Do you really know your neighbor ? Do you live in a place with a real sense of community? Do you know someone you can trust is always close by?
Cohousing families across the world can answer yes to all of these questions.
I first came across the concept of cohousing in a Netflix documentary: Happy | https://www.netflix.com/title/70243161
Cohousing originates in Denmark, the first community was built in 1972 near Copenhagen. Today over 1% of Danish citizens - about 50,000 people - live in cohousing.
The documentary covers Jernstoberiet, one of Denmark's cohousing communities in Roskilde, that houses 20 families. Consisting of families with children, single-parents, seniors and students, people are able to share their experience, wisdom, support, and love with everyone.
Each resident of the community has their own family dwelling. Other resources such as common rooms, gardens, laundry facilities, etc. are shared among the residents. In many communities residents participate in the planning and construction of their homes and shared facilities, creating an even greater sense of community. Because energy and other resources are conserved, cohousing developments are able to leave smaller environmental footprints.
Groups take turns cooking for the community once or twice a month. Yes, only once or twice. Cut time on shopping for groceries and cooking. Imagine how much more time that would free up to spend with your family or other leisure activities.
Children of all ages benefit from growing up in cohousing. From the day they begin their life there they have a support system; not only do they have several parental figures, but peers of a variety of ages to help them learn and grow. They develop relationships with other members and become like family.
Charles Durrett, The Senior Cohousing Handbook
Great environments don’t happen because architects create them, but because cultures create thems
If you don't have a Netflix account, but are curious here's the segment regarding the cohousing community: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_cleTzREJNs
More to come on cohousing! Let me know what you think of the concept :)