Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Cohousing: A big Move

[Zukrow (Zukrow]

Hi Everyone,

Elaine asked about stories of people who have moved in order to live in a
coho group.  My situation is unusual (unique?) among the cohousers I know, so
I thought I'd share it with you.  I first heard about cohousing when I
attended a slide show and talk given by Chuck & Katie in Berkeley, CA after
the first edition of their book was published.  I was immediately impressed
with the concept of cohousing and have followed the movement in this country
ever since.  

2 1/2 years ago I finally found myself financially in a position where I
could seriously contemplate buying a place.  I became something of a
cohousing groupie, corresponding with and visiting many groups until I found
one which I felt would suit my needs.  I joined Valley Oaks Village in Chico
CA.  We built last year and I was the very first person to move in exactly 1
year ago today!

I had an easier time doing this than most people would for a few reasons.  I
am single and childless.  I work as a tour guide, which means I can live
anywhere as long as I can get myself to a major airport (unfortunately
Chico's airport doesn't count).  Before I joined the group, I had never been
to Chico in my life.  I didn't know a soul in Chico, I didn't even know where
Chico was.  It is a 3 1/2 hour drive from where I had been living in S.F.  In
the 1 1/2 years after I joined the group, and before I moved in, I came here
as often as possible for meetings and work parties (renting a car to do so,
since I didn't own one).  I stayed with various members when I visited, which
was a great way to get to know folks a little better than is possible at
meetings.  When I couldn't get here, I'd try and stay in contact via phone
and e-mail. 

When I moved, I had an instant social life, through all the people in our
community.  Although I moved here a year ago, I was not here much for the
first 8 months.  Recently, I've realized that as much as I love my community,
it is not enough for me, and I've made a concerted effort to meet more people
in Chico outside of cohousing.  I still feel like I'm in a transition time,
especially because last year was very crazy for me workwise & I was away much
more than I'd hoped to be.  Overall it's going really well.

There are 3 other households here that moved to Chico from outside of the
area.  All had friends or family in Chico &/or in our community.  

Monica Zukrow
Valley Oaks Village, Chico, CA