Cohousing-L Mailing List: Testimonials Wanted

[Gretchen Westlight (gren]

Greetings -

It seems lately at Cascadia Commons (Portland, Oregon) we've had a rush of
interest from families/couples where one partner is very enthusiastic
about cohousing, and the other is emphatically NOT.  The folks who aren't
as interested have a number of concerns (location, commute, perception of
community as a drain on their time and energy, greater need for privacy,
little experience setting subtle boundaries so easier to set a big one
that doesn't include community, etc.). 

I've heard general stories about "converts," folks who were initially
skeptical but after move-in become enthusiastic participants (we have a
few ourselves), and would love to hear some more specific ones from other
communities.  I see this difference being frustrating for the partners who
really want to be in community, but are not able to provide information
that it might work and actually be enjoyable.  I'm not into trying to
convince anyone to move in who really doesn't belong in community, but it
would be helpful to have some real-life stories of people who discovered
hidden benefits and joys in community life.  Anyone out there want to
share? :-)

- Gretchen Westlight

--
gren [at] agora.rdrop.com               Member of: Cascadia Commons Cohousing
http://www.ogi.edu/~gren/                  Portland, Oregon
                                           http://www.cascadiacommons.com