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Intergenerational cohousing article. It's a good one.
http://www.nytimes.com/2013/03/13/business/retirementspecial/retirees-choose-intergenerational-cohousing.html?_r=0
rodeosweetheart
3-13-13, 5:20am
Thanks, Redfox, that was interesting. I found myself thinking, hm, I could deal with Ecovillage, then I thought of the upstate NY weather-- lived there 10 years--and taxes and Arizona looked better. I'm not sure I could do the whole communal aspect with respect to all the rules that must be involved--I like having ability to have a few chickens and hang out my laundry, without the neighbors having a say. I thought it was going to be about multi-generational families living together and thought that was the first picture--would like to do multi-generational housing with my parents, but they do not want anyone moving in with them and sharing space, even though it would make sense from practical standpoint.
Cohousing is an interesting idea but while I could live in an apartment or condo, the issues of integrating a life into a cohousing situation is problematic. I have studied it for over a decade and decided that the issues of integrating our lives into others and the consensus method of decision making would be difficult for us. Perhaps it is not having kids, having our own life for so many years and making our own decisions, and already living in a low cost area.
Cohousing is an expensive method of providing housing per square foot. (regardless of the common house)
The article was well balanced though.
While looking for worthy housing SW of Portland recently, I came across a co-housing condo. The community garden would be right out my back door. It's an interesting concept to think about, but until I'm completely helpless, I'd prefer to live without a bunch of kibitzers all up in my business.
ApatheticNoMore
3-13-13, 2:06pm
I'd love cohousing it would be perfect for me. It doesn't mean there is much to be found or that what there is is affordable of course (it's not).
The easiest way to co-house is to find a like-minded couple or family and rent a large home together. It's quite common here, actually -- a lot of young families do it because it's expensive to live here.
DH and I have been looking for cohousing for about 18 years, but we've never lived in a place where it was possible until moving to Boise (red state; reddish-purple city). Even tho McCamant and Durrett (the gurus) are "involved" and would like to see it go here, the group has lost a bit of steam lately -- prices going up, the economy, people dropping out, etc. There's still interest here, and there's still hope ...
A pocket neighborhood might be a possibility ...
Cohousing is an interesting idea but while I could live in an apartment or condo, the issues of integrating a life into a cohousing situation is problematic. I have studied it for over a decade and decided that the issues of integrating our lives into others and the consensus method of decision making would be difficult for us. Perhaps it is not having kids, having our own life for so many years and making our own decisions, and already living in a low cost area.
Cohousing is an expensive method of providing housing per square foot. (regardless of the common house)
The article was well balanced though.
Agreed, I just can't see myself there. I want a tiny cottage with land and no consensus living, thank you. ugh. I have a hard enough time in our neighborhood where we have so many joint decisions to make.
Cohousing doesn't have to involve consensus living, either. Honestly, it does require diplomacy and working together to form solutions, but absolute consensus isn't necessarily part of the process.
In our case, because we can command a larger lease, we would be the primary lease holders. Thus, anyone joining us would have to be a good fit and also have to work with us and the way that we live. We would be sub-letting, and of course the landlord would have to give permission for this -- but it's usually no problem.
As such, we came up with a basic process for how things would be managed around the home to keep things peaceful, and how to create quiet time and space for each family. I think it could be quiet effective.
But, it certianly does require some intentionality.
I like the concept and a couple of years ago looked into the established co-housing communities near-by. At least the ones I looked at were slightly ticky-tacky 2 story houses or townhouses tightly packed together with an open common area. I like the concepts of a community garden and some community meals and a greater sense of a sharing community. But I also like my private space and as I look further into old age I don't want stairs. As I remember things, most seemed to offer options for various levels of community participation.
If there was a mix of housing style and some single story cottages or ranch style houses surrounded by a reasonable buffer of environmentally correct landscaping with some personal space for puttering around , I would take a second look.
awakenedsoul
3-16-13, 11:03pm
Agreed, I just can't see myself there. I want a tiny cottage with land and no consensus living, thank you. ugh. I have a hard enough time in our neighborhood where we have so many joint decisions to make.
That's what I have. The older I get, the more I appreciate it. I just spent two nights in a bed and breakfast, and when I walked in the door I thought, "This little house is so pretty. I still like it better than all the others I've seen and all the B&B's where I've stayed."
I chuckled at the part in the article that mentioned dogs off leash and noisy kids. We have that here, too. I had to put up a padlocked gate to keep people out!
I really love the idea of co-housing but wouldn't do it myself even though, on the surface, I would seem like an ideal candidate for it (divorced childless female with no family). However, Spartana does not play well with others :devil: and the required interaction - even if minimal - would be too much for me. I would much prefer a condo complex or small house where I was friendly with my neighbors but not involved with them - unless by choice (and I usually like to keep some distance). But I think they are wonderful places and ways to live.
