The Reality
What it takes to build a village
Cohousing is a real undertaking — but it’s built by ordinary, determined people who share a vision.
Why now
Why an intentional community for our golden years?
As we grow older, many of us want to keep our independence and dignity — without placing the burden of our care on our children.
Traditional assisted living often feels impersonal, is prohibitively expensive, and leaves nothing behind once the money is spent. There is a better way.
The case
A community living plan offers
Shared costs, shared support
Living together, we share expenses, utilities, and services — making quality living more affordable for everyone.
Mutual care & companionship
Instead of relying on strangers, we look after one another — friendship, encouragement, and practical help as our needs evolve.
Dignity & ownership
A community plan builds shared ownership — a real asset to pass on, and a lasting symbol of what we build together.
The work
We’ve moved beyond imagining what Raven’s Nest could be. We’ve been doing the research, testing the ideas, exploring properties, and building relationships needed to determine how this vision can become a financially and physically sustainable community.
What we’ve built so far
Defined the vision and community model
Researched cohousing and cooperative approaches
Listened to prospective members and tested the concept
Explored potential properties and housing configurations
Engaged key experts in development, planning & finance
Began developing the financial and capital strategy
What’s happening now
Build relationships with the right development partners
Build the founding community
Assemble the capital stack
Advance property and site feasibility
Determine what has to be true to move forward
Navigate planning, zoning, and permitting
The next step is bringing the right people, resources, and expertise together to turn the vision into a viable community.
What works
Communities that thrive share a few things
A clear, compelling vision
Transparent financial planning
Strong communication
Experienced advisors
A committed core group
Patience and flexibility