» Cohousing-What's It All About?

Cohousing-What's It All About?

Homes and lifestyles are changing. The dream of the suburban home with a yard, the two (or three) car garage filled with 2 cars still works for some people, but many people are rethinking how they want to live. A lifestyle is emerging all over the country and in the Puget Sound area called cohousing. Cohousing is the new extended family, a community in which people live and work together to maintain the neighborhood. Think sustainable living, smaller carbon footprints, the synergy of community, and you have some of the principles of cohousing.

Want to learn about it? This weekend there’s a cohousing fair in South Seattle where you can learn more about the communities and the cohousing lifestyle. I wrote about the cohousing fair on the Seattle PI Real Estate Professionals Blog. If you click on the link you’ll find out more information about the fair and the communities that exist around Puget Sound.

There are several cohousing communities on the eastside. Clearwater Commons, New Earth Song Cohousing, which is right next door to Songaia Cohousing are all located in Bothell, Washington. New Earth Song has a focus on seniors and helping them to stay in their homes, age-in-place, and not move to communities that are just for seniors.

Cohousing may or may not be for you, but it’s good to know about alternative real estate and living choices. Things are no longer the same, as we all know, and many people are curious about more affordable, greener ways of living. Check it out!

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http://guidetoseattlerealestate.com Jonathan Martin

Debra,
Cohousing is a great alternative for many family’s and individuals who are looking for a greater since of community.

I was honored to help 3 families purchase a 4-plex together. They are able to share childcare amongst themselves and reduce their housing costs significantly. It is a blessing for their families.

I wouldn’t recomend it for everyone. It definitely takes a planned intention to live as a community. Not everyone is cut out to live in such close community. It is easy in our independant culture to be very comfortable behind our own personal bubbles.
http://www.debrasinick.com Debra Sinick

Hi Jonathan,

Nice to hear you’ve had this opportunity. I do agree. it is not for everyone. I think it is good for people to know there are different lifestyle options out there. I personally did not enjoy condo living, so I suspect cohousing would not be for me, but one never knows what will happpen!

We may see situations with more families wanting an apartment/mother-in-law for an aging parent. This will probably be a huge change in people’s buying habits, and maybe something similar to cohousing.
http://www.debrasinick.com Debra Sinick

Here’s a link to an article about unsold developments turning into cohousing neighborhoods:

http://womblemultifamilyandmixeduse.blogspot.com/2008/12/cohousing-projects-unlikely-but-viable.html