Q&A: How co-living can help with the resistance?

We asked people how they think co-living communities can help with the resistance movement. Here's what they said.

Current Housemates:

Emerson: We are stronger together because while we can't learn everything we need to survive and provide care to one another, someone else in the group likely has those skills. We can give each other moral support, build one another up when we're tired of the fight. We can prep together. We offer a safe space for people to be themselves which allows them to face their life outside the house with greater strength and confidence. 

Emily: Learning to depend on each other, to co-habitat, to take care of each other is the only way to survive an uncaring capitalist world. Relying on and caring about each other and cohabiting all disrupt the nuclear family model which disrupts said capitalist world - the resistance is found through an earnest love of your fellow people.  

Olivia: Co-living with like-minded individuals really keep you safe from hate. As an activist seeing a loving community of people who watch each others' back we can produce change even if it's only in our community.

Q&A: What's the most challenging thing for you about co-living?

Current Housemates:

Emerson: The most challenging thing for me is managing my expectations of myself and all my housemates (including the toddler ;).

Emily: Remembering that we all operate at different paces, especially at home.

Lindsey: Learning to live with different personalities and shared spaces.

Olivia: The most challenging thing with me when it comes to Co-living would have to be keeping the common areas up to everyone's standards.

Q&A: What's your favorite music?

Current Housemates:

Emerson: I go through phases of listening to things on repeat. Right now I'm lost in new alternative. 90's alternative and Punk always.

Emily: Hard question. My favorite band is a tie between ABBA and Green Day - so I live in that very broad and open spectrum.

Lindsey: 90's alternative, New Wave, Motown.

Olivia: My favorite music right now would have to be the band HAIM, but I like anything else besides Country, it just depends on what mood I'm in

Q&A: What are your top three favorite movies?

Current Housemates:

Emerson:

• Lost in Translation
• Hidden Figures
• Breach

Emily: (in no particular order)

• Princess Bride
• Howl's Moving Castle
• Mamma Mia

Lindsey:

• Fried Green Tomatoes
• The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (series)
• V for Vendetta 

Olivia: 

• Princess and the Frog
• Hairspray
• Mean Girls (of course)

Q&A: What's the most rewarding thing for you about co-living?

Current Housemates:

Emerson: In my experiences both at LRYC and my previous co-living house #616Shebang, I'd say the thing I enjoy the most is sharing responsibilities. Knowing there are humans around to help out with household tasks like taking out the trash, borrowing cars when one is up on a jack in garage, giving a much needed hug, or letting you in when you've locked yourself out. 


Emily: Forming connections and being a part of another person's support network.

Lindsey: I love coming home to the house and the people we share it with. I really enjoy the handful of times we get together and have dinner or spend time together. I really enjoy the times when I randomly get to hang out or chat with someone, even if just in passing. It's nice to know that there's someone usually round when you get home, even at the odd hours I get in at.

Olivia: The most rewarding thing that I get out of Co-living is the camaraderie, the fact that I can come out of my and have movie nights, or Taco Tuesdays.

Q&A: What Makes a House a Home?

We asked all the housemates, what makes a house a home? Here's their responses.


Current Housemates:

Emerson: With starting a commune has come challenges I hoped I wouldn't have to face, but my happy-hippie-rainbow bubble was burst... a few times. I've appreciated the ability having honest, empathetic conversations with folks about issues as they arise while learning about my housemates values, personality and conflict styles. I feel a home needs to have open communication that honors each human for where they are on this journey. I enjoy coming back to a place each night that accepts me for who I am, which I feel I could go on and on about. Things like affirming me, respecting my pronouns, helping me when I'm in over my head, not calling my life a "lifestyle" and enjoying my idiosyncrasies. I love that folks want to hang out with Grey, get to know him, and have conversations with him. I love how everyone greets the animals and talks about them. So succinctly, I'd say it's the interactions with my housemates and the memories we've created that make this feel like home.

