Berkeley Cohousing, on Sacramento Street in the West Berkeley neighborhood (zip code 94702) near Strawberry Creek, was a family farm dating back to near 1900, with a farmer’s daughter’s cottage added. When the Coop Supermarket (formerly Andronico’s) on University Avenue was built in the 1950s, several small houses were moved to the property, and rented out.
Berkeley Cohousing now consists of 15 units (14 plus one “associate member” household nextdoor) — mainly cottages and duplexes — scattered around a green, that also helps filter and buffer runoff from the parking lot on rooftops.
The group has a “limited equity” arrangement with the city that limits price appreciation to area median income growth plus capital improvements, for 30 years from each resale; buyers have to earn less than 120 or 150 percent of area median income. As a result, prices are now around 50 percent below market, and turnover is very low, running about 1 unit resold every 8-10 years; the seller can select the buyer, subject to the above restrictions.
Berkeley Cohousing
Overview
Berkeley Cohousing Location
About Berkeley, California
Berkeley, a city located in the state of California (CA), is home to a population of approximately 121,385 people. Berkeley boasts a median age of 32.5, with around 20.9% of its residents aged 60 or above. 2.3% of the population identifies as US Veterans. 10% of Berkeley residents are disabled. The city has an average household income of $104,716, while the unemployment rate stands at 5.5%, and around 17.7% of the population is considered to be living below the poverty level. In terms of housing, the average home value in Berkeley is $1,286,600, with a monthly rent averaging $2067.
About Cohousing
Cohousing refers to private communities where residents live in clusters of homes or condos close to one another. Cohousing embraces community involvement as a lifestyle. Residents share everything from mealtimes to cleaning and laundry duties and even celebrations and holidays.
Senior cohousing communities are specifically designed to foster strong bonds and a sense of community among residents. These communities provide an opportunity for active seniors to join a close-knit group of individuals who share common interests and values. Living in a senior cohousing community allows you to engage in social interactions with fellow residents, both inside your own private home and within the common areas of the community. The physical layout and design of these communities facilitate easy interaction and encourage neighborly connections.
These communities often offer a range of shared activities and resources, such as craft classes, woodworking workshops, day trips, and extended travel opportunities. The emphasis is on creating an inclusive environment where individuals can bring their own talents, skills, and abilities to contribute to the community.