Cohousing-L Mailing List: RE: Problem: cost not desire for coho

[Rob Sandelin (robsan]

Judith Wisdom Wrote about her situation and came to the conclusion that 
what she needs is cohousing.  I read what she wrote and came to a 
different conclusion.

Judith, what I hear you saying is what you want is community, but you 
can't afford cohousing community.  There are hundreds of other 
communities besides cohousing around, many offering great advantages 
for low or non-income folks, and many providing much more community and 
support than cohousing offers.

Check out the 1995 Communities Directory at your local bookstore.  
Beside listing cohousing groups there are so many more options 
available.  I also suggest the book, Building community anywhere, 
finding support in a fragmented world. by Shaffer and Annundsen.   Lots 
of people are creating "virtual" communities by hosting events and 
gatherings of people who share the same desire, to relate to people on 
a more deeper level.  Hold a communities interest potluck at a local 
community center or church and put fliers up at the organic food places 
or health food stores. It will take 2 hours of your time to do this, 
and I would bet you will get a good turn out, especially if the flier 
is worded to attract those who are interested in community.

Cohousing is NOT the only form of community.  You can create a 
community around you, still live where you do, and gain much benefit 
from expanding your associations.  There is a thriving communities 
support group in Seattle, which was started by a single woman who 
wanted to contact others who were interested in getting together and 
simply talking about community.  It has now broken into 4 subgroups, 
because it got so large they couldn't hold a potluck in anyones house.

Rob Sandelin
Northwest Intentional Communities Association