Cohousing: What is it and what’s the appeal?

When it comes to cohousing, you might not know exactly what it is or why people are gravitating toward this living situation. Let’s take a look at where cohousing originated from, its benefits and if cooperative living could be the right community for you.

What is cohousing?

Cohousing is a small intentional community of private homes clustered around a shared space, which usually includes a large kitchen, dining area and recreational areas. Neighbors typically get together to maintain their shared space, plan community activities, eat meals and lend a helping hand to one another when needed. In nearly every cohousing community, the management is handled democratically by residents who live on the property. There are currently over 165 cohousing communities in the United States with another 140 in the planning stages, according to the Cohousing Association of the United States.

Cohousing’s history

Cohousing as we currently know it began in Denmark in the 1960s. These communities were designed with the explicit intention of creating villages to aid in the raising of all of the community children. Denmark now has many cohousing communities, with the average individual home growing smaller and the shared areas and amenities growing larger.

Cohousing has grown in popularity in the United States with places like  McCamant & Durrett’s “Muir Commons.” They advertise “modern village living” and offer books, workshops and full-scale architecture services designing functional cohousing communities. Their communities feature extensive amenities and common areas, which have made them very popular with residents.

Benefits of Cohousing

There are many perks to living in a cohousing community instead of buying a traditional house. Let’s look at a few of the biggest factors encouraging people to choose this lifestyle.

Affordability

One of the most obvious benefits of cohousing is the cost savings. The legal structure for a cohousing community is typically a homeowners association or housing cooperative. By sharing land and living spaces, residents are able to get more affordable housing compared to living independently and having to own everything they need. This cost savings can be particularly attractive to young professionals looking to start their career without breaking the bank on rent. Cohousing isn’t that different from living in a dorm room, making it an easy transition for recent college graduates.

Amenities

Luxury amenities like laundry and maid services, gourmet kitchens and fitness areas are often included in more urban cohousing communities. This could be a big selling feature of living in a cohousing setup. Busy professionals might find it especially appealing not only to not have to worry about upkeep and maintenance, but to also not even have to worry about coordinating or separately paying for these services that they’re likely to have anyway.

Sense of community

The biggest attraction of a cohouse living is the sense of community. These living situations are designed to be a built-in network of support and camaraderie. This could be especially attractive to someone moving to town for the first time, or people who work long hours and don’t have time to go out and meet new people.

Cooperative living communities by location

Most cohousing communities have 15 – 35 individual homes, but there’s a wide variety of living arrangements depending on where a community is situated and who it’s intended for.

Urban settings

Cohousing communities in cities are typically made up of condo complexes, townhouses or low-rise apartments. Many of these communities are geared toward young professionals, with rentable units available on shorter term leases for flexibility.

Rural areas

With more room to spread out, rural cohousing communities often feature single-family houses and can span several acres. Much of the time, homes will be clustered tightly together so that the rest of the land can be used for farming or recreation.

Mixed-use

Some cohousing communities share their land with businesses and public spaces. A mixed-use development could include an office suite, a park and a shopping mall in addition to the residential area. The idea is that someone can live, work, play and shop in one place.

Senior cohousing

Cohousing can be a great solution for senior citizens who are concerned about losing a sense of community after retiring. It can be hard for some people to go from working every day to staying home or having adult children move away. Housebound seniors also might begin to feel isolated if living alone. Senior cohousing allows for community social connections while still maintaining the privacy of living independently.

Senior cohousing communities are typically limited to residents over a certain age, such as 55. This encourages a community of residents with similar interests, hobbies and needs.

The bottom line: Could a cohousing community be right for you?

If you’re looking to travel, relocate for a new job, or just want to have your own space while feeling the support of a tight-knit group, you might feel at home in a cohousing community. With more than 165 cohousing communities in the United States and evidence of its continued growth, you’re sure to find co-living near you.