Daily Life at Horizonte Coliving Santa Tereza: Lifestyle, Connection, Coffee, and Culture

Horizonte Coliving
2 days ago
4 min read

This post explores the day-to-day rhythm at Horizonte Coliving in Santa Tereza, Belo Horizonte. It looks at how the house functions in practice, how coffee weaves through our routine, how the backyard becomes a meeting point, and how the neighborhood naturally flows into the lives of those living here. This isn’t a snapshot or a formal guide; it is a portrait of daily life in a coliving community built over time by the people and relationships flourishing both inside and outside the house.

A House in Dialogue with its Surroundings

The Santa Tereza unit of Horizonte Coliving is, above all, an outward-facing home. Not in the sense of losing intimacy, but in understanding that living here means being in constant dialogue with the surroundings.

In practice, it operates as two houses. One is the coliving space itself, where people live, work, rest, and build their routines. In the backyard, this life expands. There is a lush, wooded area with a pergola covered in guaco vines, offering generous shade and a table that usually gathers the residents. This is a space reserved for those who live here, where conversations start and, quite often, linger on.

Further ahead, the backyard opens up to another layer of the house: the coffee shop.

Quintal do Barista at Horizonte Coliving Santa Tereza | Image: Ian Coliman

The Backyard Café and a Living History

This is the birthplace of Quintal do Barista (@quintaldobarista), created by Cris, a former resident of our Mangabeiras unit. Cris is the creator of the house’s most cherished ritual: residents ring a bell whenever a fresh pot of coffee is brewed. His presence in Santa Tereza connects the two houses and brings an essential Minas Gerais tradition to daily life: coffee as the center of conversation.

For those living at Horizonte Santa Tereza, the day typically begins at these tables. With a 15% discount for residents, heading down for a coffee becomes a natural part of the morning. Whether at the large shared table inside the café, facing the mural by Primo, or at the smaller tables scattered throughout the garden, the space functions as an open-air office where one can work or chat in peace.

The environment also carries a history that predates the coliving. A grapevine, brought from Italy by the family who built the house, still covers part of the yard. This family lived here for decades and, for some years, ran an Italian restaurant to host friends. In a way, we are simply keeping that vocation alive. The Italian-inspired menu and the layout of the tables continue the logic of a place designed to bring people together and honor tradition.

Cris, The Barista | Image: Ian Coliman

The House of Two Rhythms

The operation of the coffee shop sets the rhythm of the days. From Wednesday to Friday (9:30 AM to 5:30 PM), the vibe is strictly "workweek": people with laptops, informal meetings, and a steady, quiet flow. It is a period where the house favors productivity and focus.

On the weekend, the energy shifts. On Saturdays and Sundays (9:00 AM to 3:00 PM), brunch takes center stage, and the house opens up further. This is when friends from the outside drop by, residents from both coliving units connect, and music fills the air.

We also frequently host live performances, almost always by artists who are already part of our community, whether residents or friends, who bring their art and transform a quiet Wednesday evening or a Saturday morning into a cultural gathering.

The House of Two Rhythms | Image: Ian Coliman

Culture Woven into the Routine

Over time, this movement has naturally turned Horizonte Santa Tereza into a cultural hub. The walls aren't just decoration; they carry the identity of those who have passed through, such as the murals by artists Primo and Vi Moura. What is most interesting is that the house is never "finished": there is still plenty of open space, walls waiting to be occupied by new creators. These works on our walls help define the very identity of Horizonte Coliving.

The physical structure also houses those who produce culture. Inside, you will find Varal (Ian and Mia’s photography studio) and Hugo’s tattoo studio. The idea is for the house to be a support system for those wanting to bring projects to life. The space exists and is open to be shaped by whoever arrives.

Murals at Horizonte Coliving Santa Tereza: Vi Moura and Primo | Image: Ian Coliman

Coliving: Community Without Sacrificing Privacy

Living in a coliving space means feeling at home. The physical separation of spaces is what ensures balance: the vibrant cultural life of the café and studios does not invade the private areas. The bedrooms, resting areas, and the quiet of the internal coworking space are preserved. The residents' kitchen remains a domestic, private space. But the door is always there.

To live at Horizonte Santa Tereza is to have the option of experiencing the neighborhood intensely. The location allows you to walk to traditional bars, join Carnival blocos, or simply soak up the atmosphere of the place where the legendary Clube da Esquina musical movement made history. Belo Horizonte’s bohemian life is right outside, and coffee and art are in your backyard. You choose when to participate and when you prefer to just be home.

Daily life here is made of small scenes: a coffee that turns into a long talk, an afternoon working in the yard, a BBQ among residents, a show on a Saturday, the grape harvest. It’s not about grand events, but about living well.

If you want to experience this lifestyle firsthand, you can book a video call or, if you are in Belo Horizonte, schedule a visit. Sometimes, sitting in the backyard with a coffee, watching the house in action, says more than any explanation could.