Very cool. It sounds like a hybrid between a commune and co-housing (where everybody owns their own home, but it's about 10-15% smaller than one on the "outside": a large community house usually provides things like laundry facilities, large kitchen for group meals and canning, etc., and whatever specialized rooms the group wants [there's one in Minneapolis, for example, that has a huge workroom with all sorts of large woodworking tools that no one individual could afford on their own.])

If we ever come across a co-housing group, in the place that we live, we'd be in in in a moment. (We keep trying to talk our friends into selling their homes and buying some close together. Tha't how some co-housing groups start: neighbors take down the fences between the properties.

Whenever a group of people get together, some will pull their weight, some will take advantage, and some will do more than their share. It's human nature. If things are at an acceptable balance for all concerned, it can be great. Once the worker bees have hit their limit, things can break down.

My mother currently lives in a co-housing unit up in Vancouver (Windsong). My father helped design it. I could see myself living in a co-housing village. The one my mother is in is supurb. Its a much cleaner solution than a co-op as the ownership gets people more involved. TB
Imperatrix | Homepage | 28.06.07 - 5:40 pm | #

Wish my parents had been sort of hippies. I'd've done ok in a commune. Might move to one yet.....

You don't strike me as a lentils and herbal tea type. Think you could survive on the rations? TB
Four Dinners | Homepage | 28.06.07 - 8:35 pm | #

I think I'd find it hard. I haven't had immediate neighbours for over 20 years and I'm a loner at heart - which is my loss, I think. A very interesting concept.

I'm like you really, need my time alone. Just my family is enough social contact to keep me going. TB
z | Homepage | 29.06.07 - 9:31 pm | #