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Takoma Village, a cohousing community in Washington, D.C., not far from (the columnist's) neighborhood, might be the solution. Among its features: condos clustered around a central courtyard, a common house where residents can socialize and share meals, and a system whereby residents run and maintain the property themselves. Cohousing communities aren't communes. Residents own their own condos, for which they pay prices on par with local real estate values. Nor does cohousing require nonstop togetherness. "The site design is such that you can retire to the privacy of your own home," says Rebecca Lane, executive director of the Cohousing Association of the United States (The Cohousing Association of the United States). Although eating together isn't required, "shared meals are the heartbeat of cohousing," she says. As with most cohousing communities, Takoma Village is open to residents of all ages, a plus for older people who don't want to live exclusively with other older people. But not everyone is keen on sharing meals with 2-year-olds or sidewalk space with teenagers. Architects (and spouses) Charles Durrett and Kathryn McCamant, who introduced cohousing to the U.S. in 1988, have developed six senior communities (current residents are ages 51 and up), and about six more are in the works from other developers."
"Cohousing communities are usually designed as attached or single-family homes along one or more pedestrian streets or clustered around a courtyard. They range in size from 7 to 67 residences, the majority of them housing 20 to 40 households. Regardless of the size of the community, there are many opportunities for casual meetings between neighbors, as well as for deliberate gatherings such as celebrations, clubs and business meetings."
From your link. "The need for community members to take care of common property builds a sense of working together, trust and support. Because neighbors hold a commitment to a relationship with one another, almost all cohousing communities use consensus as the basis for group decision-making."
That's different how, from any other condo association with common grounds and clubhouse and other shared amenities?
It's an idealistic/optimistic and hopeful idea that diverse people are going to be cooperative and agreeable when decisions have to be made.
The center courtyard set up does look nice and seems as if it would be more condusive to socializing than side by side housing.
Location: We_tside PNW (Columbia Gorge) / CO / SA TX / Thailand
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Originally Posted by Bette
Personally, I like this idea.
Here is Senior co-housing that 'transformed' from Multi-generation to Senior (built across the street), Some of the seniors were getting tired of dogs eating at the table and kids throwing food around in the multi-generational place. Some seniors loved it, so they stayed intergenerational.
Warning: Boulder is not cheap, nor is most co-housing, BUT there are ways around this (don't use a developer that needs a 40% profit for the 'risk') - A Valid risk! Cohousing Development in North Boulder, Colorado - Silver Sage Village.
Tuscon has a nice co-housing place that seemed affordable. Also West Seattle has a nice 'village' of co-housing homes. As well as many other areas of the world. (and USA) Not a FIT for everyone.
Before you get ready to 'sign-on', search for some blogs "Beyond Co-housing / Co-housing Survivor".
The RockTilYouDrop Community concept (RTYD.org) is strongly suggesting this type of community as it fosters deeper relationships as well as fellowship within a community. As we grow older, friendships at any level becomes increasingly more important as lonliness can lead to depression hastening a decline in one's health.
Our concept for retirement may not capture your imagination but you may have a friend or 2 who will see the beauty in this type of retirement village. (Note: please pardon our dust as the website while informative, is still under construction.)
I saw a documentary on communes in the 60's which most who lived it said the end it turned out to be a few workers and a lot of loafers that caused many problem that caused the end to many fairly quickly. I would suspect it would be harder with older people set in their ways. Conflict would be worse than apartments I would think and we see those written about all the time.
Takoma Village, a cohousing community in Washington, D.C., not far from (the columnist's) neighborhood, might be the solution. Among its features: condos clustered around a central courtyard, a common house where residents can socialize and share meals, and a system whereby residents run and maintain the property themselves. Cohousing communities aren't communes. Residents own their own condos, for which they pay prices on par with local real estate values. Nor does cohousing require nonstop togetherness. "The site design is such that you can retire to the privacy of your own home," says Rebecca Lane, executive director of the Cohousing Association of the United States (The Cohousing Association of the United States). Although eating together isn't required, "shared meals are the heartbeat of cohousing," she says. As with most cohousing communities, Takoma Village is open to residents of all ages, a plus for older people who don't want to live exclusively with other older people. But not everyone is keen on sharing meals with 2-year-olds or sidewalk space with teenagers. Architects (and spouses) Charles Durrett and Kathryn McCamant, who introduced cohousing to the U.S. in 1988, have developed six senior communities (current residents are ages 51 and up), and about six more are in the works from other developers."
"Cohousing communities are usually designed as attached or single-family homes along one or more pedestrian streets or clustered around a courtyard. They range in size from 7 to 67 residences, the majority of them housing 20 to 40 households. Regardless of the size of the community, there are many opportunities for casual meetings between neighbors, as well as for deliberate gatherings such as celebrations, clubs and business meetings."
There is a photo of one with the second link above.
I think it is an interesting concept and I am sure there are successful developments like these....but I often wonder what would happen if there were more inhabitants not able to cook and work around the property than those who were in better shape....
The idea comes from Denmark and it is a good one for "socially inclined" people. I'm not sure how well it works in the US. For older people? The work burden would probably fall on those who are fit. Does that bother you: fair, but unequal?
Our lakeside community here in the Ozarks has a co-housing element top it that has just developed naturally over its 30 year span. Of the about 215 homes here, all detached, custom and and scattered along a number of community owned, wooded streets, many, if not most, are owned by seniors while the rest are owned by younger families with children. Perhaps 20% are used as weekend, summer and holiday homes by their owners but the rest of us are permanent residents.
There is a true sense of community here aided by ample use of our community center and pool. Monthly potlucks, common "tasks" such as shoreline clean-up, area beautification projects, card clubs, morning coffee gatherings, regular and water aerobic classes, regular community meetings, parades, helpful gatherings featuring various area agencies that provide many services, a monthly newsletter, a community telephone notification system and more, and a true sense of neighborliness draws us property owners together and the more robust readily assist the more frail as the needs arise. We co-own 15 parcels which include the center, pool, our wells, a helipad for medical evacuation, a park, a boat launch as well as all the roads. As a community we employ a couple of people for maintenance (there are still unsold lots to be maintained too) and administration for which we pay the ridiculously low, annual fee of $205. In all these regards it is, in essence, very much a co-housing environment without the strict structure and intent.
We just happened into it and are very glad we did. The entire setting is park-like and the neighbors grand.
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Great concept!
