Housing

Cohousing communities are usually designed as attached homes such as townhouses and duplexes or stand alone family homes along one or more pedestrian streets or clustered around a central courtyard. The sizes of these communities range in size from 7 to 70 residences, the majority of them housing 20 to 40 households or so. Regardless of the size of the community, there are many opportunities for casual meetings between neighbors, as well as for deliberate gatherings such as street parties, celebrations, clubs and business meetings.

The common house is the social center of a community, often with a large dining room and kitchen, lounge, recreational facilities, children’s spaces, and frequently a guest room, workshop and laundry room. Communities can serve optional group meals in the common house at two or three times a week depending on your local community.

The need for community members to take care of common property builds a sense of working together, trust and support. Because neighbors hold a commitment to a relationship with one another, almost all cohousing communities use consensus as the basis for group decision-making.

Cohousing came to the U.S. 15 years ago from Denmark, where intergenerational communities gave birth to a successful, age-specific cohousing model for active elders and seniors. The first elder/senior-only cohousing neighborhoods for active adults, 55 and above, are just now emerging in the U.S. Design features include easy access for all levels of physical ability and also may include optional studio residences in the common house to provide living quarters for home health aides whose services may be shared by several residents.

These communities are always looking for ways for older citizens to enjoy the company of friends in a supportive setting as part of independent housing and with the benefits of being part of a community.

Cohousing has been in the United States since the first multi-generational neighborhood was completed in Davis, CA in 1991. Learn more at the Cohousing Association of America.

Cohousing Neighborhoods are a housing model which offers pro-active adults, 55 and above, the opportunity to live interdependently and "age in community" within a close - knit group of neighbors. These are save and secure environments with good facilities.

Another option is for people is to buy a house and land package in a country such as Australia and they can be found in places like Home Builders Australia see House & Land Packages

These offer good housing with good access to facilities and they come in quality housing estates were there are facilities similar to those in co housing neighbourhoods in America.

An option for perspective co housing owners is for them to rent a home in an estate first. For this you will need to contact a property manager who manages some of the properties in the estate.

Good property management is important in these communities and for residents and tenants no matter what your age is. A good property manager who will help look after a property for an owner. Repairs are done quicker, the property will be in better condition and you will have less hassles. So if you are renting or planning to live in a good community find a property that is run by a good property manager.

Home Improvement

When it comes to home improvement or repair it is important to use good tradesman. Use a resource such as Home Builders Australia which lists trades via local search.

Plumbers Bunbury

Plumbers Melbourne

Electricians Melbourne

When buyong property it pays to be carful and find out about the devloper or land estate you are buying in.

Calypso Bay has a bad reputation and the developer Roche Group are also know as a developer not to get involoved with.