Plusses: Community, fellow-travelers from around the world, and save some money by cooking and sharing meals. This is a really different experience than a standard shared housing - everyone is friendly, and people take a bit of time to share experiences. Very 'hippie' - and genuinely so - the place dates back to a commune started in 1967.
Minuses: If you are a germophobe, might not be the place for you. Its not dirty per se, but spaces that have been shared for over 50 years have a certain flavor.