How to find the best coliving in San Francisco?

Moving to San Francisco can be as exciting as it is challenging. Whether you’re coming for remote work, studies, a creative project, or just to explore the city for a while, finding good accommodation should be one of your priorities. And if you could live and work in the same place, your stay would surely be much simpler. In this regard, staying in a coliving in San Francisco is a practical, social, and flexible alternative for living in one of the most expensive destinations in the United States.

Today, we’ve put together a selection of colivings in San Francisco that stand out for their location, community, services, and design. We’ll tell you what they offer, what the atmosphere is like, how they compare to other options like Airbnb or student housing, and why they can make your experience in the city much more comfortable and connected.

Before we start, one clarification: While San Francisco offers a much more developed coliving scene compared to other cities, not all spaces operate the same way. Some are aimed at entrepreneurs and digital nomads, others at creative profiles or students. And there are options ranging from boutique shared houses to entire buildings with coworking and events. We’ll help you find the one that best suits your style!

What are the benefits of staying in a coliving in San Francisco?

Moving to a city like San Francisco is not just about finding a place to sleep. It’s also about seeking community, stability, services that simplify your daily life, and an environment that supports your lifestyle. If you’ve read our article on what a coliving is, you’ll know that these aspects set them apart from traditional accommodations like hotels, rental apartments, or Airbnb.

Now, we’ll share the most notable advantages of living in a coliving in San Francisco and why this alternative could be key to a more practical, connected, and enriching experience.

By the way, if this destination is just one stop on a long journey across the United States, we recommend reading our articles on the best colivings in Los Angeles and New York to learn where to stay in these big cities. Now, let’s look at the advantages:

• Real savings compared to other options: Living in San Francisco can be very expensive. A coliving lets you cut costs by sharing spaces without sacrificing comfort or location. With services included (such as WiFi, cleaning, laundry, or even a gym), you avoid additional charges that you would pay for in an Airbnb or traditional rental apartment.
• Strategic locations with good connectivity: Many colivings are in key areas like SoMa, Mission District, or Hayes Valley, where you not only have good public transport links but also proximity to cafés, coworking spaces, startups, parks, and universities. Perfect for getting around without a car.
• Fast internet and spaces ready for work: San Francisco is home to thousands of remote workers. That’s why colivings are well-equipped with high-speed WiFi, individual desks, coworking areas, and booths for video calls, so you don’t have to worry about finding a good café with sockets.
• Community-focused environment with a professional focus: Unlike an Airbnb or hostel, a coliving connects you with other people who are also working, entrepreneuring, or studying. It’s easy to make contacts, exchange ideas, or even share projects. Many spaces organise afterworks, workshops, dinners, or networking events.
• Flexibility to stay for as long as you need: Some colivings allow stays from one month, while others offer weekly or even annual plans. You won’t need to sign long-term contracts or deal with complicated paperwork. Everything is managed online in just a few steps.
• More services included than most accommodations: In addition to furniture and common spaces, many colivings in San Francisco include coffee, breakfast, weekly cleaning, yoga classes, or discounts on local events. All of this adds value and comfort if you plan to stay for a while.

What are the best colivings in San Francisco?

Now that you know all the benefits of choosing a coliving in San Francisco, it’s time to tell you about what we believe are the best options. To select the spaces we’ll share next, we considered key criteria such as location, comfort level, quality of workspaces, type of community that forms, and, of course, flexibility in stay duration.

Keep in mind that San Francisco has a wide range of options, from entire buildings designed for digital nomads and students to boutique houses that prioritise design and wellbeing. In other words, there are many choices. In this guide, you’ll discover five colivings that stand out above the rest, all well-connected and with environments suited to those who want to settle in without complications.

1- Outsite – Mission District: Coliving + coworking in the heart of the city

Outsite Mission District is located in a classic Victorian house near Garfield Square, in one of the most vibrant neighbourhoods of San Francisco. This area connects you with trendy cafés, street art, urban parks, and frequent public transport. Here, Outsite offers a blend of shared home and workspace, designed for professionals, digital nomads, and creatives who value community, mobility, and comfort.

Accommodation and capacity

The space features private rooms, some with en-suite bathrooms, and others shared, all furnished and ready for you to move in from day one. There are options for both singles and more spacious rooms, designed for one person or couples.

