Is cohousing right for you?
Our goal is to be a multi-generational community, where people at all stages of life can live together to support one another and enjoy each other’s company.
Great for families
Cohousing offers many solutions to the problems that young families face, with so many demands on their time and resources. Parents can rely on neighbours for child care, especially in an emergency. There’s often someone who can pick up or lend groceries you forgot to buy, rather than getting the kids all ready and going back to the store. And buying into a cohousing community can be more affordable in the long run than a standard single-family house or condominium.
Seniors stay connected
Seniors also benefit, with so many people available to help out. There’s always someone to assist with tasks that may be getting harder to manage, or to look in on you when you’re ill. Seniors also stay engaged and socially active, which is essential to staving off isolation and loneliness.
Lower living costs
There are financial advantages to cohousing too, regardless of age or stage. Operating costs can be shared, as can the cost of purchases of items such as lawn mowers, tools, or exercise equipment. Most cohousing communities build upon environmentally sound principles, which can realize additional savings in utilities and upkeep.
Protection against loneliness
Perhaps the best part of cohousing is the strong sense of community that it fosters. There’s always someone there to have a chat over coffee, or to go shopping with, or to see a movie. People look out for each other, and learn much about each other and about themselves. Living in cohousing is socially and emotionally engaging, and will truly expands your horizons.
A safe space for introverts
Contrary to many people’s expectations, a cohousing community is often a very comfortable place for introverts. This is because there’s such an emphasis on respect for privacy. In fact, many communities have a code that residents can use to warn others to leave them in peace - such as a kitchen blind that’s unopened, or a closed front door. Introverts are often drawn to Cohousing because they can easily find friends when they’re looking for company, and solitude when they’re all peopled out.
Key features of cohousing
The fundamental idea binding every cohousing community is the belief that a good life is achieved by supporting and sustaining each other. All cohousing communities share these elements:
Participatory Process – Each member of the cohousing group participates in the project’s development to ensure that it meets their needs, usually with the assistance of a developer or professional facilitator.
Neighbourhood Design – The layout of the site and the orientation of its buildings are designed with community in mind. Shared open spaces and a centrally located common house invites residents to drop in and interact with their neighbours. Everything is designed to foster a sense of community.
Common Facilities – Common facilities are designed for daily use. The common house has a dining area with a kitchen, dining room, and sitting area, with additional features such as a workshop, exercise room, crafts room, or guest rooms for visitors.
Resident Management – Cohousing communities are managed by their residents, who take care of maintenance, prepare weekly common meals, and meet regularly to manage the community’s affairs. No one person or group has overriding authority, and decisions are reached by consent.