Five authors contribute narratives of cohabitation among New Yorkers, revealing how shared living arrangements shape relationships and community. From the bonds formed during the pandemic to the intergenerational ties within immigrant families, the stories highlight the lasting impact of these spaces on our identity.
Urban solitude can be defined by the maxim: Alone, together. Even home — often the only place people have to be alone — isn’t exempt. The rate of people taking roommates is rising, especially in expensive cities like New York: lower rent at the expense of privacy. If you’re lucky, you’re among one of the renters who is cohabitating with people you can call your friends. I was lucky to be lucky.