When I lived in a “normal” house total strangers did not call me up and ask to visit. Cohousing is different. This happens all the time at Wolf Creek Lodge, a senior cohousing community in Grass Valley, CA. When we were a brand new community we thought this was kind of fun. We still love to have visitors but decided to include the following thoughts in our recent newsletter.

First of all what category of visitor are you?

You really want to live in cohousing, You have read “The Senior Cohousing Handbook” by Charles Durrett and have studied our website. You believe that Wolf Creek Lodge in the Grass Valley/ Nevada City area may be the right place.You also have the necessary financial resources.

You are enthusiastic about senior cohousing. Your personal circumstances are such that you plan to join a community in a couple of years or so.

You believe that senior cohousing would be great for Mom and/or Dad. You are checking it out for them.

You are a journalist or researcher much aware of the demographic trends. Seniors are becoming an increasing share of the population but society has not adjusted to their living and social needs. There has to be a good story or Ph.D. in there somewhere.

You are planning to form your own cohousing group and need to really understand what works and what does not.

You have been aware of cohousing for sometime. You think it’s a neat concept and would like to learn more. You

If you are really targeting Wolf Creek Lodge (as in 1 above) then contact us and arrange to talk to one of our Marketing Team on the phone. If you are reasonably local we may recommend a first visit to confirm that Wolf Creek Lodge is a good fit and vice versa. You will probably want to return for a common meal and perhaps stay overnight. You may make multiple visits before finally deciding to buy a home. If you are travelling from a distance then we may offer you accommodation in one of our guest rooms. These are available to members’ families, friends, members of other cohousing communities and prospects.

If cohousing is in your future (as in 2 above) then contact us. We will plan a visit that is convenient to both you and us. We aim to build a pipeline of interested people who will be there when homes become available, as they all will eventually.

If you are looking to find a place for Mom and/or Dad tell them what you know about us. Remember they taught you all you know. Have them make the visit.

If you find yourself in categories 4, 5 or 6 then be really friendly and accommodating. Make your visit on an Open House day. We have these every month. Let us know ahead of time so we can have plenty of hosts available. Make a point of showing your appreciation for the time we invest in your endeavor. Remember we have lives to live and mountains still to climb.

Your guidelines

Visiting has been a topic of recent messages on the www.cohousing.org listserv. I hope your visitors enhance your cohousing experience.