Co-Housing in Modern Times
We began our co-housing journey in 2022 when my husband and I were preparing for a two-year volunteer term with Service Adventure through Mennonite Mission Network. As part of the program, we served as leaders for a group of 18- to 20-year-olds volunteering in the Colorado Springs community for a 10-month term. However, before we could begin our service, we had to move out of our apartment and temporarily live with friends—friends we had previously discussed living with long-term before the pandemic changed our plans.
After two years of living with young adults—an experience that was both interesting and challenging—we were eager to transition into our new co-housing lifestyle with our friends. Drawing from our time as Service Adventure leaders, we collectively incorporated some of the practices that helped cultivate a strong sense of community during our service term.
Before moving in, we spent several months renovating the upstairs space in their home, which would soon become our home. You can read more about that renovation journey here. By early July 2024, we had officially moved in!
While our time in Service Adventure was structured, our current co-housing situation is much more fluid. This is largely because we now live with fully functioning adults—rather than 18- to 20-year-olds—who all share decision-making responsibilities. One of the key decisions we made was to have communal meals four nights a week. These meals have been a great way to connect, share food, and strengthen our relationships. The kids have bravely (and sometimes not so bravely) tried new dishes—our discussions about tofu are always entertaining! After dinner, the adults typically linger at the table to talk about life, politics, and house-related matters. Often, at dinner, my husband will bring up an article he read, sparking discussions that sometimes lead to differing opinions. More often than not, our conversations revolve around what’s happening in our lives, the struggles we’re facing, and how we can support each other. These conversations help us assess what’s working, what’s not, and how we can continue improving our shared living experience.
So, how did we decide that co-housing was the right choice for us? My husband and I don’t have children, and while we love each other, living together still felt lonely. Before COVID, I had talked with Sara about co-housing in their 100-year-old farmhouse, but the pandemic put those plans on hold. Then we were shoulder tapped to be Service Adventure Leaders. So while I can’t pinpoint exactly when we decided co-housing was the right move it was in both our heads for a few years before we committed to Service Adventure and making co-housing our new normal. What makes co-housing worthwhile for me is the built-in support and connection. In our old apartment complex, I barely knew my neighbors, and they didn’t know me. Now, we share schedules, carpool kids, look after each other, and care for our animals and plants together. Choosing to live in community means embracing both the joys and challenges, but more than anything, it’s a daily reminder of how much we need each other.
Now that spring is on the way, our conversations have shifted to gardening and building a chicken coop. Currently, the chickens are temporarily housed in the turtle tank—a situation we are actively working to change! Sometimes, one family will take on a project while the other chooses not to participate. Other times, like with the chickens, the responsibility is shared—some belong to one family, some to the other, and we all benefit (as long as we can keep the wild animals out of the coop).
For Lent, or at least for March, the Branham family has decided to follow a rationing diet similar to that of World War II England. This coincides with their homeschool lessons and is a great opportunity to understand how people have had to go with less during specific times in history. This means the meals my husband and I cook on our shared meal nights don’t follow their rationing plan, making them a bit of a treat. In return, we also experience something new by sharing in their rations diet.
While co-housing isn’t for everyone, my husband and I had lived together for 15 years before this experience, during which we had developed our own routines and rhythms. Moving in with others disrupted those routines—sometimes in positive ways, like sharing household chores, and sometimes in other ways, like coordinating the washer and dryer for a household of seven.
Co-housing has been a deeply rewarding experience for us. Living in community means navigating challenges, making compromises, and learning to communicate better—but it also means built-in support, shared responsibilities, and stronger relationships.
What questions do you have about co-housing?
