Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Choosing units

[Berrins (Berrins]

In a message dated 3/17/03 11:11:26 AM, Dahako [at] aol.com writes:

<< Hi all– 


Experienced condo/townhouse cohousers out there – please cast your mind back. 
 Remember the week or two before your group had the momentous day when each 
household got to pick a unit for its very own?  How did you handle the swirl 
of feelings?  Did your group provide space and time for discussion of 
choices?  Negotiation between members when there were overlaps?


Looking back on it now, how important is it to you that you got the unit you 
got? >>

Yup, I remember.
Feelings?  In our discussions we came up with two main criteria- levels of 
tolerance for clutter and tolerance for noise.  People chose where they 
wanted to be based on seniority- special consideration was given to be sure 
houses close to the parking lot were available for those who wanted them.  We 
then took a look at who was where and where they fit on the noise/clutter 
issues.  We then chose again, shifting around some to sort of get one 
quieter/cleaner pod (our site design has three semicircular clusters, 9, 6, 
and 9 houses each), one noisier/messier pod and one mixed.  I think overall 
it worked well.  The quieter pod ended up being more of the older and/or 
single folks, and many of them wish there were more children in that pod, but 
with the children came clutter and noise.   All in all the process went 
relatively well, with a few switches and a few anxious moments for some 
households.  I guess the most disapointed were the last ones to choose but 
hey, some of them were simply happy to get in at all, as we ended up with 
several people on our waiting list.    

Our project coordinator advised us that houses close to the common house were 
more desirous in his community, even though folks there initially chose to be 
as private as possible.  However, I don't think people feel that way in our 
community.  We are one of the houses furthest from the common house and 
parking lot, and we love our privacy and don't mind the walk (about 300 feet).

Good luck!

Roger
Pathways Cohousing
Northampton, MA
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