Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: affordable cohousing

[Sharon Villines (sharon]

> On Feb 23, 2016, at 5:15 AM, Mary English <Mary.English [at] hsc.utah.edu> 
> wrote:
> 
> Unfortunately the 'caste system' was very apparent and constant during the 15 
> years of the low income CROWN, rent to own program, here on the 5 units of 
> our 26 units. 

Were the people able to choose to live there after understanding what the 
community was all about and meeting people?

Income level is not always indicative of education levels, interests, etc. I 
would say that everyone here shares similar cultural expectations even though 
income levels are very different. 

I don’t think we talk enough about cultural and ethnic diversity. We discuss 
income, skin color, gender orientation, single/partnered, etc. Instead we drink 
wine, eat clean if not organic food, we frown on big cars, our children take 
music lessons, we read books, we watch PBS and independent films, etc.

When we moved in, I tried to buy Diet Coke at the liquor store a block away. 
The owner explained to me that this is a Pepsi neighborhood. Things are 
changing but not enough for him to stock Diet Coke. That was 15 years ago. He 
now stocks Diet Coke regularly. 

Cultural differences are often subtle but very important. 

Sharon
----
Sharon Villines
Takoma Village Cohousing, Washington DC
http://www.takomavillage.org