Community Size
From: Sharon Villines (sharonsharonvillines.com)
Date: Fri, 12 Sep 2014 07:51:19 -0700 (PDT)
> From: John Goldberg <johngoldberg [at] hotmail.com>
> Subject: [C-L]_ Minimum number of units
> 
> I would like to know the number of units of the smallest Cohousing 
> communities and people's opinions about the smallest number of units 
> necessary for a viable Cohousing community. Thank you 

Years ago somewhere in the literature I saw the results of a survey that the 
ideal size was 25-35 households. Under 25 could get too claustrophobic and over 
35 too distant. 

If our community is any measure, communities of 35 units will have 58 adults. 
Each additional adult seems like 2 more. It's a "get to know you" issue plus 
the size of meetings and meals. 

We now have 80+ people to celebrate birthdays for. Signing 5-10 birthday cards 
every month has become a chore that more and more people avoid. And there are 
more "just signatures" and fewer messages. Fewer and fewer even show up for the 
birthday cakes and ice cream on Sunday celebrations.

In the last 2-5 years had a rash of people moving to assisted living and new 
jobs, and new renters. As an introvert, I'm so tired of meeting new people, 
I've taken a break. After a year, I recognize everyone and put names to faces. 
I was stumped, however, when this month's list of children to report on their 
new school year (and favorite ice cream and TV shows) when I saw "Sparky." I 
knew it wasn't a dog because the other dogs weren't on the list. It turned out 
to be the name of an unborn baby.

Community size does matter. I think it may vary by whether the community is an 
attached dwelling or lot model. A lot model would seem to have less of an 
expectation daily interaction. We have townhouses and apartments, all attached. 
It's odd not to know every well people living two doors away or not to see them 
frequently. 

Children also bring people together. I used to have children in and out almost 
every day but they have either grown up or moved away. It's very different 
without them or their parents coming to look for them.

Sharon
----
Sharon Villines
Takoma Village Cohousing, Washington DC
http://www.takomavillage.org





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