Residents seem very happy to be living here, based on their comments and given that only 10 people have moved out, since 1998, when 90 first moved in.

Construction was done by using modular units, which were stacked up, much like Legos.  The developer has posted a website showing the method, which is fascinating to read    (see link, far down below) .

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FROM:  http://www.cambridgecohousing.org/

Cambridge Cohousing is a community-designed and -developed housing project in Cambridge, MA. We are a group of people of diverse ages, backgrounds, abilities, professions and lifestyles. We are committed to creating a neighborly and cooperative community in which we know and care about one another. Children can play safely, surrounded by neighbors, and residents know that caring friends are close by. We are committed to the vitality, convenience and diversity that is Cambridge. To learn more about our goals, please read our vision statement.

Our dream has become reality on a quiet, tree-shaded 1.5 acre site, a 10 minute walk from Porter Square. The site faces south, and is close to schools, parks, shopping and public transportation.

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If you’re in the Cambridge area, schedule a tour of the property. We also recommend that you become a Friend of Cambridge Cohousing. Membership is free and has several important perks, including priority e-mail notification of unit sales and rentals.

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Recently, two community members, Molly and Dan Lynn Watt, sent out a holiday note that describes their lives at Cambridge Cohousing.

Holiday Season 2008-9

… We have a cozy apartment for solitude, common space for friendship, and life in Cambridge (including teaching, learning, writing, ushering, campaigning, consulting, dancing and singing, etc.) connecting us to the larger society.  …here’s our update on life in “coho.” In a nutshell, it’s good!

In 1996 we joined some pragmatic idealists meeting at Cambridge Friends Meeting to plan a cohousing community—making all decisions by consensus. We were planning a village within Cambridge where we would put as many values as possible into practice.

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Our ages ran the gamut from newborn to 80, one third were single people, one third were groups of two or more (our category), one third were families with young children (27 kids under 15). Individual homes… are different styles and sizes, 1-room efficiencies to 4-bedroom townhouses. … 

We enjoy using the many community spaces: a large living room with fireplace, kitchen and dining room with 2 children’s playrooms adjoining, plus a library, workshop, and rooms for exercise, recreation, laundry, music, bike storage, and 2 guest rooms.

Underground parking, allows … a large “pretty good lawn,” a few smaller lawns, a shade garden, an open area we call “the glade,” several compost piles and a large organic garden.

We have planted many trees, shrubs and flowers and share the usual tasks. Unlike living in a single-family house, we can choose to specialize. Our responsibility— the shade garden, others shoveled the snow! The blessing of interdependence!

We hold an annual meeting to assess how we are doing on our sustainable living vision and how to do better as individuals and as a community. We use ground source heating and cooling … 

Our community has aged, we are almost 11 years older. More of our 83 residents are retired, three founding members died, several youngsters grew up and moved away, six are at college. We now have only 17 residents under 17 years. …Ten of our founding households have moved on, new committed residents have moved in.

We’re eating more locally —from the coho garden, farmers markets, and a weekly box from a community-supported farm in western Massachusetts. We are a drop-off point for 67 farm shares. Three times a week we may sign up for community meals (costs based on the shopping receipts range from $2.50 to $5.00 per person, kids —half price.) … 

Coho supports the wider community and world in other ways. The Fireside Reading series, curated by Molly, is now in its tenth year of readings. We host concerts of classical, folk and doo-wop; fundraisers for social justice organizations; support the Hospitality Program for Children’s Hospital; and we helped get a block party going on Richdale Avenue! … 

 We’ve gotten used to an aesthetic of small, densely organized living spaces. We know all our neighbors, and love participating with them to solve problems and get work done. … 

We are quietly content, wouldn’t want to live any other way, and never expect to move! We will join our community’s Carol sing, Hanukah party, Christmas tree trimming, solstice celebration and New Year’s Eve gathering in front of the fire, happy to be in a community able to enjoy as many celebrations as people will step up to lead! …

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