Get an exclusive look into life at the Hive through the eyes of our vibrant residents! Meet Rachel and Piyush, one of our amazing Hive couples, as they share their unique experiences and insights on coliving. Let them guide you through the adventure of shared living at one of our Hive Homes.
Hi Rachel and Piyush! Tell us a bit about yourselves.
My name is Piyush Chaudhary, and I hail from the serene valley of Dehradun, India, where the majestic Himalayas cradle my hometown and the sacred Ganges flows nearby. With a degree in Electronics and Communication Engineering, followed by an MBA in Finance, I’ve always been driven by curiosity and a passion for solving complex challenges. My journey has led me through diverse experiences—working as a policy consultant with the governments of India and Israel, which broadened my global perspective.
A year ago, I successfully sold a startup I founded that blended my love for travel and language learning, which was a deeply enriching chapter of my life. Currently, I work as an Operations Officer for the Ministry of Justice in the UK, where I apply my skills to help streamline processes within the justice system. My career has been a tapestry of innovation, diplomacy, and leadership, and I’m excited for what comes next.
What made you choose coliving as your housing and lifestyle choice as a couple?
Rachel and I have always had a shared passion for exploring new places, meeting diverse people, and immersing ourselves in different cultures. Having lived in various parts of the UK, including cities like Edinburgh and London, we’ve been fortunate to experience the vibrant energy and cultural diversity that these cities offer. Our time living in the co-living space called “The Collective” in London really resonated with us and opened our eyes to the benefits of this lifestyle.
The idea of coliving appealed to us for a number of reasons. First, we love the sense of community that it fosters. Unlike traditional housing, where interactions with neighbours can be minimal, coliving offers an environment where social engagement is encouraged. We enjoy meeting new people, hearing their stories, and connecting with others from different geographical backgrounds. The variety of cultures and perspectives that we encounter in coliving environments is something that excites us and continues to inspire us.
Coliving also aligns with our values of collaboration and shared experiences. As a couple, we both thrive on learning from others, whether through casual conversations or organised events. The flexibility and fluidity of coliving spaces allow us to embrace these encounters without the constraints of typical housing arrangements. Moreover, coliving gives us a chance to form meaningful connections with others, while also offering the privacy and comfort we need as a couple.
For us, coliving represents a lifestyle that combines community, adventure, and cultural diversity—qualities we’ve both always sought. It allows us to continuously evolve our experiences, meet new people, and feel a sense of belonging, no matter where we are. That’s why Rachel and I have chosen coliving as our housing and lifestyle choice—it brings the world to our doorstep.
You’ve experienced coliving at The Collective in London. How does living at B-Hive compare?
Living at The Collective in London was an amazing experience for Rachel and me, especially since we stayed there for over a year. It felt vibrant and energetic, almost like living in a high-end hotel with a revolving door of guests. The amenities were top-notch, and the environment was lively, but after a while, we realised that we needed something more grounded—a place that truly felt like home. That’s when we discovered B-Hive, and our experience there opened our eyes to how coliving could be on a completely different level.
While The Collective provided more of a “hotel-like” vibe, often hosting short-term guests who were there for just a day or two, B-Hive offered a deeper, more authentic sense of community. At B-Hive, the focus was on building lasting relationships, something we really needed being away from home. It felt like a warm, welcoming space where people actually invested in getting to know one another. The property owners and managers at B-Hive played a big role in creating this environment. Unlike The Collective, where we never met the owner, the owners at B-Hive took the time to organise community dinners and barbecues, making everyone feel truly connected.
The shift from The Collective to B-Hive made us appreciate how the personal touches and genuine community involvement can turn a place from just a living space into a home.
Did you have any reservations before moving into Hive?
Before moving into Hive, I did have some reservations. I was particularly concerned about privacy, potential noise and disturbances, compatibility with housemates, and shared responsibilities.
Privacy was a key concern, as living in a shared space can sometimes feel intrusive. Noise and disturbances were also on my mind since shared living spaces can often come with unpredictable noise levels. I was also unsure how well I would get along with the housemates and whether shared responsibilities like cleaning and maintenance would be handled fairly.
However, Anton, the property manager, did a great job addressing these concerns. He assured us that the layout of the space was designed to offer privacy, with soundproofing in place to minimise noise. He also emphasised a system for selecting compatible housemates and outlined a clear structure for sharing responsibilities, making us feel that everything would be well-managed.
Once those concerns were addressed, it was a relief, and we felt much more confident about moving in!
What has your journey been like finding places to live as a couple?
Finding a couple-friendly accommodation has been quite a journey for us, marked by various challenges. One of the biggest hurdles has been finding spaces that cater to the specific needs of couples, such as privacy, comfort, and affordability. Many places either cater to individuals or larger families, leaving couples in a sort of middle ground where the available options either don’t fit their needs or come at an exorbitant cost.
When we were searching for a place, we found that many properties lacked the right balance of space and practicality. Some were simply too small or poorly designed for two people to live comfortably together. Others were out of our price range, even though they offered the amenities we were looking for. It often felt like the market wasn’t built with couples in mind, which added to the frustration of the search.
B-Hive, however, was a real blessing for us. It felt like the perfect place designed specifically for couples like us. Not only did it meet our needs in terms of space and comfort, but it was also economically well-suited, which is hard to come by in today’s housing market.
Speaking of the housing market for couples, it feels like it’s increasingly difficult to find something that strikes the right balance between affordability and quality. The options for couples in the UK, in particular, seem quite limited. Many properties are either designed for single occupants or larger families, leaving couples with fewer suitable choices. B-Hive stands out as an exception in this regard—it’s a space where couples can feel at home without having to compromise on their needs or break the bank.
In summary, while the overall housing market for couples feels bleak, with a lot of obstacles and limited options, places like B-Hive Living give us hope that there are still options out there that truly cater to the unique needs of couples.
