Condo Meets Commune in Portland, Oregon

I'm inspired by those who grow their own vegetables and raise their own chickens but I'm not cut out for farm life. For those like me who might want to stick a toe into the sustainable life without opting for their own farm, a new condo in Northeast Portland, Oregon might be a way to start. The Columbia Ecovillage is part of the Portland Permaculture Institute which offers classes on sustainable living. A former apartment complex is being turned into 37 condos next to a 1912 farmhouse which will be a common building for the condos. This complex will be more of a community, residents will cultivate some of their own food and share some meals in the farmhouse. It will be a co-housing community. The prices are pretty low: studios to three bedrooms, will run $145,500 to $329,500. Reservations will be taken starting in May with move-in scheduled for the end of this year.

Is this part of a trend? Bankrate recently had an interesting piece on the new-found popularity of commune-like situations. As the Baby Boomers age they are looking for a sense of community and communes are one possible answer, offering both shared resources and shared experience.

[via The Oregonian]