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Formed: 1992 Established: 1994
Berkeley Cohousing
Berkeley, California,
United States
(West Berkeley)
New duplex (foreground), retrofitted units behind
 Berkeley's first and only cohousing community.
4 Blocks from North Berkeley BART station
On busline to San Francisco, 2 blocks from bus to downtown Oakland, etc
Walking distance to Farmer's Market, Andronico's, library, YMCA, stores, parks, you name it!
Beautiful park-like setting.
 
Contact:
Berkeley Cohousing
Berkeley, California 94702 United States

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Links:
East Bay Cohousing: most recent members came from this group
Former/Other Names: Sacramento Street, East Bay Cohousing
Last Updated:5/19/2008
 
Visitors Accepted
 (by prearrangement and regularly scheduled tours only)
Visitor Process: Contact us well in advance to make arrangements; guestroom available only to people hosted by a member.
Affiliations: East Bay Cohousing

Network Affiliations:
Network Affiliations:
Coho/US
:: Cohousing California, Northern California Cohousing
Population
Adult Members:
24
(plus some regular visitors, extended family)
Child Members:
9
Non-member Residents:
3
(occasional housemate renters choose not to participate)
Open to new adults:
No
(purchase/rental opportunities rare; low turnover)
Open to new children:
No
(purchase/rental opportunities rare; low turnover)
Gender Balance:
35% M 65% F
Ethnic Diversity:
15% identify as 'people of color'
Age Focus:
No Focus
Age Restrictions:
No
Government
Decision Making:
By consensus
(backup voting available in bylaws but almost never necessary)
Identified Leader:
No
Leadership Core Group:
Yes
(Agenda Committee = Meeting planners plus rotating facilitator)
Labor and Money
Financial Style:
Members have independent finances
Open to Members with Pre-existing Debt:
Yes
(if you can afford a unit and get a mortgage and otherwise qualify)
Labor Contribution:
Expected
(Committee work, workdays, plus cooking/cleaning in meal rotation)
Join Fee:
Yes
(purchase of a unit or rental in community)
Regular Fees:
Yes
(200-300/mo. in HOA dues per unit)
Land and Buildings
Urban
(feels spread-out and less urban than it is)
Area:
0.8 acres (0.3 hectares)
("like a summer camp" is the most common comment)
Land Owned By:
The community
(condominium ownership structure; owners own units dfrom wallpaper in)
Number of Residences:
15
(15 units in 10 buildings)
Cohousing:
Yes
(operated as a coop prior to condo conversion (1997))
Food, etc.
Percentage of Food Grown:
1-5%
(community garden supplements common meals)
Share Community Meals:
2-5 times/week
(3x/week. Some participate less.)
Dietary Choice or Restrictions:
Diet is up to each individual
(We try to honor needs of all in shopping/cooking)
Dietary Practice:
Omnivorous
Alcohol Use:
Used occasionally
(some bring wine to meals)
Tobacco Use:
Seldom used
(no smoking in public areas on the property)
Social Factors
Open to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and/or Transgender members:
Yes
Restrictions on Romantic Relationships (between consenting adults):
No
Shared Spiritual Path:
No
Educational Style(s):
Public schooled
:: Private school off the property
Cohousing Details
Cohousing Status:
Completed
Year Completed:
1997
(group lived onsite during construction)
Number of Units:
15
Square Feet in Common House:
2000
(converted 1900-ish farmhouse; units above, adjacent)
Architect:
The Cohousing Co. and earlier individual-structure designers
Developer:
self-developed
Commercial Lender:
Evergreen Bank
 
 
New duplex (foreground), retrofitted units behind
The most-photographed porch in cohousing
Click an image to see it full size.


Become an Editor Current editor(s): ficraines, cohousing, raines
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Comment from Craig Ragland on 7/3/2007 (Reader Rating: 9)
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(10 highest, 1 lowest - one rating per user per comment - new rating replaces old)

I have thoroughly enjoyed the visits I've made to Berkeley Cohousing over the years. Good food, good folks, good fun...

Like many established cohousing communities, they very rarely have turn-over. The limited equity model they adopted keeps their prices below the market values, making it even less likely that people will sell their small homes, so rental opportunities may be available.

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