What is this thing called co-housing?

Design your own retirement

You have your own home with your own kitchen, and your own privacy. But you can step out the door into the neighbourhood of people you know. You can find company when you want it, be alone when you feel like being alone.

There’s a common house where you can share a meal with others whenever you choose. There’s a neighbourhood feel and spirit where you belong, and know that you are safe.

The mix of residents varies, and may include families with small children, older children, and singles. Regardless of the age or mix of residents, the six important elements of this kind of living arrangement are:

• you participate in the design of the community
• the physical design promotes a sense of community, with individual houses often clustered around a common space
• there is a common house or facility which is the social center of the community You can share meals with others when you wish (everyone has their own kitchen in their own house)
• you share in the management of the community
• everyone shares in the decision-making process, and decisions are almost always arrived at by consensus
• you are not participating in a shared economy. Everyone manages their own finances and owns their own space

Elder Co-Housing - “It’s about wisdom, not age”.

Their motto “It’s about wisdom, not age”.

Some of my friends and I are just starting to look into this model for a few years down the road. We will be able to get a lot of help in our research, because you can find groups who offer tours, seminars, workshops. You can even find on-line webinars on the topic if you can’t get to a workshop in person. Get details from this Co-Housing Association website

Exciting! The idea of designing our own retirement living arrangements is sooo attractive!