Phoenix Commons is a 55+ cohousing community located in Oakland, CA. We are vibrant, active people who live in a closely-knit network of mutual support and common purpose. As residents of Phoenix Commons, we own our homes in a new 41-unit condominium complex situated along the Oakland Estuary, at the base of the Park Street Bridge to Alameda. In addition to individual condominiums, our state-of-the-art building contains over 10,000 square feet of indoor and outdoor community space. Phoenix Commons was the vision of Chris Zimmerman and Lauren Zimmerman Cook, co-founders of Elder Village Development, LLC, the development arm of AEC Living.

Members of Phoenix Commons come from a wide variety of backgrounds and have various reasons for choosing to live here. Living in community with others as we age in place is important to all of us. Many residents are still actively engaged in outside employment opportunities, while others spend hours each week with various civic and recreational activities. Importantly, all residents commit to dedicating time and effort in building and sustaining community through the many opportunities to serve. This includes participating in weekly community dinners and contributing our talents and skills on the many teams—such as the Dining and Finance & Legal Teams—that comprise this self-governing community.

What is a Cohousing Community?

Cohousing is an intentional community of private homes clustered around shared space. Each single family home has traditional amenities, including a private kitchen, while shared spaces include a large kitchen and dining area, laundry and recreational spaces.

Cohousing communities are built around separate homes in proximity, with a common house, or in a single structure with a lot of shared common space to complement individual condominium units. Householders in cohousing have independent lives but neighbors collaboratively plan and manage community activities and shared spaces, typically under the structure of a Homeowners’ Association.

Cohousing groups seek to balance private and community needs while building mutually supportive relationships among their members. Social events, impromptu gatherings, shared meals and scheduled meetings provide ample opportunity for interactions. At Phoenix Commons important community decisions are made using participatory processes that help bring the group toward consensus.

For more information, visit the National Cohousing Association at www.cohousing.org.  Learn more →