Lindsey: "A house is not a home because of the things in it. I feel like it's a place where I can be myself. It's a place that we cook, clean, and work together. Where I can rest my weary head after working all day. It's a place that gives me comfort."

Olivia: To me, the defining factor of what makes a house a home is the community surrounding it, to feel comfortable in a home is the thing I value the most


Past Housemates:
Atash Feeling safe and connected to those you are living with. Feeling empowered.

Ezra: A house becomes a home when it is comfortable, physically and mentally. A home needs to have space for you to move around freely and do whatever it is you need to do to be physically comfortable. More importantly, it’s a place that brings you peace of mind. As someone that is introverted and deals with mental illness, I need a safe space that is totally mine to be able to escape to and decompress in. Moving in and living here has given me a sense of home that has been missing for me for a longer time than I care to admit. I do believe it also takes time for a house to become a home, so the longer I’m here, the more homey it will feel.

Nate: Home is where the heart is some might say, but moving many times throughout my childhood I grew to learn that home isn't one place. For me home is the place that you feel most safe, and open. Home is a place where not only have memories been made but there are more to be made. There will never be one simple, definite answer as to what makes a house a home. The classic combination of love and family contributes to this, but I believe there is a much deeper meaning to the idea of a "home." Houses are made with all the same parts. It's the personal memories and unforgettable stories that make a house a home.

Shauntez: Some say the home is where the heart is. For me, a home is where you can feel comfortable and safe. A home is a place where you can always feel free and be yourself. A house is made a home when surrounded by the right people making the best memories. Family, friends, love, and unforgettable moments are the ingredients needed to make a house, a home.

The next 30 days!

We've still been busy getting things done here at LRYC! It took a minute, but we finally got those upper cabinets hung up in the first floor kitchen and most of the floor done in there too! The Victorian-era knobs and luxury vinyl plank flooring are the only "period" elements I've added back into the house. The other things are functional or fun. Underneath six layers of sub-floor in the kitchen we discovered the original floor which randomly had newspapers circa 1941 (based on the obituary we found. See below for then current prices!

We hung Christmas lights on both side porches, which are just now part of the decoration. Basement got the white lights here and the side entrances got color lights. There are fun colored lanterns hanging on the porch.

Left: Before of the down-stairs main room. Right: The after :) 

Both baths got some much needed additional storage added. Left: Shower caddy for the 1st floor - instructions said no tools required, yet it took me 2hrs, pipe cutter, screwdriver and channel locks to assemble. Right: Two bamboo shelves were placed for storage in the 2nd floor bathroom




The first bedroom to get a new floor was Room #2.  It also got new trim and a fresh paint job. (Somehow we didn't get a picture of that...) The second room was Room #4 (pictured below).

  

Emerson's mom came in for a two-week visit and focused on the 2nd floor which we hadn't gotten to yet. The coats were getting a little out of control. We created a "coat rack." We ended up trying out a few different basket options on the top after this one seemed too tall. Then we moved on to the main room. We assembled an orange sleeper sofa with storage chaise and a table with two hidden leaves.

 




In addition to the fun pictures we've been swapping outlet plugs and light switches (only got electrocuted once), unpacking more boxes (finally), and moved furniture around. It took three of us six hours to clear the driveway after the 11.5" snowfall just before Christmas, so we unanimously voted to get a snow removal company to dig us out for future snowfalls.

It's not all work. Some housemates got to travel too. Emerson went to the Bahamas and Nate went to Arizona. Lindsey and Emerson went to Chicago. We also welcomed in a new housemate, EMU student, Ezra! And of course, Emerson has been doing some typical apocalyptic style cooking to feed the deep freezer.

Other co-living places!

We're not alone in our vision at LRYC! Check out some of these other co-living communities right in Washtenaw County!

• The Cohousing Association
• Great Oak Cohousing
• Sunward Cohousing
• Touchstone Cohousing