I wasn’t familiar with cohousing until recently when a friend told me about a community she moved into last month. She explained that this type of living arrangement appealed to her because of the sense of community and support it provides. My friend’s husband passed away last year, and she had been feeling isolated and lonely. She was always a very social person, and I was happy to hear she found a good situation for herself.
What is Cohousing?
I had a lot of questions and the first thing I wanted to know was the definition of cohousing. I wasn’t sure how it differed from house sharing or commune living.
I learned cohousing is a style of living that originated in Denmark in the 1970s. It’s an intentional community of private homes organized around common spaces, shared meals, and group activities. In the U.S., cohousing started in the early 2000s. It is not the same as house sharing, which emphasizes shared residences. A cohousing development is also not the same as a commune as some think, as there is no shared community economy. Residents have independent incomes and own their own homes, which they can sell on the open market.
How Does Cohousing Work?
With a cohousing lifestyle, every single family or attached home has numerous traditional amenities, but share areas like dining areas, gardens, and recreational spaces. Because each unit is self-contained, you can balance your need for private time with the pleasure of group experiences. Neighbors help each other with everything from food shopping to home maintenance and residents make decisions about governance as a community. Cohousing is not for everyone, but participants say this type of setting provides a healthy balance between privacy and community.
During the COVID-19 lockdown, cohousing offered residents much-needed relief from the everyday stress felt by so many. Residents could look after and help each other in this setting. The close physical proximity of the homes and common areas allowed people to easily interact, while still maintaining a healthy social distance.
Why Is Cohousing Attractive to Boomers?
There seem to be many reasons why cohousing is an attractive choice for boomers. Residents can enjoy an intellectually stimulating and emotionally supportive environment ideal for aging at home in a non-institutional setting. This model is a good option for active older adults who still have years of life ahead of them, but desire a home with less maintenance. People who live in these collaborative communities describe the lifestyle as safe, nurturing, and fun.
Community living helps decrease the social isolation and loneliness seniors often experience as they age. Even before the spread of COVID19, loneliness and social isolation were already at record levels in the U.S. In January 2020, Cigna released a report showing approximately three in five American adults identified as lonely, which represents a 7% increase from 2018.
Benefits of Senior Cohousing
People choose this type of living situation for a variety of reasons. Here are the four benefits we hear about most often:
Connection
Cohousing fosters connection. This lifestyle brings people together who choose to live cooperatively based on shared values. Celebrations add flavor and help build relationships. Many housing options for seniors who want to live in their own homes don’t provide a neighborhood atmosphere; cohousing offers an attractive alternative.
Community Support
Shared activities, including community meals, are part of daily life. The wisdom of the group plays an important role in making decisions about governance and everyone is encouraged to participate. This practice requires an environment where all members are comfortable communicating and feel that their opinion is valued. As a result, neighbors get to know each other well and it is easy to nurture and provide support to each other.
Sustainability (Green Living)
Community means sharing more and consuming less, and green living starts at home. Not only do residents collaborate on everything from green technology to recycling, but they also often share resources such as tools and lawnmowers.
Affordability
In senior cohousing, shared resources and proximity means residents may live independently longer. Living on your own longer results in less money that therefore needs to be spent on expensive retirement homes. A cohousing situation may also lead to a decreased need for professional caregivers as neighbors pitch in to help. Residents may choose to live in smaller units instead of investing in larger personal houses; they can then channel their money into shared facilities and take advantage of economies of scale. Finally, residents share material goods and responsibilities to help the community become financially sustainable. The upfront costs of cohousing may not appear to be less than other choices for this age group, however, the longer-term savings are undeniable.
The Bottom Line
It all comes down to making the world a better place. According to Charles Durrett, author of The Senior Cohousing Handbook: A Community Approach to Independent Living,
“Great environments don’t happen because architects create them, but because cultures create them;”
Would you be interested in a lifestyle that may require a smaller living space to gain access to shared community amenities and to live with like-minded people who share your values? Many find cohousing to be fulfilling joyful, rich, and sustainable. Your thoughts? Please share them in the comment section below.
FAQs about Cohousing
Below are some commonly asked questions about cohousing.
What is cohousing?
Cohousing is an intentional community where individuals or families live in separate units but share common spaces, resources, and responsibilities. The design emphasizes collaboration, community, and participatory decision-making.
How does cohousing work?
In cohousing, residents actively participate in the design and decision-making processes of their community. They share common facilities, such as a communal kitchen, dining area, and recreational spaces, fostering a sense of community while maintaining private living spaces.
Who is cohousing suitable for?
Cohousing can be suitable for a range of individuals, including families, empty nesters, seniors, single individuals, and those seeking a close-knit, collaborative community environment.
How is decision-making handled in cohousing?
Typically, decisions in cohousing are made through a participatory process where all residents have a say. Regular meetings, consensus-building, and democratic methods are commonly used to address community concerns and make decisions.
Are cohousing communities sustainable?
Many cohousing communities prioritize sustainability. They may incorporate eco-friendly design, renewable energy sources, and shared sustainable practices as part of their commitment to environmental consciousness. Talk to people who live in the community in which you’re interested to find out if they prioritize sustainability.
How do residents maintain privacy in cohousing?
While cohousing emphasizes community, residents also have private living spaces. Design features, such as separate housing units, allow individuals or families to balance privacy with community engagement.
How do cohousing communities handle finances?
Cohousing communities typically have a financial structure that involves sharing certain costs, such as maintenance, utilities, and common space expenses. Residents contribute financially to support the shared aspects of the community.
