Why Cohousing Isn’t Just Another HOA
When people first hear about Burns Village & Farm, they often ask, “Is this like a condo with an HOA?” It’s a fair question, and one we hear regularly during virtual info sessions and site visits. On the surface, cohousing might sound similar to a condominium setup: private homes, shared spaces, and a group of residents managing things together. But the similarities end there
What You Get in a Condominium HOA
In a typical condo, you own your individual unit, and everyone shares ownership of things like the lobby, pool, or elevator. A board of directors, usually a small group of elected residents, makes most decisions about maintenance, budgets, and community rules. Meetings might be held, but the board holds the final say.
Social interaction? It depends. Some buildings feel like a vertical village; others are more “pass by in the hallway” living. Community isn’t built into the structure, it just happens if you're lucky or very extroverted.
What You’ll Experience in Cohousing
Cohousing flips that script. Yes, you own your own home, but the design and governance are entirely different, by choice.
At Burns Village & Farm, homes will be clustered around shared green spaces to make casual connections a part of everyday life. And then there’s the heart of it all: the Common House. This is where neighbors cook and share meals, host movie nights, plan projects, and unwind together. It's not an amenity, it’s the pulse of the community.
Decision-making isn’t delegated to a board. It’s done together, by consensus. Everyone’s voice matters, and responsibilities are shared. It’s more participatory, more transparent, and more connected.
