Cohousing-L Mailing List: Letter to the Oakland Tribune

[Joani Blank (joani]

A couple of really nice articles about us appeared recently in the Oakland
(CA) Tribune.  One my neighbors, Sue Jensen wrote the paper this wonderful
letter, which I'm pleased to say, they published in full. I'm posting it
here with Sue's permission. (I didn't ask the Trib for theirs.)  I think
this kind of letter-to-the-editor goes a long way toward increasing
understanding of cohousing among those in the general public. So, y'all, if
your local paper gives you any little hook to hang a letter like this on,
get those keyboarding fingers flying. I'm quite confident that Sue would
not be unhappy if you adapted her letter to fit your local situation. <smile>

Joani Blank
Old Oakland Cohousing @ Swan's Market  (our whole name)

...where last Sunday close to 450 (not a typo!) people attended our Open
House for friends and family, others involved in the building of this
place, and other cohousers.  

7/16/00
To the Editor
The Oakland Tribune

First of all I would like to thank you for the upbeat articles in the Trib
(7/2, 7/16) about Old Oakland Cohousing at Swan's Market in the historic
district downtown.  There are a lot of misconceptions about cohousing and
the idea is often viewed with suspicion.  Cohousing is comprised of people
who self-select to live in community.  In our community this encompasses a
sharing of resources, skills, community space in which to exercise, garden,
eat, entertain and have our own workshop.

We live in our own individual condominiums in this beautiful, historic
landmark building.  Yes, we have our own kitchens.  For myself, a single
40-something female, the living situation is ideal on many levels.  I know
and like my neighbors which gives me a feeling of security and belonging.
I come home to a healthy meal 3 nights a week at which I neither have to
cook or clean up.  I get to cook once a month for a large group of people
which challenges my creative culinary skills.

My condo is very small but very nice with french doors, a small balcony,
skylight and high ceilings.  I am able to entertain large groups in our
common house which is equipped with a 6 burner gas stove, 2 ovens, dishes
and a fridge.  It is an elegant space.  Public transportation is a block
away and the local shops and restaurants meet almost all of my needs.
There is great pleasure in knowing that I am part of a unique project which
contributes to the restoration and preservation of a historic building in
Old Oakland.

A couple of things people need to know about cohousing in this particular
community and in general.  First, the development of the community starts
years before move-in.  Many of us had been  involved in the recruitment and
development of this space for 4-5 years.  This involves a lot of work, akin
to having a second job without monetary benefits but very fulfilling (most
of the time).  I have learned so much about so many things in the process.
We were extremely lucky to have a developer (EBALDC), architects (Pyatok
Associates), consultants (The Cohousing Company), and a building contractor
(Oliver & Company),  who were capable of working with us in a positive and
productive way.

Second, the condo prices that have been quoted in your two articles were
not completely accurate.  The prices ranged from about 149 K for 650 sq.
feet to 340K  for about 1500 sq. feet.  This averaged about $220 per square
foot.  The cost was higher than originally anticipated because of the
construction boom and the fact that historic renovation costs a lot more
than building new.  And remember one is also investing in the common spaces
which includes the 3200 sq.foot multi-use Common House.  The more rural
communities tend to be less pricey.

I could go on and on about all the benefits of cohousing as a lifestyle,
especially in this time of material glut, depersonalization, and lack of
personal free time.  For more information on our community and others which
are already established or forming, log onto www.cohousing.org.

Thank you,

Susan Jensen
Old Oakland Cohousing at Swan's Market