Alex

When Alex Butler, 43, moved to Houston from Wichita, Kansas two years ago, she was chasing opportunity through work, community, and ultimately, a chance to serve.

Alex is a gig worker, community advocate, and candidate for State Representative in District 146 who believes in transformation. But when she first searched for housing in Houston, she wasn’t looking for something transformational.

She was just looking for something that made sense. She found one of PadSplit new construction homes that are designed for coliving: ArtHaus.

A skeptical introvert tries something new

“I’ll be honest. I was skeptical at first,” Alex says.

When she first came across PadSplit through a Google search, she admits she didn’t fully understand how it worked. “In my head, I imagined a hostel… everyone sharing everything, no privacy. And I’ve had bad experiences like that before.”

As an introvert, the idea of living with up to 10 other people also felt daunting. “I was thinking, am I going to have to talk to everyone every day? Are people just hanging out in the common areas all the time?”

She learned about the vetting process for members, individual locks on bedroom doors, and clear house rules. These clear expectations were very important to her so she could understand the model before moving in.

“That was the selling point for me,” she explains. “All of the expectations are laid out beforehand. There are no unspoken rules like there can be if you live with friends or family.”

A great PadSplit experience while living with 10 strangers

Alex has now been living in her Houston PadSplit home for over a month. The experience has been far less intimidating than she imagined.

“Everybody has their own life,” she says. “They come and go as they please. We’re polite. We talk. But there’s no forced interaction.”

As an introvert, that balance has been ideal. “The possibility of community is there — and I love that. But there’s no pressure.”

She uses the shared kitchen and laundry area, appreciates having her own private bathroom, and values the thoughtful design of the new home. “You can tell the host really put care into creating these spaces.”

All-inclusive affordability that makes it possible

As a gig worker who drives for DoorDash and takes on cleaning jobs while balancing campaign events and organizational work, Alex’s schedule and income can fluctuate.

Traditional apartments, with $1,200+ rents plus separate utility bills, internet, and deposits, simply weren’t realistic.

“The all-inclusive rate sold me,” she says. “There was no way I could pay high rent, electricity, internet, everything separately, and still keep a roof over my head.”

With utilities and internet included, PadSplit allows her to live below her means intentionally. She estimates she saves between $400 to $500 every two weeks compared to other housing options. 

Community, if and when you want it

Despite identifying as an introvert, Alex deeply believes in community.

“That’s actually one of the reasons I loved the idea,” she says. “People from all different backgrounds and lifestyles coming under one roof — there’s potential for growth there.”

She appreciates that PadSplit provides the “ingredients” for community without forcing it. Optional social activities (her host is bringing residents together for pickleball), shared common spaces, and respectful house culture allow connections to form naturally.

“It feels healing in a way,” she says. “Like we don’t always have to be divided. We can just live alongside each other.”

And if someone asks her what to consider before moving into a PadSplit? “Know what type of house you want. Look at the number of people. See if there’s a private bathroom, that’s important. And make sure you’re comfortable with shared living.”

Alex plans to stay in her PadSplit home for at least a year as a stepping stone while she builds momentum professionally and personally. She’s proof that coliving isn’t one-size-fits-all. It works for introverts and extroverts, gig workers and professionals.

And as she continues her campaign, Alex is carrying with her the lived experience of affordable, flexible housing. She’s living the realities that so many working Americans face — and finding solutions, one room at a time.