Workspaces and connectivity

Inside the house, there are common areas: A large kitchen, shared areas with desks for working, and even tables in the garden. They also have high-speed WiFi and video call booths for private meetings. Outsite’s philosophy ensures environments that are conducive to both focus and informal exchanges.

Common areas: Indoors and outdoors

The large kitchen is integrated into an indoor space with a lounge and library, from which you can access a patio in the back. Outdoors, there is a terrace and areas for barbecues, ideal for working outside or socialising with your housemates.

Services included and benefits

Outsite offers weekly cleaning of common areas, on-site laundry, coffee, tea, filtered water, and basic kitchen supplies. All utilities are included: Internet, electricity, water, and common charges, which simplifies management and avoids surprise expenses.

Community, memberships, and events

To access, you first take the Outsite membership ($150 or €130/year), which allows you to book at any location in their network. Once there, you can participate in social events like dinners, afterworks, yoga sessions, or other informal activities.

Prices and Stays

Private rooms in Mission District cost approximately $800-1,200/week (€690-1,040); while a room with a shared bathroom is about $700 (€605). Rates vary depending on duration and season, so we recommend checking directly for a quote. Long stays (30 days or more) offer attractive discounts, especially with an active membership.

Why choose Outsite – Mission?

Outsite Mission District is ideal if you’re looking for a space that combines residence with productivity, community, and good connectivity. Rooms are ready to move into, with included services and work areas. This gives you the “home + office” feel without long contracts or setting up your own facilities.

Moreover, the membership gives you global access to other Outsite locations, and the flexible pricing options allow you to adapt to different lengths of stay and budgets.

2- Outsite – Pacific Heights: Boutique coliving in an upscale neighbourhood

Outsite Pacific Heights is located in a classic four-storey house in one of San Francisco’s most refined areas. Pacific Heights is known for its iconic mansions, quiet streets, and Fillmore Street access. This space offers boutique coliving, combining privacy, style, and community. It’s ideal for professionals and digital nomads seeking comfort and extended stays with Outsite’s backing.

Accommodation and capacity

The house has nine private rooms, three of which include en-suite bathrooms and six share a bathroom. They are furnished with a desk and wardrobe, designed to provide comfort for one or two people. The environments share air conditioning, heating, and modern furniture, allowing you to feel “at home” from day one.

Workspaces and connectivity

Although there is no formal coworking space, the work experience is integrated into the home: The property has common areas with desks, a modern kitchen that also serves as a collaborative workspace, and a backyard garden ideal for working outdoors with your laptop. Of course, WiFi is high-speed, perfect for video calls or high-performance tasks.

Common areas and social interaction

Connection between residents naturally happens in the fully equipped kitchen and the patio with a grill. Shared breakfasts and outdoor meals facilitate bonding among guests. The interior offers lounge and reading spaces for relaxation or creative exchange.

Services included and membership

As with all Outsite locations, membership is required: There is an annual option for $149 (€130) or a lifetime option for $399 (€345), giving access to over 40 spaces, special offers, a community hub, and reward points. Once you’re a member, your stay includes maintenance, laundry, coffee, tea, and common charges (water, electricity, internet). The membership also unlocks benefits like discounts, an exclusive hub, and a rewards programme.

Prices and Stays

The costs for Outsite Pacific Heights start at around $684 (€595) per week and include cleaning, laundry, and basic services. Stays can be weekly or monthly, and with membership, progressive discounts apply: 15% for stays over 7 days, 30% for stays over 30 days, and up to 35% for stays over 60 days.

Why choose Outsite – Pacific Heights as a coliving in San Francisco?

This space is ideal if you’re looking for a balance between privacy, discreet community, and a prime residential area. With spacious rooms, full services, and Outsite membership, it is perfect. It’s a great choice for long stays in a peaceful and stylish environment. Additionally, discounts based on duration and global access thanks to the membership make you feel part of a well-supported international community.

3- Urbanest – 1080 Folsom: Tech dorm with a coliving spirit

Urbanest – 1080 Folsom is located in the vibrant SoMa district, San Francisco’s tech and arts hub. This location is ideal for those working in startups, AI, or educational institutions, as it’s close to incubators, tech companies, universities, and just steps away from the Muni. It presents itself as a “tech dorm”: A modern, functional coliving space adapted for young professionals and students.

Accommodation and capacity

The building offers 40 fully furnished rooms (private, double, triple). All include a bed, desk, mini-fridge, and heating. The capacity is designed for a young audience: Entrepreneurs, students, and tech people seeking functionality and community without luxuries. If you fit this profile, it could be a great coliving alternative in San Francisco.

