Cohousing Directory - Community View
San Mateo Ecovillage
San Mateo
, California
, United States
(About 20 miles south of San Francisco)
Website:
Contact:
San Mateo Ecovillage
3329 Los Prados St
San Mateo, California 94403 United States
Address Status:
Good as of 11/8/2008
Email:
ecosanda [at] gmail [dot] com
sanda [at] cohousing [dot] org
We are forming a small urban community facing a lagoon between San Mateo and Foster City, California. We purchased a four-unit building in 1989 and after seven years of waiting, in 2005, we purchased the second building. We have planted fruit trees and extensive organic gardens. We are seeking other "families" to co-own and/or rent in some form of a cooperative—something between intentional community and cohousing, though we identify most with the concept of a mini-ecovillage. We will be using the legal structure called “Tenants in Common.” We have worked to help develop more of a community within the local neighborhood. The location is wonderful: lots of birds, sunrise over the water, nearby biking/walking path, park with playground, tennis/basketball courts, and city amenities of proximity to freeway and public transportation, etc.
Values we would like to see "grow" on this site can be summed up in the concept of sustainable development: growing some of our own food; supporting local organic farmers in farmers' markets or in a community-supported agriculture (CSA); reducing, reusing, recycling; avoiding buying food and other items that contribute to the destruction of local economies and the environment. We want to share time in the garden, meals at the dinner table, and other activities with the people we live with. We seek open communication and a deep expression of feelings. We expect those wishing to join us to have a commitment to these values and goals as well.
Community founders are also very involved in progressive politics, and although not a requirement, would welcome people who share their passion for planetary transformation.
Former/Other Names:
San Mateo Cooperative Community
Network Affiliations:
Fellowship for Intentional Community GEN - Global Ecovillage Network Ecovillage Network of the Americas
Last Updated:
11/8/2008
Visitors Accepted
Visitor Process:
Please send an email.
Cohousing Details
Cohousing Status:
Retrofitting
Area:
0.5 acres (0.2 hectares)
Number of Units:
8
Population
Members:
15 (Now four are co-owners.)
Non-Member Residents:
2
Open to new members:
Yes
Government
Decision Making:
By consensus
Identified Leader:
Yes (My husband and I are founders, but do not necessarily need to remain as leaders.)
Leadership Core Group:
No (We are moving in that direction.)
Labor and Money
Financial Style:
Members have independent finances
Labor Contribution:
Expected (about 12 hours/month in the garden, shared meal and meeting weekly)
Join Fee:
No (rent or mortgage payment in one of the most expensive housing areas in the country)
Regular Fees:
Yes (rent or mortgage share, share gardening expenses)
Land and Buildings
Community:
Suburban
Land Owners:
A subgroup of community members (open to renters becoming co-owners)
No. of Residences:
8 (in two 4 unit buildings)
Food, Etc.
% Food Grown:
6-20% (and increasing)
Shared Meals:
1 time/week (informal sharing at other times)
Dietary Choice or Restrictions:
Diet is up to each individual (common meals are vegetarian)
Dietary Practice:
Primarily vegetarian
Alcohol Use:
Used occasionally
Tobacco Use:
Prohibited
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Current Editor(s): cohousing, sanda
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