Planting woolly thyme in the grassy pavers of the drivable emergency access
photo by-?
Life in cohousing gives you many new experiences, some of them challenging - but there are also many benefits.
What does living in cohousing mean, in practical terms? What does it mean at Wasatch Commons?
The layout of the community is designed to foster interaction among residents. The homes are clustered together. Parking is on the perimeter, to allow a pedestrian-friendly walkway between the homes. Porches and common patios encourage people to linger outside. Kitchens are at the front of the homes. Large windows face towards the common house.
Much of community life centers around the common house, where residents pick up mail, do laundry, share weekly meals, and meet monthly to make decisions about community affairs.
Casual encounters on the path or in the common house, meals, formal meetings, and a community listserv keep residents in touch with each other.
Major decisions, particularly on community policies, are made by the community as a whole, using consensus. The combined skills of the community are a great resource, and the consensus process allows all community members to have their voices heard.
Routine decisions are delegated to committees; for instance, the landscape committee would decide whether the lawn needs to be aerated this year. Each adult resident serves on at least one committee.
Members are expected to spend a few hours each week on community work.
Wasatch Commons residents cooperate in many ways outside the formal community management structure.
Celebrating together is an important part of community life.
Residents from different backgrounds share their traditions with others.
Five affordable units built through a federally assisted program broaden the community's income diversity.
v. 2010, reformat 4/10/2018
formatting 5/29/2019