Cohousing-L Mailing List: Re: Most popular Common House amenities

[Sharon Villines (sharon]

On Apr 27, 2005, at 5:24 PM, Pacific Gardens Cohousing Community wrote:

> - large kitchen and dining room (what percentage of the residents 
> regularly show up for meals?)

We love having the big dining room for everyone to meet in and for 
other events but we don't have a super active meal program. Holidays, a 
Monday night soup and simple club, BYOD and Pizza on Friday.

> - storage area for tables, decorations, janitor supplies

It seems we never have enough of this.

> - laundry room with room for machines, sink, table to fold clothes

A must. Some do not have machines and others use it for back up. Larger 
machines than we have in our units.

> - exercise room which can accommodate equipment

Ours is used a fair amount -- religiously by some. Occasionally by 
others.

> - children's room

Very important not only for kids during meetings and meals but for 
parents to hang out with their kids when they are bored at home. Also 
used by guests a lot. People have visiting children and with the kids 
room they have a place to play.

> - living room (overlooking our local mountain and gardens)

Very important to many of our people for small meetings and television 
watching. it has doors so is preferred by some to other seating areas 
which are open to the dining room.

> - multipurpose room which can be used for workshops, meetings

We use the dining room for this.

> - office

Yes -- is also  multipurpose storage for keys, files, etc. Have 
computer, printer (networked to units) fax, phone, etc. Very good for 
back up use.

> - bicycle room

Our room holds about 10 bikes and we have 38+ bikes. A big problem.

> - 2 guest rooms, 1 bathroom with shower (not ensuite)

Used most of the time.

> - 1 wheelchair  bathroom near the dining room and 1 other unisex 
> bathroom

Impt
> Do you have enough storage? How did you accommodate large items like 
> skis, kayaks, bicycles, Christmas trees, recreational and camping 
> equipment?

A problem. People are supposed to keep these in their basements (if 
they have them) but the edict to downsize to live in cohousing has not 
taken yet.

You can never have too much storage for things like games, toys, 
outdoor grills for holiday cooking, holiday decorations, etc.

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