2009 Pre-Conference Tours

We hope you will join us on one or more of our four half or full-day tours. In addition to visiting and learning all about nine unique and wonderful Cohousing communities, you will enjoy the spectacular Northwest Washington scenery, including Puget Sound, the Kitsap Peninsula and urban Seattle.

With the guidance of an experienced cohouser, and in the company of other cohousing enthusiasts, the tours are designed to give you the unparalleled experience of visiting a wide variety of urban and rural communities in a short period of time.

During our travel time, your guide will lead a discussion about cohousing, share his or hers experiences and resources, and answer your questions - It really is a traveling workshop and more! The diverse mix of participants on these tours generates dynamic conversations, lots of learning in a fun environment and more often than not, the beginning of many new friendships.

At each stop, our community hosts will lead you on an informative tour of their community. You will learn about each community's history and values, and about the systems which keep everything running smoothly. You will have a chance to take a closer look at building and site design as well as to hear many inspiring stories about living in a cohousing community. You will also receive written materials about each community including a site plan of each.

We look forward to meeting you and together creating a fun, inspiring and unforgettable experience.

"And the contrast between the urban Seattle area and the rural ambiance of Indianola where Wise Acres is located will help visitors understand why so many of us who live here wouldn't live anywhere else. We truly have it all." Songaia cohousing resident.

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Wednesday - 8:00am to 5:00pm (Going North Tour) - $105
We will travel North to visit and learn all about the Bellingham, Songaia and Sharingwood Cohousing communities. The journey to Bellingham includes lake, forest and mountain views. We will enjoy a delicious lunch in Songaia's common house in the company of some of its residents.

Stats:
Bellingham Cohousing: 33 homes on 6 acres, completed in 2000
Songaia: 13 homes on 11 acres, completed in 2000
Sharingwood: 29 homes on 40 acres, completed in 1999

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Thursday Morning - 8:00am - noon (AM Seattle Tour) - $60
Puget Ridge, Duwamish and Jackson Place
Cohousing are located in Seattle itself and will be the focus of this half-day tour.

Stats:
Puget Ridge: 23 homes on 3 acres, completed in 1994
Duwamish: 23 homes on 3 acres, competed in 2000
Jackson Place: 27 homes on 2 acres, completed in 2001

Thursday Afternoon - 1:00pm to 5:00pm (PM Seattle Tour) - $60
Identical to morning tour; see description above.

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Friday - 8:00am to 5:00pm (Peninsula Tour) - $105

We will travel by bus to the Ferry, then across Puget Sound to Bremerton on the Kitsap Peninsula! The ride will give you a chance to see great views of the Seattle skyline, Olympic Mountains and lots more. Once in Bremerton, we will continue our bus journey to Bartimaeus, Wise Acres, and Winslow Cohousing communities. Ferry tickets and a lunch are included.

Stats:
Bartimaeus: 25 homes on 7 acres, completed in 2006
Wise Acres: 9 homes and 17 acres, completed in 1990
Winslow: 30 homes on 6 acres, completed in 1992