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Could a group of us buy and share a large property together?

I just watched an interesting documentary called Minimalism. You can watch it by going to theminimalist.com and clicking on the link at the top. As I am already running a course called 'Make Yourself Happier, I found it interesting, particularly the part where it talks about living smaller. Loneliness is almost an epidemic in our age group, and I wanted to explore people's ideas about how we can live a more social/community based life. It is quite possible I will find myself alone in the future, and I certainly would not want to live an isolated life. Here's one thought to start the discussion. Suppose several of us decided to sell our properties and buy a much larger property together. Could it work?


Created By on 05/03/2017

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Lesley cohousing pioneer
18th Aug 2017 11:30:05
0
Thanks for voting!
Coming to this conversation a bit late, but have you considered cohousing? You can find out about it by Googling the UK Cohousing Network.

In cohousing, everyone has their own home, often smaller than before, and there are communal grounds and other common facilities that are completely run by the people who live there. It's fairly new in the UK but quite common in some other countries such as Denmark and the USA.

As you can tell by my username, that's what I'm doing for my retirement! I'm helping set up a cohousing project in Colchester, Essex, which we're financing from the sale of our existing properties, just as you suggest. We'll decide together what needs doing and we'll therefore set our own service charges. But above all, we plan to have fun together! For me, it's the start of something new, not retiring from life at all!
Earthlady
7th Mar 2017 02:44:42 (Last activity: 14th Mar 2017 10:20:51)
0
Thanks for voting!
Where abouts did you think about buying the property. I am from Australia.
Response from Timothy48 Original Poster made on 10th Mar 2017 10:38:12
For me it would have to be UK, Earthlady as my family is here.
Response from Earthlady made on 14th Mar 2017 10:20:51
ok Tim
Pam1960
8th Mar 2017 11:08:50 (Last activity: 10th Mar 2017 19:23:59)
1
Thanks for voting!
In principle the idea is very good. My father is in his 90s and he always says the loneliness is the worse thing about getting old. I have often said he should rent a room to someone as they would always have company. The main issue I can see with your idea is if you gave a number of persons purchasing a property jointly what would happen when someone dies. Their share would pass on to their next of kin and they wouldn't find it easy to sell that share on. Perhaps it would work if the house was converted into flats but this would mean there were no communal areas. This is something ghag would be of interest to me in perhaps 10 years or so
Response from Timothy48 Original Poster made on 10th Mar 2017 10:44:25
Yes, Carole and Pam there would be practical problems but surely they are more surmountable than loneliness. Not long ago a whole street of old terraced houses was sold in Stoke on trent for peanuts. There must be several ways of accommodating people separately but communally.
Response from Pam1960 made on 10th Mar 2017 19:23:59
What will be the difference with your suggestion from the existing retirement villages. Where I live there are areas for the elderly which consists of one bedroom bungalows. The gardens are communal and there is a community building where various activities take place. These are council owned and available to rent. They are linked to a warden but are basically private residences. There are similar schemes but for ownership rather than rental
CaroleAH
8th Mar 2017 23:54:37
0
Thanks for voting!
I agree, Pam; the idea is good in principle. A bit like students sharing a house but "old fogies" instead. 🙂 I wonder if there would still be the same problems with those who wouldn't keep the communal areas like the kitchen, bathrooms possibly but hopefully all rooms would be en-suite (!) clean and tidy. And, what about the people who raid the fridge and use someone else's milk or eat their Mars bars etc etc. I suppose the easiest way to live in a small community is to buy a flat in an over 60s complex so that you have your own private living space but there are communal lounges, dining-rooms (if you want to share a meal) and laundry rooms. The problem with places like that, apart from the exorbitant price for some of them, is the huge monthly fee because they have a warden. Old age and loneliness seem to go hand in hand and I don't know what the answer is. Having just watched an episode of the BBC's Real Exotic Marigold Hotel I do know that I won't be going to India in search of communal living - mind you, Lionel Blair was looking pretty good for an 88 year old!

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