Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Cohousing Community as a Part of a Condo Building

[Sharon Villines (sharon]

Another thought on this. In Manhattan I had friends who lived in condo 
buildings but were renters. There was added tension because the renters were 
also rent-controlled but it was also a 2-tiered community. The people who had 
known each other for years and also knew the ins and outs of NYC real estate 
and those who were new or new to the neighborhood. 

Those who were allowed to use the elevator because they paid for it and the 
renters who couldn’t. 

Those who were in the social network that talked and had parties together all 
the time, and those who barely spoke to anyone.

It wasn’t just that they had different relationships to the building 
financially, it was two different cultures sharing the space. In this instance 
they were not separated by floor. Often they were next door to each other.

There was a post a couple of years ago from someone who lived in a condo who 
had started a cohousing like group within the building. It was self-selection 
and everyone was welcome but it created a lot of tension for the same reasons 
mentioned above. 

Many people who live in condos like the anonymity and lack of potential 
conflict with neighbors.

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


> On May 10, 2016, at 11:46 AM, Sharon Villines <sharon [at] 
> sharonvillines.com> wrote:
> 
> Not existing, but my ideal. A four story building in an Urban environment.
> 
> First floor of commercial shops and a deli
> Second floor of small short-term rentals
> Third, Fourth, and Roof of Cohousing
> 
> The first floor of commercial I think would allow it to be affordable in a 
> city.
> 
> Shorter term rentals are needed in DC where there are many 6 month - 2 year 
> interns and fellows, and congress people who need pied-a-terres. These people 
> could participate in the community and use the facilities (the exercise room, 
> laundry) for a fee in order to have a cooperative community experience.
> 
> Funding? Urban real estate is expensive and would have to be a rehab because 
> there is little open space available. 
> 
> Sharon
> ----
> Sharon Villines
> Takoma Village Cohousing, Washington DC
> http://www.takomavillage.org