Workspaces and connectivity

Urbanest has refurbished common areas, a community kitchen, and a workspace on the ground floor, perfect for working. It also offers bike racks, high-speed WiFi, and an ideal environment for video calls. The design aims to foster spontaneous meetings among residents who share an interest in technology, startups, or professional development.

Common areas and social interaction

The space includes a large kitchen for shared meals, a lounge with modern furniture, and personal lockers. There’s also on-site laundry, 24-hour reception, and security systems. Community activities are encouraged but not mandatory, so it’s a place to connect if you want or need to, without pressure.

Services included and cleaning

Everything is designed to simplify your life: Electricity, water, WiFi, weekly cleaning of common areas, and laundry services are included. Additionally, the building has on-site management and security, with cameras and regular maintenance, eliminating logistical worries.

Prices and memberships

Prices vary depending on the length of stay:

• For contracts of three to four months, prices are around $1,195 (€1,035) for a private room, $700 (€605) for a double, and $600 (€505) for a triple per person per month.
• If you extend your stay to six or eight months, prices drop to $1,095 (€950), $600 (€520), and $500 (€430). And, if you stay for more than nine months, the price for a private room goes down even further, to $995 (€860).
  There are no external memberships like at Outsite, but you will have accommodation with included services and flexibility depending on the contract.

Why choose Urbanest – 1080 Folsom?

Urbanest is ideal if you are in the tech or academic world. It offers a functional, affordable, and connected environment with the SF professional community. Its focus on “tech dorms” offers economies of scale, furnished accommodation, an international community, and services included without extra hassle. For many AI workers or startup employees, living in a shared space near colleagues and mentors often also represents a competitive advantage.

4- Hive Coliving – SoMa: Community coliving in downtown San Francisco

Hive Coliving is in the heart of SoMa, a dynamic San Francisco area. The district is filled with startups, design cafés, and cultural spaces. The 115 m² house has 50 rooms and 12 bathrooms. It offers authentic coliving for entrepreneurs, creatives, and early-stage professionals. The focus is on sharing space, resources, and, above all, community. Another great coliving option in San Francisco!

Accommodation and capacity

Hive organises its accommodation in private, double, and triple rooms. They furnish the rooms with basic furniture, high-quality beds, mini-fridges, and lockers, so you only have to worry about bringing your luggage. The triples are an affordable option, starting at $700/month (€605), or $575/month (€500) if you stay for more than four months.

Workspaces and connectivity

Hive has an integrated coworking space within the common area, featuring sofas, desks, and high-speed WiFi. The space also has a small gym, on-site laundry, and 24/7 access for residents who need flexibility in their routine.

Common areas and social interaction

The large kitchen, lounges with smart TVs, backyards, and the gym provide multiple settings for socializing. Hive encourages social interaction through activities like BBQs, movie nights, communal dinners, games, creative workshops, and networking events.

Services included and cleaning

Costs include all basic services: Electricity, water, WiFi, weekly cleaning of common areas, basic kitchen supplies, maintenance, and security. Regular cleaning staff and support for any issues are also provided.

Prices and memberships

Hive offers flexible plans: Triples start at $700/month (€605) ($575 or €500/month with a four-month contract). Double and private rooms start at $800 and $1,400/month (€695 and €1,215) respectively ($675 and $1,175/month with a four-month contract, or €585 and €1,020).

Community and culture

Hive aims to be an inclusive space with a multicultural atmosphere, attracting entrepreneurs, students, artists, and professionals. Its selection system is based on affinities, continuous event organization, and the idea of a “global family” among residents.

Why choose Hive Coliving?

Hive is ideal if you’re looking for a coliving space in San Francisco that is authentic, has a community vibe, and is in the middle of the city. It’s a mix between shared living and a professional support network. If you value living with like-minded people, having constant events, sharing projects, and at the same time paying much less than traditional rent, while having all services included, Hive is one of the most genuine options in this great city.

5- Mission Control – Hacker house with an entrepreneurial spirit

Located in the heart of SoMa, Mission Control is much more than a place to sleep. Founded in 2013 by former Thiel fellows, it is a hacker house. It’s a shared space for people creating, researching, or learning something they are passionate about.  This shared housing attracts people in tech, science, or entrepreneurship. They live together while developing projects, ideas, or startups. The term “hacker” refers to its original meaning: a creative, constructive, self-taught mindset. They seek innovative solutions to problems, not cyberattacks.

