Just as a home is more than its walls and windows, cohousing
homes are more than standard condos. To the people who create, join and live
cohousing communities, they join an active and involved community of neighbors
who know and care about each other and together live more consciously of one
another and the earth. Cohousing has grown over the past 25 years to over 160
communities nationwide and the communities range from urban, suburban, or
rural; new construction or repurposed; senior-specific or intergenerational.
Successful communities generally share 5 key characteristics that may tempt you
to consider a cohousing community for your next move.
1. FOCUS ON SUSTAINABILTY
A core value of cohousing is environmental sustainability.
This is reflected in preserved open space, in utilizing green building
materials and techniques, minimizing the intrusion of cars, and the prevalence
of community renewable energy systems. The sense of community created in these
neighborhoods is the secret ingredient of sustainability, enabling people to
have a collective impact, being good stewards together with their neighbors.
Such a lively neighborhood means residents can socialize close to home, and
parents can reduce the endless back-and-forth of shuttling their kids to
playdates.
2. FACES NOT FENCES
3) OWNER-DEVELOPERS
Cohousing communities are recognized by certain design
features, layered over a strong social fabric. A big benefit of cohousing stems
from the sharing culture bolstered by generous common amenities. Cohousing
features a common house (the heart of the community, with a large kitchen,
dining area, guest rooms and more), and perhaps a shared garden, workshop, yoga
room, pool or kids room. Communities are generally 20-40 homes, designed and
self-managed by residents. The result is people-focused, with cars kept on the
periphery and buildings grouped to leave green space for all to enjoy.
Financing is undertaken by the future residents, who act as
"owner-developers" and provide the capital to fund the design costs
and property purchase. Yet there’s nothing to fear when it comes to acquiring
loans; in fact, Fannie Mae has language in its FAQ’s specifying that cohousing
homes qualify for loans just as any other condominium development would. The
project is built by means of a bank construction loan, paid off as individual
residents obtain mortgages. Since residents buy-in to their neighborhood early
on, turnover tends to be low.
4) TRUE NEIGHBORLINESS
Ever been ready to bake a cake and realized you're one stick
of butter short, meaning a 20-minute drive to the store? In cohousing, your
neighbor will probably have both butter and some baking advice. Cohousing is
carefully designed to create a socially rich and interconnected community, a
true "neighborhood" in the old-fashioned sense of the word. However,
residents do not have a shared economy or a common set of beliefs. Individual
homes have all the traditional amenities including private kitchens, yet most
communities are proud to offer resident-cooked dinner rotations in the common
house several times a week.
5) SAFE AND SECURE
"Eyes on the Street" are the best security system
you can have. Living in a community where everyone is a familiar face provides
an extra layer of safety. Children can run freely and knock on their playmates’
doors, gaining a unique level of independence and trust with neighbors. Even in
large cities, cohousing experiences little crime and offers safe and supportive
living."
article in Good Trade, by Mary Claus from Fair Oaks EcoHousing,
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