscores the book’s central theme. In her late twenties, while navigating challenges related to her mental health, sexuality, and chronic pain, she experienced a significant rent increase. This prompted her to move back in with her parents, an arrangement that provided unexpected, comprehensive relief. This period of cohabitation with her parents, characterized by shared household responsibilities and mutual support, proved to be a positive experience that lasted for five years, extending well beyond her initial period of recovery. This lived experience inspired her to pose the pivotal question: "How might we live together in order to have happier, healthier, and more connected lives?"

In Living, Together, Rosen collaborates with 21 diverse contributors, ranging in age from their early twenties to their nineties, all of whom reside within the United States. Together, they delve into the multifaceted reasons why individuals choose communal living arrangements. For instance, Adam Vitcavage, founder of the literary platform Debutiful, shares a poignant account of reconciliation with his sister in Arizona, a state that has witnessed a staggering 72% rent increase between 2010 and 2022, alongside a 57% rise in median home sale prices. His sister’s move into his home following a divorce brought them closer, enabling them to mend a nearly estranged relationship and, as Vitcavage writes, "stop wearing masks… maybe for the first time."

The book also addresses the impact of housing shortages on urban centers, highlighting how these crises displace families, necessitate lengthy commutes, and place undue strain on senior citizens. In San Francisco, an essay by Jake Montano details his discovery of belonging within the city’s vibrant queer community. Montano recounts his experiences in drag pageants under the stage name Imelda Glucose and describes how he became part of a chosen family, a household formed by individuals often estranged from their biological families. This chosen family, Montano emphasizes, plays a crucial role in confronting and mitigating the effects of homophobia.

In Los Angeles County, a region that has seen its population decline by over 500,000 in the last decade despite growing housing demand fueled by an increase in single-person households, author Gabrielle Korn found an innovative way to supplement her income. By renting out her home office on Airbnb, she unexpectedly forged meaningful emotional connections with her guests. This experience led her to establish The Pink Door Artist and Writer Residency, offering a sanctuary for creatives who might otherwise be unable to afford such opportunities.

The soaring housing prices in Jackson Hole, Wyoming, a county known for its extreme wealth and the presence of celebrities and plutocrats, exemplify the intensified housing affordability crisis. In response to this, Adam Meyer orchestrates popular monthly dinner parties, bringing together friends and acquaintances, many of whom have been priced out of homeownership. This tradition originated during Meyer’s college years, when he harbored a vision of all his friends residing together in a large apartment building, cherishing the casual interactions that dorm life offered, like "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 reimagined and reshaped. The book highlights inspiring examples of communities actively creating new models. Boulder, Colorado, for instance, recently repealed occupancy limits that had long hindered the establishment 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 support of a land trust, safeguarding their homes from corporate buyouts. Beyond these examples, Rosen guides readers through intergenerational neighborhoods across the country that offer mutual benefits, such as housing seniors alongside families adopting children through the foster care system.

In an era marked by private equity influence, astronomical property values, and the unsettling presence of vacant second homes in popular resort towns, individuals are increasingly banding together to devise solutions and embrace communal living. Rosen, in her warm and inviting introduction, 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 viewpoints. In a contemporary landscape where even public forums can be characterized by partisan division, the harmonizing voices within Living, Together, dedicated to the vital work of building community, are deserving of a welcoming reception from readers seeking connection and tangible solutions.