I really love the idea of co-housing but wouldn't do it myself even though, on the surface, I would seem like an ideal candidate for it (divorced childless female with no family). However, Spartana does not play well with others :devil: and the required interaction - even if minimal - would be too much for me. I would much prefer a condo complex or small house where I was friendly with my neighbors but not involved with them - unless by choice (and I usually like to keep some distance). But I think they are wonderful places and ways to live.
I'm thinking a trailer on top of a mountain might suit me...I don't play well with others either.
Really, I don't want to live right on top of people--especially not people who are telling me what color I can paint my house or whether or not I can plant petunias, but I like the idea of being able to leave the housing unit alone and go off without worrying about it. I've been contemplating (again) how nice it would/will be to downsize to a place without draining property taxes so I could spend and save more on something else. Maybe a soundproof row house with a little yard and absentee neighbors...I have an idea of just how my Right Place should be, which makes finding it problematic.
DH and I have been looking for cohousing for about 18 years, but we've never lived in a place where it was possible until moving to Boise (red state; reddish-purple city). Even tho McCamant and Durrett (the gurus) are "involved" and would like to see it go here, the group has lost a bit of steam lately -- prices going up, the economy, people dropping out, etc. There's still interest here, and there's still hope ...
A pocket neighborhood might be a possibility ...
Hi Kestral,
Here is a resource for you: www.cohousing.org
Thanks, redfox ... hope springs eternal (still) but not sure anything will come of this. Our group has been meeting and planning and plotting for about three or four years now, property picked out but not purchased (the owner of the property wants to be the developer and a member of the community, but it's a prime piece of land and it's growing in value and he needs to sell), architects involved, friendships formed, etc. etc. But not enough people to make it financially feasible. If it happens, fine, but if not ... fine also.
ApatheticNoMore
3-20-13, 10:58pm
I'd like to say "don't play well with others" but no, it's really not that at all, I often compromise just fine when it's actually consensus that is being reached. It's more just "need some alone time". That's why I think cohousing would be great in a way I never think "roommates ... those would be great".
Thanks, redfox ... hope springs eternal (still) but not sure anything will come of this. Our group has been meeting and planning and plotting for about three or four years now, property picked out but not purchased (the owner of the property wants to be the developer and a member of the community, but it's a prime piece of land and it's growing in value and he needs to sell), architects involved, friendships formed, etc. etc. But not enough people to make it financially feasible. If it happens, fine, but if not ... fine also.
I hear this a lot from those in forming communities.
I think there are some cohousings I'd like and do well in, but the one I know from my friend who lives in one is a hassle for at least many of the inhabitants. Some of them no longer speak to each other. The biggest problems seem to stem from those who have more money want to do things that will benefit all but that those with less money can't afford to contribute to--like solar modules for their common house and also for plugging electric cars in to which only one or two can afford or care about.
I'm thinking a trailer on top of a mountain might suit me...I don't play well with others either.
Really, I don't want to live right on top of people--especially not people who are telling me what color I can paint my house or whether or not I can plant petunias, but I like the idea of being able to leave the housing unit alone and go off without worrying about it. I've been contemplating (again) how nice it would/will be to downsize to a place without draining property taxes so I could spend and save more on something else. Maybe a soundproof row house with a little yard and absentee neighbors...I have an idea of just how my Right Place should be, which makes finding it problematic.
Yeah I'm alway contemplating (again too!) exactly what housing choice would be perfect for me too. I don't like the work and expenses involved with homeownership but am not really keen on condo living because of the many problems associated with condo boards and HOA. Ideally a tiny rental apt would suit me best as I don't really mind lots of people around me - as long as I don't have to interact with them for "housing or social business" like in a co-housing place or even a condo complex. Just pay my monthly rent and not worry about anything else at all. Lock up to travel or just move elsewhere when I want. After my sister and I sell the new place (will keep it for 2 years) then I am seriously leaning towards renting for awhile and maybe someday just getting a tiny condo once I am more settled. Not a great solution but I really can't think of what would be.
I think there are some cohousings I'd like and do well in, but the one I know from my friend who lives in one is a hassle for at least many of the inhabitants. Some of them no longer speak to each other. The biggest problems seem to stem from those who have more money want to do things that will benefit all but that those with less money can't afford to contribute to--like solar modules for their common house and also for plugging electric cars in to which only one or two can afford or care about.
