Today, we have all the tools to be more connected than ever, but often still feel disconnected from the people around us. We do lots of communicating through screens, might not really know our neighbors, and sometimes go days without having a meaningful interaction.
Simply put, people are collectively lonely. In fact, over half of adults in the U.S. say they feel isolated, according to the American Psychological Association.
It doesn’t have to be that way, though. We can build more connection into everyday life, and one way starts with where we live. Let’s unpack this, and talk about how cohousing is a way to combat the loneliness epidemic.
The Loneliness Problem
The loneliness epidemic is a growing topic of conversation, and it raises an interesting question: What role does our living environment play in how connected we feel?
Loneliness can happen in a busy apartment building, a crowded office, or a bustling neighborhood. Busy schedules, remote work, frequent moves, and the design of our neighborhoods can make spontaneous interaction less common.
Building community takes time. Many people need direct opportunities to develop meaningful relationships with those around them.
Start With Where You Live
Cohousing is one approach to creating those connection opportunities.
In a cohousing community, residents have their own private homes while sharing thoughtfully designed spaces and participating in community life. Rather than treating each home as a completely separate part of a development, the neighborhood is designed to encourage moments for interaction.
What does that look like? It could be:
Having coffee with a neighbor before starting your day
Stopping to chat with a neighbor in a shared outdoor space
Enjoying a meal in the community kitchen
Running into someone while using a common area
These interactions don't have to be planned or particularly meaningful in the moment. Over time, small exchanges can help neighbors become familiar with one another and relationships can develop naturally.
Living in a cohousing neighborhood creates more opportunities for connection to grow and help people be part of a community. While cohousing doesn't guarantee that everyone in the community will become close friends, residents typically do develop many strong friendships they can rely on day-to-day.
Community Without Giving Up Privacy
Lots of people hear cohousing and think it means you won’t have your own space or privacy, or that you’re expected to constantly socialize. That’s not the case!
One of the most important things to understand about cohousing is that residents have their own homes, kitchens, living spaces, and routines. Shared spaces offer additional ways to gather, but participation can vary from person to person. And that’s completely okay.
Some days, you might want to join a community meal or spend time chatting with neighbors. Other days, you might prefer a quiet evening at home. Both are part of the balance cohousing aims to offer: independence when you want it, with opportunities for connection nearby.
Building a More Connected Milwaukee Neighborhood
We’re developing River Trail Commons cohousing to offer a balance of private homeownership and shared community life in Riverwest, Milwaukee.
It will include individual homes and a Common House with spaces for gathering, shared meals, activities, and other everyday uses. Its location near Gordon Park and the Milwaukee River also connects the community to the surrounding neighborhood and outdoor spaces.
For people who want to own a home and feel more connected to the place where they live, cohousing offers a different option to explore.
Is cohousing the connection opportunity you’ve been looking for?
Loneliness is a complex problem, but where we live can influence the opportunities we have to connect with others.
Building community can start simple: a shared space, a familiar face. You find natural moments to introduce yourself to those familiar faces and get to know them. And soon enough, you’re friends. You can spontaneously hang out with them, and you don’t feel weird asking them to water your plants or watch your dog when you’re away.
River Trail Commons is creating a new cohousing community in Milwaukee's Riverwest neighborhood, bringing private homes and shared spaces together with the goal of making everyday connection easier.
Curious about cohousing?
Explore how it works, learn about the planned homes and shared spaces, or get in touch with River Trail Commons to learn more about the developing community.
