Cohousing Information Session

Thursday, April 22, 2010

Discover Cohousing the Monterey Cohousing way. Join us for dinner (optional), a tour, and a discussion with a Question & Answer Session with Cohousers. Please call 952-930-7554 at least 3 days in advance to let us know you are coming and to make a dinner reservation. Dinner is $5 per person ($2.50 for kids 12 and under). Times to join us are as follows:

• 6:30 p.m. for Dinner and a Tour
• 7:15 p.m. for the Tour plus a discussion and Q&A session with Cohousers.
• 7:45 p.m. for the Q&A session with Cohousers

Can’t make this session?  the next Info Session is Thursday, July 15, 2010

The Big House and More

The Big House is our Common House, plus it contains 8 households in coop-ownership apartments.  Monterey also includes 7 townhouses (connected by tunnel to the Big House), The Big House is an Edwardian style mansion, built in 1924, and it stands at the center of the community, containing over 6,000 sq feet of common space. Spaces include a Living Room, Library, 2 Guest rooms, 3 season enclosed porch, dining room, newly remodeled kitchen, office (w/fax & copier), playroom, laundry room, workshop, entertainment room, and four fireplaces throughout. Eight  of the community units are located on the upper floors of the Big House.

We have a central courtyard, (between the Big House and the townhouses), a front yard, with driveways and parking bays (incl. garages) on the periphery. The grounds of the 2.5 acre site are beautifully landscaped by our residents. There is even a community vegetable garden space.

The rear of the property adjoins a small park, reachable by a short walk through community owned woods. Read more

Community Events

One recent community event was the making of these celebratory flags. Young and old participated, and, after hanging in the courtyard, the flags were hung indoors in our community.

Other typical social occasions include periodic movies in the library, weekly card games, evenings of singing, and “neighborhood news” gatherings for catching up on each other, and casual co–chats. Once, our local legislator visited for an evening with his band, and played great music for listening and dancing. The music session was followed by a lively discussion of what’s been going on in the legislature. We’ve also hosted other musicians from around the world. July 4th is our traditional time to watch fireworks from the roof, as we are on a high point for miles around. We can see 20–30 displays.

Our Mission

is to live in a way that promotes community. We share facilities, decision-making, responsibility, and work, and thereby know our neighbors. We are dedicated to diversity, acceptance, listening, and conflict resolution, and having fun. We make communication with and participation in the community a priority, while supporting a balance between community and private life.              June, 2008

Our Vision

is that the goals of the individual and the goals of the community are in harmony with each other.  Community involves being kind to each other, having fun together, and supporting each other, while maintaining a good balance between our private and community lives.

We make decisions by consensus and all members participate in decision-making.  We have a do-it-ourselves approach to community upkeep, believing hands-on work together supports community-building and keeps costs down.

We learn and grow from the experience of living together,  committing to clear and open communication and resolution of conflict.  We engage in regular assessment of community well-being.

We are available as a resource for the larger community.

WE PROVIDE private dwelling units and furnished shared common space, following the principles of cohousing.  The varied sizes of our dwelling units promote diversity in family size and income. We self-manage the property in a financially conservative manner.

We preserve ample outdoor space maintained in an environmentally responsible manner.  We share certain durable household goods.  We create a safe environment for children, teens and adults.

WE EXPECT all who live here to value and support community.  This includes active participation by all households in governance, decision-making and community upkeep.  We all agree to abide by community decisions.              June  2008