| Du•má is a close-knit group of seven to nine people who live together in a beautiful old home on a quiet residential neighborhood in Eugene just south of the University of Oregon.
People of all ages have lived at Duma--from newborn to seniors. During the day people are typically at work or school and in the evening come together to enjoy vegetarian dinners. We share our living expenses (but not our incomes), nurture our relationships with one another, and share the joys and responsibilities of taking care of our large home.
We have a large lot with an impressive garden that includes fruit trees, berry vines, vegetables, flowers, and herbs. We also have solar panels, a sauna, hot tub, beehive, and a chicken coop.
Du•má began as a vision of several people who lived together collectively in the late 1980s. They aspired to buy a home that could be a model of both sustainability and community. The first eight members began living together in 1990. Over the years dozens of people have lived at Du•má–-some for just a few months and others for many years.
One-by-one every room in the house was renovated, windows were replaced, and wood floors were re-finished. The gravel parking lot in back was removed and replaced with fruit trees, a vegetable garden, and a deck.
Visitors often remark that we are neat, well organized, and accountable to one another. They notice the many little touches that make our home beautiful and find that we typically get along very well with each other. Visitors who share dinner with us comment on our scrumptious meals.
While the founders aspired to have everyone become a co-owner, the responsibility and stamina required to hold a collective vision, nurture community, and be a homeowner was more than most people were able to commit to. Over time, members of the core group moved on to other things and by 2009 only one member of the core group remained.
While the collective ownership structure is still in place, Du•má is now a unique collective/private mix. Having one owner makes for clear lines of accountability and less time in meetings, but it also means less group decision-making than in a typical community or cooperative.
Visitors are welcome to stay on a night-by-night basis for up to three nights. Please contact us at least one week in advance to make arrangements. From time to time we're looking for people to live with us, so if this arrangement appeals to you please be in touch. | 