From what I understand that's also a common problem in condo and coop apartment buildings as well. Generally the older people, living on social security and fixed pensions and whatnot don't want the association to spend big bucks upgrading the common spaces like the lobby, exercise room, etc, and the younger people who are looking to improve the building, and thus their potential resale value, push for the association to spend money on these types of improvements with the cost spread amongst all residents, willing or not.
iris lilies
3-21-13, 10:43pm
From what I understand that's also a common problem in condo and coop apartment buildings as well. Generally the older people, living on social security and fixed pensions and whatnot don't want the association to spend big bucks upgrading the common spaces like the lobby, exercise room, etc, and the younger people who are looking to improve the building, and thus their potential resale value, push for the association to spend money on these types of improvements with the cost spread amongst all residents, willing or not.
Exactly. I was going to post exactly the same thing, it's what I've seen with condo owners.
Why this is attractive to anyone is beyond me. Group-live is just as attractive as group-think. Not very.
Exactly. I was going to post exactly the same thing, it's what I've seen with condo owners.
Why this is attractive to anyone is beyond me. Group-live is just as attractive as group-think. Not very.Well it is a trade-off for those of us who want to own an apt-type of housing rather than owning a single family or traditional type home on it's own lot. Deal with the obnoxious condo boards and HOAs or own a place where you have to take care of everything yourself? So for some it's probably the lesser of 2 evils. I still would just like to rent forever but when I think back of what rents were 30 or 40 years ago compared to today - and then fast forward that 30 or 40 years into the future.. YIKES!! A condo might not be such a bad thing after all!! It'll it least save me 30 or 40 years of mowing the lawn, et al... if i owned a house :-)!
As a current home owner I can tell you that I am already mighty sick of all the endless house-related chores and expenses I have to do constantly. I'd be jumping off the nearest bridge if I knew I'd be still doing that stuff for the rest of my life.
We have always had a house but plan on moving to a condo in about 10 years. We also don't want to have to deal with the issues of outdoor maintenance and there are some very well run condos here. I don't care about fancy but I sure will be checking the documents and reserves and minutes of meetings.
I've been to about a dozen cohousing communities, in the course of my work these last two years, and have looked on three seperate occasions to consider buying in over the last decade. Here's what I've observed:
The communities are gorgeous. My favorite is in Golden, CO., Harmony Village. I also love Songaia, in Bothell, WA. And Swan's Market, in Oakland. All very different from each other. The architecture in both Golden & Oakland is very compelling to me; the community itself in Bothell is what I love there.
Those drawn to cohousing are looking for a balance of privacy & community. Introverts that I have spoken with actually like cohousing, as they have all the social engagement they want just outside their door, and can retreat quickly back into their homes when they are done.
Governance is the biggest challenge, and the skills needed to self-manage a condo association/HOA can be tricky. Consensus has been the tradition, and there's a new model called Sociocracy that is gaining favor. I don't know the details of this model.
The other biggest challenge from my perspective is price. Cohousing is expensive, because they are most often custom designed & built neighborhoods, with a huge amenity in the Common House. Even retrofit communities can be pricey depending upon what kind of building or homes they are retrofitting. Swan's Market is an incredible, urban retrofit of a formerly derelict downtown building, and the units are extremely pricey - $700,000 range. But it is gorgeous.
Those that I have spoken with when I've stayed in a community have all articulated the same themes... Having shared meals a few times a week makes for a stronger community, having neighbors right there that they can rely on to help with child care, car sharing, etc. is wonderful. One can rotate in & out of levels of involvement in community affairs.
The new wave in cohousing are senior communities. I've heard mixed things about this... As one resident in Sand River, a senior community in Santa Fe said, 'we all moved in & then when it snowed, it still needed to be shoveled!' She misses being in an intergenerational community, and they have found that they need to hire grounds help.
I would love to eventually live in a cohousing community. I hope we can find one we can afford, that is the right blend of people, gardens, great meals & location!
The easiest way to co-house is to find a like-minded couple or family and rent a large home together. It's quite common here, actually -- a lot of young families do it because it's expensive to live here.
A friend of mine, who lives adjacent to Songaia Cohousing, calls this Cohouseholding! He's forming an organization to promote this. He's looking for input... Find some info here... http://www.ozragland.com/shared-households.html
the Cohouseholding website is still under development.
It's interesting because I always considered co=housing to be living in the same house, whereas communal living to be the version where you have your own house in a community. Of course, the concept of "commune" gets confused for people, so they'd often call it "villages" and stuff, with the rise of the "eco-village" and then also "intentional communities" but that smacks of religion. Anyway, I suppose it's always just finding a way around.
I think that co-housholding is a good concept-word. I think the hardest thing is finding the right people with whom to live -- and making sure that there is very clear communication between the parties. I would even recommend getting group training in how to adequately dialogue, negotiation technique, and possibly even group supervision/process work -- which could allow people to work through things before they crop up right in front of you.
But, that's just perfect world stuff, I guess.
Here is a sample of recent cohousing homes available, just to give you a idea of what one community is like:
http://www.milagrocohousing.org/homesforsale.htm
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