Cohousing for Seniors
Own home + shared community.
What is cohousing
- Own private home.
- Shared common spaces.
- Group meals 1-3x/week.
- Garden, workshops, library shared.
- Designed for community.
- Self-governing — residents decide.
Senior-specific cohousing
- Age-restricted communities (55+ or 60+).
- 20-40 households typical.
- Built around aging-in-place.
- Universal design throughout.
- Community supports as needs change.
- Often self-organized.
Cost
- $200K-700K to buy.
- Monthly fees: $300-800 for shared services.
- Equity ownership.
- Some affordable cohousing options.
- Cheaper than assisted living.
- More expensive than 55+ HOA.
Famous senior cohousing
- Silver Sage Village (CO) — pioneer.
- Glacier Circle (CA) — first US senior cohousing.
- Burlington Cohousing East Village (VT).
- Wolf Creek Lodge (CA).
- 200+ in US growing.
- cohousing.org for directory.
vs other options
- vs 55+ community — smaller, more involvement.
- vs assisted living — cheaper, residents independent.
- vs CCRC — community without medical contracts.
- vs ADU — no family next door.
- Each fits different needs.
Try first
Visit communities. Stay overnight if possible. Attend community meeting. See if community feels right. Cohousing requires commitment to consensus + meetings. Not for everyone. For those it fits — best aging experience.