I like hearing of other cohousing communities. Especially the ones going well. Today I heard of one that is about eight years old (since move in) and all seniors but the only people that have left have left for natural reasons (death). I”m impressed – that’s the dream most of us want and have been told – that cohousing is great and they have few people leave. That’s the cream of the cream. I’ve heard of other communities with long wait lists and they are grooving. Others are somewhere in the middle. And then there are other cohousing with lots of turmoil, tension, and turnover.
My former community has two thirds finally moving out this summer. The housing market craze is helping push the actual firm dates to turn over the key. (Three families have already left but after August, the rest will go and surprisingly, a new contender to move out). The new ones seemed to really want cohousing and were part of another forming group but chose us. They sound like me – willing to do anything for cohousing. Then, reality struck. It wasn’t worth every sacrifice and now, less than half a year later, gotta move on. And fast (sold their house and want to close within a month – the crazy housing bubble gives them their wish).
The question someone asked me today is why are the other two thirds staying?