How Together Co-Living Gave Ben the Confidence to Live Independently

Move out for uni without the hassle.

Presented in partnership with Together Co-Living.

If you’ve always had a tough time getting to know new people, you might be dreading heading to uni. However, if you’ve got the right support and encouragement around you, making new friends can be a lot easier.

That’s why Together Co-Living resident Ben spoke to Student Edge over the phone to tell us how Together Co-Living Melbourne helped him make heaps of new mates while living independently.

Relocating from rural Tasmania all the way to the city of Melbourne was a difficult gig for Ben. Having to move away from his friends and family was daunting. Fortunately, he believes Together Co-Living made the transition way easier.

“In terms of moving to Melbourne—especially leaving my old social circle—it was tempting to just get a flat or an apartment by myself out somewhere, but the social aspect was probably a good idea in terms of not feeling so isolated when I first moved,” Ben says.

“It’s quite comforting to have staff on hand to help me get settled in. It made it easier knowing there were people around me so if I needed urgent help, there’s reassurance in knowing that I’m not fully out on my own.”

You’ve probably heard that the best part about moving out of home for uni is the independence. Well, Ben completely agrees! In fact, he is super glad that Together Co-Living gave him the support he needed at an affordable price.

“I have my own space but I’m also in a space that isn’t completely cut off from the outside world,” he says.

“In economical terms, I think it’s a good deal. It gets you an apartment, utilities, and then beyond that is the idea that you can move somewhere that won’t isolate you.”

As an Audio Engineering student at JMC Academy, Ben found that residing at Together Co-Living gave him the opportunity to meet a diverse range of people that he probably wouldn’t have gotten to know if he had stayed at a share house.

“A lot of people are in their mid-20s or mid-30s, and so I definitely wouldn’t have been exposed to that if I was just sharehousing with young people like me, or if I was just out at uni accommodation,” he says.

Ben explains that he often has a hard time getting to know most people and enjoys spending time by himself. Despite this, he's found socialising at Together Co-Living Melbourne very beneficial.

“It’s good just to have the social exposure," he says.

“It helps me not feel isolated when I’m staying up in a studio apartment or heading out to uni most of the time.”

Plus, the advantages of coffee, food and study areas just downstairs can’t go unmentioned. You can check out Together Co-Living's facilities in the virtual tour of their co-living spaces.

There’s also loads of different events you can take part in for free – like trivia nights, stand-up comedy, which is great for meeting new people. You can check out the full Melbourne events calendar on the Together Co-Living website.

“It’s good to have somewhere to come back to but also in terms of accessibility,” he says.

“Pretty much every day I’ll grab a coffee from the restaurant, The Yard, downstairs, which I’d say is a pretty vital part of living as a student.

“Beyond that they’ve got nice little office facilities... they’re definitely used by people getting their work done, writing essays or doing tax returns.”

If you’re dreading moving out of home and want a smooth transition as well as new friends right at your doorstep, why not consider moving into a Together Co-Living apartment?

You can find out more about their student rooms and deals on the Together Co-Living website.

Header Image: Born Social