Question 1

What is cohousing?

Accepted Answer

Cohousing is a type of intentional neighborhood in which residents actively participate in the design and operation of the community. The physical design encourages social contact while preserving privacy.
Households have independent incomes and private lives, but residents collaboratively plan and manage community activities and shared spaces. Community activities typically feature regularly scheduled shared meals, meetings, and workdays. Residents also gather for parties, games, movies, or other events. Cohousing makes it easy to form clubs, organize child and elder care, and carpool.
Cohousing facilitates interaction among neighbors and thereby provides social, practical, economic, and environmental benefits.

Question 2

Is cohousing growing in our area of North Carolina?

Accepted Answer

Yes, and across the country too. According to the Cohousing Association of the United States, "Around the world when people learn about cohousing, they begin to envision a better life leading to a movement that includes more than 165 communities occupied in the US and about 140 in formation."
Durham is a veritable epicenter for cohousing with at least 11 cohousing groups in the area, listed on our National Cohousing Open House page (updated annually).

One of our founding members, Jim, was featured in a 2018 article about Durham as a national leader in the cohousing movement.

Question 3

How can I learn more about the cohousing concept?

Accepted Answer

Watch: Cohousing: The Future of Community and Human Connection | Trish Becker-Hafnor | TEDxCherryCreekWomen
Read: The Case For Cohousing: Where Responsibilities Are Shared And Life Is A Little Less Lonely | Cognoscenti
Read: about the What and Why of cohousing from the Cohousing Association of the United States

Frequently Asked Questions

What is cohousing?

Is cohousing growing in our area of North Carolina?

How can I learn more about the cohousing concept?