In an era of downsized expectations, when taking a sober look at their bottom line values & priorities,most people find that family & local community top the list. Real estate trends are for smaller homes, more apartments & attached housing, with rental units, common green spaces & proximity to shops & restaurants. The focus is on creating community, where developers gives social features beyond land, bricks & mortar. For my money though, you'll be closer to actually realizing that goal in a co-housing? community.

Co-housing is lifestyle concept pioneered in the 1970's for people who want to live with minimum environmental impact, & to cultivate deeper connections with people who share their values. Families commit to making the community work as a cohesive social unit, & meeting potential neighbors & friends to understand obligations & shared values is part of deciding if the community & lifestyle is a fit.

As a mid-lifer wanting more from a home, cohousing may fit the bill. There's usually one to a few dozen attached or single-family homes situated along walkways or a courtyard, & a common house as the social center. A common area includes a dining room & kitchen, lounge, recreational facilities, kids space, laundry & workrooms for celebrations, activities, & optional group meals a few times a week. Usually smaller homes with higher upfront costs to meet green standards, the shared costs of common spaces provide savings over time.

The co-housing concept arrived from Denmark in 1991 with the completion of its first multi-generational neighborhood in Davis, CA. Elder Co-housing neighborhoods also exist for older adults searching for ways to enjoy being with others while still living independently. In addition to strengthening resilience, social ties stop isolation as partners pass away, & there's always some one to do repairs, not to mention the cost savings as people contribute skills.

Part of that resilience can be measured by the low foreclosure rates - only one among the thousands of units in the US. If people lose their jobs or can not pay their mortgages, the networks make a difference in helping them find a way to work through it.