Emerson Commons is a multi-generational cohousing neighborhood located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.
The unique culture of cohousing works for introverts and extroverts alike. Learn more about everyday life in the neighborhood.
The unique culture of cohousing works for introverts and extroverts alike. Learn more about everyday life in the neighborhood.
What is Cohousing?
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 hookup.
Emerson Commons is legally organized as a condominium association. Households have independent incomes and private lives, but neighbors collaboratively plan and manage community activities, budgets and shared spaces.
Residents self-select to live in cohousing because they want to live in a place where they know and interact with their neighbors.
Emerson Commons is legally organized as a condominium association. Households have independent incomes and private lives, but neighbors collaboratively plan and manage community activities, budgets and shared spaces.
Residents self-select to live in cohousing because they want to live in a place where they know and interact with their neighbors.
Everyday Life in Our Community
Togetherness. The design of the neighborhood makes spontaneous socializing easy, which is ideal for people who enjoy low-key (always optional) gatherings without having to make plans all the time. This might look like: happy hours, bonfires, swimming, barbecues, porch hangouts, and children playing.
We also organize (again, always optional) social events, like: weekly shared meals, game night, trivia night, outdoor movies, music jams, knitting group, and holiday & seasonal parties.
We also organize (again, always optional) social events, like: weekly shared meals, game night, trivia night, outdoor movies, music jams, knitting group, and holiday & seasonal parties.
Work. Working together keeps our community vibrant and connected, and condo fees lower. Adults are expected to participate by:
Support. Because we know our neighbors, cohousing makes it easier to: form clubs, organize child and elder care, share tools, carpool, get advice, and, of course, ask for a cup of sugar.
Privacy. As much as cohousing is about togetherness, it's also about privacy and boundaries. Many cohousers are introverts, so it's common for residents to seek out the peace of their homes, back yards, a quiet room of the common house, or the wooded trails. In our neighborhood, we consider front porches to be social spaces (neighbors will come say hi), and back yards and decks to be private spaces (neighbors will not approach), making it easier to signal when you're available and when you want to be alone. Homes have private backyards and many have decks with views of the woods and nature.
- Attending monthly business meetings called plenary meetings;
- Doing work for the community by joining at least one circle (committee), and doing the work of that circle. Circle work includes physical tasks like mowing, as well as administrative tasks like bookkeeping. Some prefer working in teams, and some prefer working alone. There's something for everybody.
- Taking part in quarterly workdays, where we work on big projects to improve or maintain the commonly owned structures, landscaping, playgrounds, etc.
Support. Because we know our neighbors, cohousing makes it easier to: form clubs, organize child and elder care, share tools, carpool, get advice, and, of course, ask for a cup of sugar.
Privacy. As much as cohousing is about togetherness, it's also about privacy and boundaries. Many cohousers are introverts, so it's common for residents to seek out the peace of their homes, back yards, a quiet room of the common house, or the wooded trails. In our neighborhood, we consider front porches to be social spaces (neighbors will come say hi), and back yards and decks to be private spaces (neighbors will not approach), making it easier to signal when you're available and when you want to be alone. Homes have private backyards and many have decks with views of the woods and nature.
Features
Our neighborhood 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 is used as a Common House (club house). When complete, the neighborhood will have 26 homes of various sizes.
CommunityOutdoor Spaces
Common House (club house)
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Homes
Environment
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