Yes, you do have friends

In December, a poll asked our readers to tell us about the number of close friendships they have. It was prompted by a study published last summer found that Americans have one-third fewer close friends and confidants than just 20 years ago – a sign that people may be living lonelier, more isolated lives than in the past.

How do cohousers compare? In our very unscientific probe, those who said they lived in cohousing on average reported they had around eight confidants. Those not in cohousing said they have around six close friends on average. Maybe many of those not yet in cohousing are nonetheless in forming groups that have fostered close friendships. Or perhaps those interested in cohousing are by nature gregarious, friendly types. The bottom line is that people interested in or living in cohousing report three or four times as many close friends as other Americans.