If you think you'd like to live at Eastern Village Cohousing, start getting to know us now! We encourage you to develop a thorough understanding of what life would be like here before you make a decision.
Use the information below as a guide to help you explore whether you'd like to join us. Feel free to pursue the activities in whatever order works best for you. A printable version of the Guide for Prospective Residents is also available.
Learn about cohousing so you can understand the elements that are common to most cohousing communities and the benefits of this way of life. Read this article, consider the reasons people choose cohousing, and explore other resources at the Cohousing Association of the United States.
Take a tour of Eastern Village Cohousing so you can see how the community is laid out, note the features of our common house and grounds, and get answers to your initial questions about what it's like to live here. Public tours are offered quarterly and publicized on our website.
Read our governing documents so you are familiar with the declaration, bylaws, and policies we've established for our community. All residents are bound by these, including tenants.
Observe our meetings so you can see our system of governance and decision-making in action. We strive for consensus, listening to and discussing each other's concerns until we find creative solutions to the challenges we face.
Attend social events, such as meals and cookouts, so you can meet your potential neighbors and talk to residents about their experiences living here.
Participate in our work days, if you can, so you can see the various maintenance, cleaning, and gardening tasks we perform throughout the year and experience the satisfaction that comes from working together with friends.
You are invited to participate in our meetings, social events, and work days in order to learn more about us. Please contact us to request a schedule. Be sure to contact us in advance to arrange for a host and access to the common house for any activity you wish to attend.
Think about the questions below as you consider what it would be like to live here day-to-day. When possible, discuss the topics with current residents of Eastern Village Cohousing to broaden and deepen your exploration.
What benefits do you hope to realize by living here?
What are your strengths? In what ways can you imagine contributing to meetings, meals, social events, and the work of the community?
What worries or concerns do you have about living here?
What are your thoughts about the consensus process and our practice of decision-making? Are you able to listen respectfully, state concerns constructively, and collaborate to find solutions?
Do you have concerns about our declaration, bylaws, and policies, especially those related to participation, pets, and rentals?
How would you expect to navigate some of the common tensions of living in community (e.g., parenting and interactions with children, maintaining positive interpersonal relationships and resolving conflicts, balancing other life demands with the responsibilities of participation)?