Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: how long DOES it take?

[Marya S. Tipton (sundog]

Hello Denise & all,

We at Hundredfold are on the "fast track." The first families started
meeting about two years ago. After what seemed like an endless land
search,in November we put an 80-acre farm under contract and are currently
seeking approvals from the township and county. The plan is to take
possession June 1 and start construction in late June or July. If all the
stars are ligned up in our favor, then we shall be moving in late fall or
early spring.

A big help to us has been that the family who initiated the project lived in
cohousing beforehand and brought with them a wealth of experience. We also
have a number of "burning souls" in the group, pushing things forward. We
have a very healthy group process. All things considered, we haven't had
very much bickering and most disagreements have been solved with a kind word
and a hug. We also owe a debt of gratitude to Hearbeat Cities, our
consultants, who have helped us to untangle the labyrinthine development
process.

Boy, this is starting to sound like a speech at the Oscars!

Peace,

Marya Tipton
Hundredfold Farm
Orrtanna, PA
A Place to Grow
Visit our website at http://users.desupernet.com/rhubarb

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>From: Denise Meier & Michael Jacob <dmmj [at] ncal.verio.com>
>To: Multiple recipients of list <cohousing-l [at] freedom2.mtn.org>
>Subject: how long DOES it take?
>Date: Tue, Apr 4, 2000, 2:10 AM
>

> Vicky wrote:
>
>>  creating cohousing in the current model of taking 5 years
>> plus to build, inflating the costs of the units.
>>
>
> I'm curious. It certainly took us this long (5.5 years from my first
> meeting
> to move-in). But in those 5 years since I joined our group, the number
> of
> built communities in North America went from 12 to over 40.
>
> I'd be interested in a quick reply from the built (or nearly built)
> communities on line. How long DID it take?  More specifically these
> questions:
>
> How long from when the group formed to move-in?
>
> How long from when you found land and got control of it (optioned or
> purchased)?
>
> For us it was 6 years and 3 years.
>
> Thanks,
> Denise Meier
> Two Acre Wood
> Sebastopol, Northern CA
>