Question 1

How is home-owner structure legally structured in co-housing/eco-village communities?

Accepted Answer

Although a few cohousing communities in the U.S. are organized as limited equity cooperatives, most are structured as condominiums or planned unit developments. In what’s called the “lot development model,” members jointly own the common property and facilities, and are the sole owners of the lot on which they build their own single family house. Sometimes they own just the land directly under their homes (the footprint), or that plus a small back or front “private” yard.

Question 2

What amenities can I expect in my private home? Which ones will be shared?

Accepted Answer

Each home in the community will be built with most typical house features and will include bedrooms, bathrooms, a kitchen, and storage space. The common house will have a large kitchen to accommodate cooking for community dinners as well as a laundry room, guest rooms for visitors and personal guests, a library, an office space with a printer, a crafting room, and community food storage. You’ll be able to use and enjoy the many shared resources at the common house while still maintaining your privacy and personal belongings in your home unit.

Question 3

I work in Reno, will it be hard for me to live outside of town?

Accepted Answer

Many of the current residents at Rosewater Ranch have jobs in Reno, as well as family and friend ties. If you’re considering moving onto the Ranch, it is important to consider the extra time and planning that the 30 minute commute requires. It is also important to note that Rosewater Ranch is only accessible via a dirt road, which does not get plowed during winter months. Having access to a car with four- or all-wheel drive capabilities is highly recommended.

Question 4

I value my own privacy and am an introvert. How will my need for privacy be met living in community?

Accepted Answer

Very few of us feel like socializing all of the time. In cohousing, there’s no expectation to be social at any particular time. Cohousing offers the choice of enjoying the privacy of your own home (and in common areas that aren’t being used by others), or enjoying whatever happens to be going on in the neighborhood. How much you socialize is up to you. Many cohousers in other places create their own signs or symbols to let their neighbors know if they would prefer not to talk at the moment. Of course, those of us who choose to live here do so because in general, we enjoy getting to know one another. Cohousing is actually very popular with introverts, because there’s no “work” required to socialize; it’s “built in” and happens naturally.

Frequently Asked Questions