Re: Affordable Cohousing | <– Date –> <– Thread –> |
From: David Hornick (davidhornickmdgmail.com) | |
Date: Tue, 29 Sep 2009 07:50:27 -0700 (PDT) |
I realize that everyone appreciates that 'affordability' relates to more than the cost of materials, architectural services and labor, but I thought I'd make a few explicit statements regarding the matter. Cost of Construction: Depends greatly upon location. A home that must be able to provide a comfortable living environment in the climatic extremes of the northern US, must cost much more than a home built in a more temperate climate such as San Diego where insulation, heating and cooling systems and landscaping elements are vastly different. Cohousing that is built in certain parts of Mexico, requires different design to assure a comfortable living environment and no (or minimal) systems for heating and cooling. These areas have year-round temperatures ranging between 60 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. Also, labor costs are so much lower in Mexico that the finished cost of a typical home is about $50 per square foot (without sweat equity). Cost of Living: Depends upon cost for food and energy, taxes, insurance, healthcare and, as people age and become functionally and cognitively frail, the cost of hands-on care. Energy costs: In Oaxaca, Mexico, there are over 300 days per year with sunshine (less than 60 cloudy days per year) and there is little variation in the amount of daylight throughout the year (12-13 hours per day). Solar-generated electricity makes a great deal of sense and markedly reduces the cost of living compared to northern climates where larger, much more costly solar systems must be deployed for similar energy generation. Food costs: In Oaxaca, Mexico, food costs in the local supermarket and numerous farmer's markets are about half those in the United States. Most food is grown locally 12 months a year and is 'fresh'. Personal care: Typically, in the US this care costs about $20 per hour (over $3000 per week for 24 hour care in a person's home). In Mexico, the same care can be provided for $300 per week. Housekeeping and yard work / gardening assistance: The usual rate of pay is about $2.50 to $3.00 per hour. Property taxes: Usually substantially less than $500 per year for a 2000 square foot home. Insurance: Less than half the cost of the US. Healthcare: National health insurance for expatriots is less than $1500 per year. The cost of a 1000 square foot home built in Oaxaca Mexico costs about $50,000 to $100,000 (depending upon the cost for furnishings). Average daily cost of living is about $20 per day. These figures are based upon my best efforts to collect information talking with knowledgeable North Americans living in Mexico (estimated to be more than 1 million US citizens, alone). Crime in Mexico (because I know the subject will come up)? Probably a lot less than crime in many US and Canadian cities (see article: http://mexicommunity.com/crime.html) Where one chooses to live involves various trade-offs and accommodations. When affordability is the primary issue, climate and the cost of living are enormously important and should be an important part of the dialogue. David Hornick Mexicommunity Intentional Community Project http://mexicommunity.com/
- Re: affordable cohousing, (continued)
- Re: affordable cohousing Rob Sandelin, September 27 2009
- Re: affordable cohousing Rod Lambert, September 28 2009
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Re: Affordable Cohousing David Hornick, September 29 2009
- Re: Affordable Cohousing Jerome Garciano, September 29 2009
- Re: Affordable Cohousing David Hornick, September 29 2009
- Re: Affordable Cohousing Marganne Meyer, January 20 2010
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Re: affordable cohousing Cindy T, January 21 2010
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Re: affordable cohousing Chili Head, January 21 2010
- Low cost community housing group Marganne Meyer, January 21 2010
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Re: affordable cohousing Chili Head, January 21 2010
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