Have you ever dreamed of living in a neighborhood where neighbors know one another well, children can play and explore safely, and seniors are able to age in their own homes? |
Benefits of living in cohousingCohousing gives residents a unique blend of community and privacy. Households have independent incomes and private lives, but neighbors collaboratively plan and manage community activities and shared spaces. Self-management empowers residents, builds community, and saves money. Cohousing provides support to families raising kids (built-in childcare and affordable community meals) and gifts older adults a supportive community setting (allowing for active aging).
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What is cohousing?
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Cohousing is an intentional neighborhood of private homes clustered around shared space. Each attached or single family home has traditional amenities, including a private kitchen. Shared spaces typically feature a common house, which may include a larger kitchen and dining area, laundry and recreational spaces. Shared outdoor space may include parking, walkways, open space and gardens. Neighbors share resources while maintaining independent lifestyles.
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Households have independent incomes and private lives, but neighbors collaboratively plan and manage community activities and shared spaces. The legal structure is typically an HOA, Condo Association, or Housing Cooperative. Community activities feature regularly-scheduled shared meals, meetings, and workdays. Neighbors gather for parties, games, movies, or other events. Cohousing makes it easy to form clubs, organize child and elder care, and carpool.
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"What Skagit Cohousing Means to Me"
Perspective from three Skagit Cohousing members
MIRIAM SMITH
I became interested in Cohousing after being widowed in my early 30's. I wanted to build a life in a community larger than one couple. I want to live in a place where I assume that the knock on my door is a friend, not a salesman. Where my neighbor's children play along the path in front of my house. Where I cook for and with my neighbors and work along side them to improve our properties and our larger community. I want to live in community rather than isolation. |
CHERYL A. FEAR
Skagit Co-Housing represents hope for a future in the midst of a caring community made up of multiple generations and diverse points of view. I am happiest when I can be helpful and of use to others, and feel most secure when I am connected meaningfully to those around me. |
DAN GERHARD
I think that all my life I have been looking for the type of community that cohousing provides – a community where persons are known, respected, and nurtured by the persons living around them. As I think about the dream of Skagit Cohousing I am excited about sharing my gifts, talents and interests, and receiving these same things from a variety of interesting people of all ages and descriptions. I am also excited about designing a community that expresses a deep commitment to nurture and care for the physical environment in which we live. |
