What is Cohousing?

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Cohousing is an intentional community of private homes clustered around shared space. Each attached or single family home has traditional amenities, including a full kitchen and washer/dryer. Households have independent incomes and private lives, but neighbors collaboratively plan and manage community activities and shared spaces. Residents self-select to live in cohousing; the community does not evaluate potential new neighbors.

Relationships
  • Neighbors commit to being part of a community for everyone’s mutual benefit.
  • Cohousing cultivates a culture of sharing and connection.
  • Design features and neighborhood size (26 homes) promote frequent interaction and close relationships.
Privacy and Community
  • Cohousing neighborhoods are designed for a balance of privacy as well as community.
  • Residents choose their own level of engagement.
Participation
  • Decision making is participatory and based on consensus.
  • Self-management empowers residents, builds community, and saves money.
Shared Values
  • Cohousing communities support residents in actualizing shared values.
  • Cohousing neighborhoods adopt greener approaches to living.

​Reference: The Cohousing Association of the United States

Our Community Life

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Built-in social events are ideal for people who enjoy low-key gatherings, without having to make plans all the time. Participation is up to you.
  • shared meals twice a week
  • weekly game night
  • outdoor movie nights
  • trivia night @ Starr Hill
  • knitting group
  • Non-violent Communication practice group
  • holiday & seasonal parties
  • other spontaneous events we don't have to plan or travel for: movie nights, happy hour, bonfires, pool parties, barbecues, lots of porch and path hangouts, and children playing.
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Working together keeps our community vibrant and connected (and condo fees low). We participate by:
  • attending business/plenary meetings
  • holding workshare jobs, typically requiring 6 hours/month -- jobs include physical tasks like mowing, as well as administrative tasks like bookkeeping.
  • taking part in workdays; e.g., helping with upkeep of common house, landscaping, playgrounds, etc.

Cohousing makes it easy to:
  • form clubs
  • organize child and elder care
  • share tools
  • carpool

Community Features

Outdoor Spaces
  • central green (playing field)
  • raised beds for organic gardening
  • swimming pool with shaded stone terrace
  • community playgrounds
  • car-free central area where kids can run free
  • two creeks bordering the property
  • wooded trails
  • orchard and planned edible landscaping
  • shared tool shed

Common House (club house)
  • renovated 1890 farmhouse and historic 1840s log cabin with fireplace.
  • two guest rooms that residents may reserve for out-of-town guests
  • meeting rooms, dinning rooms and a full kitchen residents can reserve for events
  • children's playroom

​Location

Green Features

  • energy-efficient appliances
  • low-VOC paint
  • preservation of trees, historic barn, shed and farmhouse
  • clustered homes, with 65% of land kept green
  • no lawn pesticides or chemicals
  • standard solar - Emerson Commons will be the first all-solar community in Virginia
  • heavy-duty insulation
  • shared resources, such as office and lawn equipment
  • reduction of paved areas
  • eco-friendly playground
  • electric vehicle charging stations planned

Crozet, Virginia

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The property is located on the edge of the growth area in Crozet, Virginia. It is 6.1 acres and comes with its own turn-of-the-century farmhouse and pool. The farmhouse has been renovated for use as a Common House (club house), and 26 homes of various sizes are planned. See what's available for sale and rent.

Crozet, Virginia is a small community located near the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Surrounded by natural beauty, it is home to three parks, four lakes and an extensive network of hiking trails. Emerson Commons is just one mile from downtown Crozet with many shops, cafes and restaurants. Forthcoming plans for downtown Crozet include a new town center. Crozet Market, the farmers market and Starr Hill Brewery are also walking distance from the neighborhood.  Emerson Commons is in the Albemarle County school district with nearby, top-notch public schools.

A short drive away is Charlottesville, Virginia, home to Thomas Jefferson’s University of Virginia and the pedestrian Downtown Mall with dozens of shops, restaurants and galleries. A haven for the arts, Charlottesville features several venues for national music acts, local theater, symphony, orchestra and an annual film festival. The area is also home to many wineries, breweries, museums and historic homes. Charlottesville has been voted the “Best Place to Live in America” by several publications, including Cities Ranked and Rated.

What Cohousers Love About Cohousing

Hear from experienced cohousers, young and not-so-young, about their favorite aspects of the cohousing lifestyle. Created by Mia Lazar and Ava Lazar for the 2015 National Cohousing Conference, this video features Shadowlake Village Cohousing in Blacksburg, Virginia.

Emerson Commons Vision and Values

Emerson Commons members crafted vision and values statements which are intended to inform policy development, governance, and the interaction of members with one another and guests.​​

Vision Statement
Emerson Commons is a multigenerational neighborhood in central Virginia in which all residents may grow and flourish in an atmosphere of mutual respect and intentional civility. The community promotes respect for the personal privacy of members, cultivates the free association of members in collaborative projects and encourages the mutual assistance and associations that create community. The community welcomes individuals of diverse ethnic, racial, religious, gender, family and cultural backgrounds to participate in, and become members of Emerson Commons.

Click here for the full Vision and Values Statement.

Animated Video Tour