A Study on House Sharing in China′s Young Generation—Based on a Questionnaire Survey and Case Studies in Beijing

Abstract

Currently, house sharing is a popular residential choice of the young generation in China. This is due to the declining affordability of home ownership as well as delayed marriage and childbearing. This study targets young working people in Beijing. It employs a questionnaire survey and case study to examine the house-sharing conditions of the young generation in China, including the relation among house-sharing behaviors, their living habits and space requirements, and their attitudes on the sharing of living space and the residential environment. First, it was found that economic considerations are the most important motivation for the young generation to share housing, and residents are mostly unrelated singles. Second, simplified living habits and space needs with multiple requirements concerning space function are the main reasons for the popularity of house sharing among the group. Next, the group has adequate tolerance for sharing and interference with roommates following the coordination of living habits. Finally, compared with other living arrangements, house sharing generates a lower level of residential satisfaction, but the basic needs of the young generation from their residences are met, making house sharing a relatively stable residential choice.