Unlike coliving, many spaces are modest or adapted. Examples include beds in lofts, closets, or tents inside the house. The concept is to live together, work hard, share resources, and grow in community. There are no luxuries or big amenities, but there is a unique creative energy. In cities like San Francisco, New York, or Berlin, hacker houses are popular. These suit programmers, designers, researchers, or advanced students. They prefer investing in community over traditional rent.

Accommodation and dynamics

The house accommodates around 8-10 people. The rooms are simple and functional; in fact, at various times, residents have improvised rest spaces with tents or even in closets. But that modesty is part of the place’s spirit: Here, community, collaboration, and learning are prioritised, not design or visual comfort. Everything is based on a shared economy and a democratic decision-making system. Cleaning and order are the collective responsibility.

Workspaces and community

There is no formal coworking, but there is an environment conducive to working on tech projects. All residents are involved in something challenging: Software development, research, artificial intelligence, science, art, or philosophy. Learning happens both at the dining table and in late-night conversations. The house fosters a culture of focus, productivity, and mutual help. As its members say, it’s an environment for people who “don’t want to be surrounded by influencers, but by visionaries.”

Services and lifestyle

The monthly price is around $1,600 (€1,385), quite affordable for San Francisco considering it includes accommodation, workspace, and a community with common interests. There are no memberships or commercial requirements, but there is a selection based on affinity and purpose. The entry process is by application, and they prioritize motivated profiles who want to contribute value to the group. The atmosphere is sober and focused: No alcohol consumption or parties are allowed inside the house.

Why choose Mission Control?

Clearly, Mission Control has a different style than the other colivings we’ve mentioned in San Francisco. If you are a developer, entrepreneur, or student with a project, and you seek an intense, smart, and collaborative community, this is the place. It’s not a coliving for relaxation: It’s a creative space. You won’t find amenities or social events. Instead, you get a challenging environment that forces you to grow. You will be surrounded by people working on something big.

Unlimited Internet in San Francisco Without Changing SIM or Paying Roaming

Are you planning to spend a while in San Francisco for work, studies, or simply to enjoy the tech hub of the United States? With Holafly’s unlimited data plan, you’ll have internet from the moment you arrive, without paperwork, roaming charges, or worrying about data limits. This way, you won’t need to depend on the WiFi at your coliving and can move around the city without losing connection.

For $67.90 (€58.90) per month, you get unlimited data with automatic renewal and coverage in over 170 destinations, so you can even cross into Canada, Mexico, or travel through America with the same plan. And if you choose the annual subscription, the price drops to $50.50 (€45.60) per month (a 22% discount). All of this with a single eSIM that installs in minutes.

If your stay in San Francisco is shorter, an eSIM for the USA is the perfect solution for having unlimited data during your trip. All you need to do is select the number of days you’ll need, make the payment, and scan the QR code that will arrive in your email. It’s that simple.

Important: If you are a frequent traveler and want to stay connected without worrying about expensive roaming or looking for a new SIM at every destination, Holafly’s subscription plans are for you. With a single eSIM, enjoy internet in more than 170 countries for a fixed price and no surprises on your bill. Travel without limits and connect easily and securely! 🚀🌍

What is the Best Coliving in San Francisco?

As we’ve seen, San Francisco’s variety of coliving spaces caters to different lifestyles, budgets, and ways of working. There isn’t one better than another, but there is one that suits what you’re looking for.

If you’re interested in combining comfort, privacy, and an international professional community, Outsite spaces (in Mission District or Pacific Heights) are ideal. Both offer flexible stays, private rooms, common areas for working, and a global network that you can take advantage of even after leaving the city.

For those who prioritise budget but don’t want to miss out on the shared experience, Hive Coliving is an excellent option: Affordable prices, services included, frequent events, and a diverse community eager to network. The same applies to Urbanest, a more minimalist but functional model, ideal if you work in tech or need a quick and affordable solution to settle in hassle-free.

And if your priority isn’t comfort, but total focus on your project, Mission Control offers a completely different experience. A hacker house where you live to create, share, and build. It’s not for everyone, but if that’s your rhythm, it could change your life.

Each of these options has something different to offer. What’s important is that, no matter where you stay, choose a space that helps you grow, connect, and enjoy your time in one of the most challenging and stimulating cities in the world.

Frequently Asked Questions About Coliving in San Francisco

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