This summer I drove from Atlanta, GA to Anacortes, WA, which is to say I moved home. As I crossed the country, I engaged with as much community as I could. I’m sharing that journey here, in seven parts, with gratitude and lessons learned.   Part 1 of 7 The beginning of any journey is the... Read More

In his recent WebChat Alan O’Hashi walked us through the process of telling your community story. He gave advice for how to craft your story, what needs to go in the “elevator speech” and some tips for managing social media. See the full webchat here.

Last week Shelly Parks presented an informative WebChat on hosting great marketing events.  As a key moment when new members are likely to engage with your forming community, it is essential to pay attention to the details and do these events well.  Shelly walks us through the elements of a great marketing event, from venue... Read More

National Cohousing Open House Day is just a few days away. Get a taste of it by joining me in a WebChat this Thursday evening, where we will share some of the most exciting examples of communities hosting, tips on effective hosting, how to visit well, and so much more. If you missed the WebChat,... Read More

63 communities -. These communities opened their doors for National Cohousing Open House Day, Saturday, April 27, 2019. Click on listed address for a map link, but please don’t actually go there without making prior arrangements (don’t make us have to take down this list). Every cohousing neighborhood is independent, and there’s no substitute for... Read More

There’s a funny thing about cohousing. When you look at typical cohousing marketing, you see messages about what it is like to live in community: private homes, shared common space, know your neighbors. But when you ask people why they live in cohousing, the conversation goes someplace else: Cohousing supports democracy, it makes me a... Read More

This fall I got to spend some time with long-term cohousers. I asked them “Why cohousing?” As expected, they told me about neighborly support, caring for the environment, common meals, and all sorts of details of why it’s enjoyable to live in cohousing. What felt more important, though, were all the reasons the world needs... Read More

“I don’t want to be a used car salesman.” This is the response I most often hear when I ask forming cohousing groups to describe their feelings around using sales techniques in their membership recruitment. And I get it. We tend to stereotype sales people as sleazy movie car salesman: they pounce aggressively and they... Read More

Curious about cohousing? Want to see what it’s really like? Compare communities? Get inspired? Now’s your chance. It’s that time again! National Cohousing Open House Day is tomorrow, Sunday, April 29, 2018. We’ve got over 60 cohousing neighborhoods across the country participating this year, plus a few on alternate dates this or next week; one... Read More