BlissfullyUnawareCanadian
Member
- Location
- Kingston, Ontario
does anyone know of communal seniors living in other countries, geared at expats?
that hits home Judy, I have 29 other residents here I could visit with and do once in awhile. There is one, old fellow that my heart really goes out to but he goes on and on as if I'm not even there. I can't stay long when I go over to help with his TV. It's mainly what I am able to do for folks here, help with their internet devices. He has a Roku Box I gave him but of course it's hard for him to figure out. He has learned a lot though. I know he is in his 80s. A saddlemaker, and probably at one time, a real Cowboy. The most beautiful blue eyes and long, very long white hair.@Denise1952, I am the same way. Just don't have the energy to deal with relationships at this point. It can be lonely at times. There's an older lady across the street who says come over when she sees me but she has begun repeating herself. I feel terrible not wanting to deal with that. When I was young it wouldn't have bothered me at all, but now I have kind of gelled and am not willing to put myself out. Disappointed in who I am sometimes.
Most places including apartments and condos do not allow smoking at all...I was thinking co-housing note along the lines of everyone would have their own unit and share a common activities room, similar to condo living but the more I think of it I would prefer if everyone had their own bedroom and attached bathroom, with a shared kitchen and living room and dining room. Everyone would need to pitch in and agree to hire a regular house cleaner and yards maintenance/gardener. That would be ideal for my husband and I as we like to socialize (play cards mostly). The only thing with us is we absolutely hate the smell of cigarettes, to the point I couldn’t live in the same house as anyone who smokes even if they only smoke outside, and I know this can be a delicate issue for some.
It’s more than that for me, like I said I couldn’t live with a smoker, period. Even if they smoke outside or on the other side of town. In a communal living arrangement I can see this becoming an issue of someone tried to hide they smoke, or an ex smoker starts smoking again. I’m sure it can be as equally as annoying for those who smoke, no one wants conflict. I suppose if everyone is open and honest it would allow everyone to refuse to join if it doesn’t work for them.Most places including apartments and condos do not allow smoking at all...
I too checked out cohousing sites, but found very few, and that was back before COVID; I'm sure there are even fewer now. I guess it depends on where you live, too. There is one co-housing site right in my town but the website really stressed a lot of physical stuff, like, "Now everyone will be expected to help in the garden." Ugh, I hate the outdoors; it's close to 100 here about 7 months out of the year! What'd be better for me is a big city kind of co-housing place that the only outdoor thing that was stressed was how close to a bus or subway stop they were, lol.Because of this post I have been checking out cohousing websites. So many great cohousing groups out there! Based on the Danish model for the most part.
Almost all address the privacy issue - you have as much privacy as you want, and as much social interaction as you like.
I am in Canada so I have been looking at some really great Canadian sites, but there are many in the US, UK and other countries.
In our condo association of 72 units, we don't allow smoking indoors in public areas (hallways, garage, storage rooms, laundry room, etc.), but folks are allowed to do what they want inside their own unit. As board president for many years, I had to occasionally deal with neighbor complaints that a neighbor's smoking came though the vent system into the complainer's unit. The solution was ultimately between the neighbors, rather than the board. One solution that apparently worked was for the smoker to not smoke in the kitchen or bathroom where these vents are. Smoking is permitted outdoors.Most places including apartments and condos do not allow smoking at all...
So many young people have the expectation that they deserve to have their own space. Sorry, if you don’t have the funds, it’s what you have to do. It’s what we did.shared living is becoming much more common among younger folks these days due to financial pressures
I think this would be great if you can find a similar minded couple. We too live in a large house that has three apartments in it. We occasionally Airbnb the two apartments but most of the time we use it as our extended living space. If I could find like minded seniors I would consider a similar set up but we still are fairly young and haven’t decided for sure what we want to do when we retire yet. I sure do like to dream though, and I don’t think it hurts to start thinking about retirement early. I was starting to think about it in my 30’s!My husband and I are retired professionals living in a very nice sub-division in central Florida. We are in excellent health but being strategic planners have decided to look into the viability of co-housing as an approach to have an enriching, vibrant senior lifestyle (socializing, ballroom dancing, perhaps even travel). We spent 9 months late last year putting on a 1,500 sf expansion to our house, custom designing it to fit co-housing concept. The house is now 3,000 sf with 4 bedrooms and attached bathrooms, front porch overlooking landscaped lake with fountain and large rear porch. Any retired professional senior or couple genuinely interested to explore co-housing with us and having similar interests (ballroom dancing) is most welcome to get in touch with me to explore possibilities. I would expect that both parties would want to spent time and effort getting to know each other's expectations online as a first step. Looking forward to establish an upgraded "Golden Couples" co-housing setup along the lines of TV's "Golden Girls" sitcom.
A lot don't and thank goodness. I think the whole idea (for me) would be to live less selfishly. I've really been think a lot about this thread. I think motives are important because for example; I want to move in with others because I want to save money. That of course would be a consideration, but if it's just about money, does anyone else see what I am saying? I'd like to share my life with others, but still have my private space. Like the old boarding houses where everyone comes together at a big table for a meal. It seems impossible when I think about all it would take. But mainly, people with the same motives sounds good to me.Most places including apartments and condos do not allow smoking at all...
That sounds wonderful, Marie; I wish I could talk Huzz into something like that, it sounds so nice. If you don't mind, keep us posted on how things are going for you.I am glad this thread was brought back to life. Since I started it last year, my own situation has changed. I am now in a Seniors only (over 62) apartment building. Secure building, in house maintanience etc. It is lower income housing, income based. I also pay electric /heat.
Grocery is nearby. Laundry facilities in the building. Under normal circumstances, there is a community room open for just visiting, and also worship service and some activities. So, we have the convenience of being around peers, and then to back to our own small living space. For me, ideal.
Happy for you marie I'm glad you started the thread too!I am glad this thread was brought back to life. Since I started it last year, my own situation has changed. I am now in a Seniors only (over 62) apartment building. Secure building, in house maintanience etc. It is lower income housing, income based. I also pay electric /heat.
Grocery is nearby. Laundry facilities in the building. Under normal circumstances, there is a community room open for just visiting, and also worship service and some activities. So, we have the convenience of being around peers, and then to back to our own small living space. For me, ideal.