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2. Guide Overview
3. Shared living and housing
4. Types of Shared Flats – An Overview of Living Models

Types of Shared Flats – An Overview of Living Models

Shared flat types and forms are as diverse as their residents. Here you will find an overview of the different shared flat types and their inhabitants.

Business WG, multigenerational WG, Plus WG, senior WG, student WG, WG for single parents, Living for help, shared flat or purpose WG – the different WG types are as varied as their residents. What all WG types have in common is that residents share common areas such as the bathroom, kitchen or living room.

The advantages of different WG types

Living in a shared flat offers the benefits of saving costs and being part of a modern network.

In a purpose WG, cost savings are the main focus, while shared activities play only a minor or even no role at all. For anyone simply looking for affordable accommodation and who is rarely at home anyway, this WG form offers an optimal way to save money. One of the best-known WG types is the student WG. Every fourth student takes advantage of the opportunity to live cheaply in a shared flat and make social contacts. Often, close friendships develop among residents, making it easier for students to settle into a new city. Many stay in touch even after moving out. But living in a WG is now also popular among professionals and seniors. The business WG for commuting professionals between 20 and 40 is one of the newest WG types. This form offers an affordable and sociable alternative to a hotel room or a single apartment. In addition to private friendships, business contacts can also arise here. In a multigenerational WG, people of different ages live together like good neighbors. This is particularly helpful for older people: while the older generation can help with childcare, the younger ones can assist with carrying heavy shopping bags. This way, residents support each other. WGs for single parents are also becoming increasingly popular. Flatmates can take turns looking after the children and relieve each other financially.

For people over 50, the Plus WG is one of the suitable WG types. Here they can live independently and without external help together. The Plus WG clearly distinguishes itself from supervised senior WGs. In the “Living for Help” project, students live together with people in need of assistance in a shared flat and help them. In return, they pay lower rent.

Living in a WG means making compromises and adhering to common rules. Therefore, it is important to find residents with similar ideas about cleanliness, order, and the way of living together. Then nothing stands in the way of a harmonious WG life.