Pioneer Valley :: Communities Directory

Formed: 1989 Established: 1994

This page last updated:12/3/2012

Pioneer Valley

North Amherst, Massachusetts,

United States

The Pioneer Valley Cohousing set out to create a living environment that encourages a strong sense of community, supports our need for privacy, makes life affordable, and provides a secure and enriched setting for children and adults. We have a place where people know their neighbors in a meaningful way, a neighborhood where different traditions and values are respected, and where we can all have a sense of security and belonging. Even after so many years together, we are still a work in progress, continuing to get better and better at living our values and goals.

Our group purchased a 23-acre meadow site in north Amherst where we built 32 units and a large common house, moving in June - September 1994. We built a clustered mix of single, duplex, and triplex buildings on seven of those acres. The rest is field and woods, surrounded by town lands.

Residents own their own homes, as well as a share of the land and the common house. The common house is a place for community dinners, meetings, entertainment, and other public and private functions. It includes a large kitchen/dining room, children's playroom, guest rooms, laundry facilities, library, sauna, exercise room, and recycling center.

We have optional (but well-attended) dinners two nights a week, gardens, play and work spaces, hiking trails, and other shared amenities chosen by residents have social and economic advantages.

The community is a short walk from a municipal lake; a recreation park with tennis, swimming, and playing fields; a small shopping center; a library; the university; and public transportation.

Website: http://www.cohousing.com/

Contact:

Membership
120 Pulpit Hill Rd #4
Amherst, Massachusetts 01002 United States
Phone: 413 549 1122

Massachusetts United States

View Map of Locations
for this Community

Former/Other Names: Cherry Hill Cohousing

This page last updated:12/3/2012

Visitors Accepted

Visitor Process: People may visit any time, but if you would like a tour, contact John Porcino john.porcino(at)cohousing.com or 413-549-5448. If you are interested in gettting on our waiting list,first email for information on the community, then contact John Porcino for a community tour.

Network Affiliations:

Coho/US

Statement of Housing Non-discrimination:

Our community does not discriminate in regards to housing based on race/color, national origin, religion, sex/gender, family status (i.e. having children, not having children, or being pregnant), disability, marital status, sexual orientation, ancestry, source of income, age, creed, personal appearance, political affiliation, HIV infection, military/veteran status, unfavorable military discharge, gender identity or expression, receiving public assistance, or being the victim of domestic abuse.

Population Members(adults and children): 75 Non-member Residents: 15 (Associate members and renters) Open to new members: Yes	Government Decision Making: By consensus Identified Leader: No Leadership Core Group: No	Labor and Money Financial Style: Members have independent finances Labor Contribution: Expected (Our guidelines ask for 6-8 hours work per month perperson. Reality is that there is a wide variation in work hours and types of jobs.) Join Fee: No Regular Fees: Yes (We are legally a condominium and collect condo fees monthly.)
Land and Buildings Rural Area: 23 acres (9.3 hectares) Land Owned By: The community Number of Residences: 32 Cohousing: Yes	Food, etc. Percentage of Food Grown: 1-5% Share Community Meals: 2-5 times/week (Community Meals are cooked Mondays and Wednesdays) Dietary Choice or Restrictions: Diet is up to each individual Dietary Practice: Omnivorous Alcohol Use: Used occasionally	Social Factors Common Spiritual Practices: No

Cohousing Details

Cohousing Status:

Completed

Year Completed:

1994

Number of Units:

Architect:

Bill Austin and Mary Kraus

Developer:

Integrity Builders

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