With the economy growing and booming in certain areas of the country, there are new alternatives showing up for how to live in these areas and not go broke. While strong economic times are great overall for the country, there are many individuals that find it very challenging, especially when it comes to affordable housing.
Take for example those living in high-cost areas such as Seattle, San Francisco, New York, Los Angeles and other places around the country. In these cities the cost of housing has become astronomical. The idea of purchasing land and building tiny houses next to each other seems like something out of a distant past for most people. But according to an article in Seattle Times titled, “Battling rising cost of living? Seeking a community? A look at the cohousing lifestyle,” this could be a very real and enjoyable solution for many retirees.
Enter Charles Durrett, an architect who has been advocating for the cohousing lifestyle for years. This past June, Charles presented a workshop for people who want to establish these types of communities. The idea is relatively simple. In these communities, everyone gets their own private home and living quarters but shares kitchens and other rooms that are akin to sharing. Neighbors share household items, meals, coordinate activities and make group decisions about how to manage their shared lives.
While Charles introduced the concept and phrase “cohousing” some thirty years ago, he says that he’s now busier than ever before. The workshop was sold out. The concept could become an ideal solution for seniors who don’t want to give up their privacy but would like to be part of a smaller community. It is not dissimilar to retirement living only instead of everything you do being under one roof you have the opportunity to spread costs and be part of a community, similar to that of a retirement community.
Durrett recommends that each community have a caretaker unit with someone being available to take care of the residents. They can also live as part of the group and help with a variety go tasks and activities. They would be the one that manages much of the activities and needs within that particular community.
The success of a cohousing community is not in the size or design of the house. The community’s success is due to the enthusiasm of the people coming together who believe their lives will be better if they are living as part of a community. That’s the common denominator. Charles has lived in a cohousing community for 12 years with 30 adults, 20 of them being seniors and 20 children.
Research has shown that people live longer when they are socially engaged. However, social can also turn to drama and other issues, especially in small groups. And since many of these are designed for more retirement aged individuals, they can often be set in their ways. This stubbornness can create conflicts if not managed properly and timely. The residents must learn how to get along and cooperate for this co-housing concept to be successful.
Is cohousing for you? You should do your homework before making a decision about selling your home to live in a shared community. This is a big change in both your living conditions and your lifestyle. One way to help you understand the pros and cons is to visit with your estate planning attorney to review what your wishes are and where you are in life. Your estate plan should also reflect your new position and be aligned with your new ownership. Having this under control from the beginning can help you have much greater peace of mind and allow you to totally enjoy your new lifestyle.