i fail to see how this differs from just saying "having roommates"..

also.. i think portland needs affordable RENTALS.. there are condos as far as the eye can see as it is, so turning rentals into condos kinda sucks, regardless of sustainable community gardens and whatmayhaveyou..
but hey.. maybe the cali transplants will be into it?

I grew up partly on a kibbutz in Israel--so know about the mixed blessings of collective living. I miss the community and built-in friends, but not the gossip and lack of privacy. I'd be curious to hear about the experience of people living in co-housing now. Do you feel like you have enough privacy? control over who does/doesn't have access to your personal life? What about noise? Personal space? How about re-sale of your unit/does it keep its value? Do you get some say in the design of your unit or are there strict rules about what goes or doesn't? Maybe it varies by development, but I am so curious...thanks!

I recently purchased a home in a co-housing community, moving a family of four into 1100 square feet.

The gardens are beautiful, and located on an urban infill site which doesn't give the feeling of isolation from the greater community, along with ammenities such as common "gourmet" kitchen, kids room, pool, chickens, etc.

After only a few months of living here we have experienced the joys of rapidly becoming acquainted with our neighbors and living near people with common values.

But on the other hand we have been subject to a lot of opinions (and a lot of conflict) regarding design choices for our personal space, child rearing, and even our pets.

Co-housing has been challenging, but overall there is a lot of effort put forth to ensure a peaceful coexistence...an issue that few neighborhoods address. The community feel and common space are reminiscent of the neighborhood I grew up in and certainly outweigh the hassles of dealing with opinionated and overbearing members.

Almost too close for comfort. I live in a cooperative housing development, and while everyone gets their very own single family unit, it's stunning to me how very uncooperative and petty people are. There are no restrictions, however, on who can buy in. Therefore we don't have a mutual common ground from which to build a community. There are 49 units and the HOA governs all.

I love the benefits that economies of scale bring, like reducing costs of garbage, water, cable, landscaping, etc. I got a new roof for $1400! I get my windows cleaned for $25. I get access to a free dumpster once a year to haul away stuff that can't even be given away on freecycle. I also like that everyone's home looks clean and kept -- my boyfriend's home is lovely and in a great neighborhood, but his new neighbor has turned the yard into a dumping ground.

So you can live in a place where everyone is just like you? So much for diversity. Building and garden maintenance makes sense, but group activities? You can get evicted for not wanting to join in jolly sing-songs around the campfire?
Sounds exactly like those detested HOA's in gated communities.

I've never lived in a co-op, but I grew up in a very large family (think Utah family, and add a couple more kids), and now there's nothing more horrifying that the idea of living with a lot of people again. I live with my boyfriend, and I still have my own room.

I could never do this. I'm terrible about compromising on decorating!

Oooh. I lived in the "Joint House" as well. Messy, messy. Could never go back to co-op living!

There is no inducement strong enough to ever get me into such an arrangement; roommates were bad enough.

My hippie s-i-l lived in an arrangement like this in college; it was a lot even for her. She claimed that everyone was expected to attend the various group activities regularly, and if she or anyone else had plans outside the group home then their absences were noted. If they were gone more than very occasionally they were told it would be better if they moved out as they "weren't into the energy of the home". It was a cheaper option in an expensive town so she made it work, but really disliked it.

No
More
Roomates
Ever

It's how I live, and wouldn't want it any other way. An old schoolbuilding owned by a union, and we as tenants can decide who come to live here. we all have our own apartments, and share a roof terrace, large communal kitchen and a big garden.

it's like the best of both worlds. private spaces, all with our own apartments, but on top of that places where we can meet for drinks, food and talk. it's close and connected when you want to, it's individual living at the same time when you want some privacy.

we often wondered why not more people were living like we do here, especially older people, divorced parents, and those who would generally like that little extra social life on top of a busy professional life. it's just bonuses if you come home after a long day and your neighbor offers to cook for you, when playing some wii tennis with some of the tenants, or just simply get drunk watching a movie together.

i think the fact that we could pick our own neighbors has greatly added to the quality of our communal life here. and often we wonder: why would everyone want t live like we do? 9 apartments, 14 happy adults and 2 children.

I think many of the commenters are missing the point. In most co-housing communities, you have your own home (be it an apartment or a single-family dwelling). You can lock your door and retreat inside whenever you want/need to. But there are often shared meals, shared child care, etc-- whatever the community decides they want to share. I love the idea and think I would do well in a co-housing situation. And I'm a private, introverted person.

And I know the Joint house, too. I never lived there, but I did go to parties there-- and had friends in other cooperatives. Is there more than one, or are we all talking about Ann Arbor?

Definitely Ann Arbor. Started in East Quad (RC), moved to Joint and then got out of there the next year...

funny...I lived in joint too. I think the idea of a cooperative and communal living situation sounds like a great alternative to our tendency towards increasing social isolation that results in the rise of social-networking mania that seems to be gripping the web these days.

While the example you mentioned is designed for people who are ready to purchase, it seems that such a living situation could benefit people that are more inclined towards renting i.e. those who are unmarried and perhaps a bit young to covet that level of commitment either financial or otherwise.

aad,
where is your place?

oh, Rotterdam i see....
your arrangement sounds good.

Sounds like the exclusive country club. "Sorry, but you don't meet our standards, so you can't join." What are the typical requirements for being able to join one of these communities?

I've visited friends in one of our many co-housing communities and it seems like a beautiful relaxed atmosphere with enough privacy--far differed from the gated community-lifestyle around here which seems stultifying. Meanwhile, I live in a nice, typical American, good-fences-make-good-neighbors hood where I rarely talk to my neighbors. The younger people in the neighborhood like the idea of community building; the older folks want you to keep your weeds down.

Seems like a nice place. As a 20-something professional, I'd definitely consider it. Who doesn't want to be a part of a community?