Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: intentional communities and cohousing differences

[MelaSilva (MelaSilva]

> typical cohousing mortgages run $700+
For some of us at Southside Park,  mortgage is under $450 for a large 1
bedroom with a private deck. [ If Southside had been ONLY low income, some of
us would not have been able to get a mortgage at all. Why? Because it took
all of the work and knowledge of our (member) lawyers and bookkeepers and a
WONDERFUL mortage broker (Gilda) to make it possible.] We have several
disabled members, along with 2 members over 70, and enjoy a very diverse
community. Many of us tried other forms of intentional community and chose
cohousing over the other styles. This community is not a 24 hour therapy
session, nor a political action group, nor a spiritual utopia. Many of us
think it is more like a village and feel it is very important to keep a wide
range of income levels instead of having low income ghettos and high income
ghettos like the rest of the nation seems to have.These days, having more
money often means having less time. Folks who are un- or under- employed
often are able to do emergency childcare, gardening, repairs and upkeep, cat
and plant care for out of town folks, and many many other things that are so
hard to do when you are working 9-5.