Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: larger homes

[JoycePlath (JoycePlath]

At Marsh Commons in Arcata Ca. we built our two and three bedroom homes with 
a lower floor level that has a possible separate entrance, a bath and rough 
plumbing for a small kitchen.  Uses for the lower floor have included office, 
studio, rental unit, master bedroom suite, and a teen room. The original 
thinking was that those of us who had kids who were in the process of leaving 
home wanted to have a separate transition space as well as the opportunity to 
rent out a potion of a home to increase the size of our community (only 12 
houses) and get financial help with our mortgages. There has been a fair 
amount of energy on keeping the three largest houses for families with 
children.  That strategy has worked so far.
 When we began folks had a choice between the lower floor and a garage.  Of 
the original group, only one choose a garage. We have a mild climate so 
parking outside is not such a big deal.  
Joyce Plath