"The atmosphere in our residence is very friendly. Each resident brings his or her own personal touch, creating a warm and complementary atmosphere."

Who are you?

My name is Maéva, I’m 24 years old, and I arrived in Brussels in January 2024 to work as a Volunteer for International Experience. I discovered Sharies at that time and have been living in the Brussels Fort residence since then.

How’s your experiment going so far?

My stay at the Brussels Fort house is going well. In our residence, which currently has 10 residents, we enjoy getting together in the evenings to share a dinner and talk about our day. On weekends, we sometimes go out together to enjoy some social time.

What stands out is that Sharies organizes a monthly event that brings together the residents of our house or different houses in Brussels, promoting interactions among us.

@ Jules Toulet - Brussels Fort living room

Are there any key residents in your community life?

Each resident contributes to the community dynamic in their own way within our house. Some are more active in organizing events and parties, while others participate more in daily tasks like cleaning or respecting the house rules. For example, when I arrived, I organized a movie night to bond with my housemates.

What activities do you prefer to do?

We particularly enjoy sharing meals together. The kitchen is often the gathering point where we spend time together and chat.

The atmosphere in our residence is very friendly. Each resident adds their personal touch, creating a warm and complementary environment.

What are the main advantages of living in a coliving space compared to traditional housing?

For me, the main advantage of coliving with Sharies has been the ease of settling into Brussels. The turnkey housing, with private bedrooms and bathrooms, as well as accessible common areas, made it easier to meet people and enjoy social moments. Additionally, the all-inclusive rent simplified financial management. However, it can sometimes be challenging to maintain harmony with people who have different lifestyles.

Do you have an anecdote with your housemates that you would like to share?

The raclette night organized by our Sharies Residence Manager, Guillemette, is a memorable moment for me. With housemates from different cultures and dietary habits, we had an amusing culture shock on how to eat raclette. The French knew the concept, but other housemates got creative by grilling vegetables or replacing potatoes with chips.