Pacific Gardens Cohousing Community

  • Communities

About the Communities

  • Established
  • Home-sharing
  • Urban

Founding year

  • 1999

What we do

Pacific Gardens completed construction in September, 2009.
We have 4.37 acres on the Chase River in Nanaimo, Vancouver Island, British Columbia. With a view of Mount Benson (and sunsets), the property is a delightful piece of country in the city covered with trees, a heritage orchard, seasonal pond and wildflowers.
Our 25-unit building is designed to maximize green space and provide the best opportunities for social interaction. Our common house includes a kitchen, dining room, lounge, office, children’s playroom, craft room, woodworking shop, exercise room and soundproof room for music practice, plus two guest rooms.
Each unit is self-contained with its own kitchen and individually-owned (strata-titled condominium), and includes shared ownership of the land and common amenities. The units range in size from one-bedroom to three-bedroom-and-den.
At the moment we do not have any for sale. However, we may have others available in the future, so please contact us to find out if we have a home that’s right for you.
Pacific Gardens is a haven of serenity in the city. Down by the river in the forest of fir trees, you can imagine yourself far away from civilization; yet we are within a block of the bus and are minutes by car or cycle from downtown and local shopping. An elementary school, a high school, and Vancouver Island University are within walking distance.
Pacific Gardens Cohousing is committed to using non-toxic products, is non-smoking and scent-free, and has been built to high environmental standards.
The community is multigenerational and inclusive of all people who genuinely care about living in harmony with the Earth and each other.

Our Mission

Vision Statement:
We aspire to be a thriving, multigenerational, environmentally conscious community that celebrates connection with each other and personal growth while having fun!
Mission Statement:
At Pacific Gardens we value the energy, wisdom and voices of all members, and practice a shift from “me” to “we”. We share and steward our resources, care for each other, and work to reduce our environmental footprint for the well-being of ourselves, the wider community, and future generations.

  • Purpose
  • Home-sharing
  • Community type
  • Cohousing
  • Activities
  • Farming
  • Experiences

Commemorative dates

  • January 1, 1999
  • Started planning
  • January 1, 2009
  • Started living together
  • 40 Total members
  • Not open to new members
  • Open to visitors
Total
52

How to join

Come on a tour, go to a potluck, attend a community meeting, and participate in a cohousing conversation to learn about what it’s like to live in cohousing and explore mutual expectations.

Basic expectations or agreements for members

Contact us for a tour (donations welcome), stay in one of our guest rooms, or join us at a potluck or one of our many events.

Primary decision-making authority

  • Small Leadership Group

A few people (not elected by the broader community) make the major decisions.

Decision-making process

  • Modified Consensus

Generally seek agreement, but have backup methods when consensus isn’t reached.

Governance structure

  • Collaborative/Horizontal

Power and responsibility are shared relatively equally among members.

Conflict resolution approach

Owners and renters have the same rights and responsibilities.

Economic model

  • Independent Finances

Members maintain separate personal finances with minimal sharing.

Economic scenarios for this community

  • Members need to pay fees, dues, or similar to live there on a per month or per year basis
  • There is a labor obligation
  • Members typically need to have their own job or other personal source of income to cover their expenses while living in the community?

Additional economic information

Regular fees: Yes
Labor: Yes (0 hrs/week)
Members with pre-existing debt: allowed
Members and residents, including renters, are expected to give some form of community contribution, be it serving on a committee, helping in the kitchen, working in the garden, or doing building maintenance.
Monthly strata fees are charged, as our legal structure is that of a condominium or strata.

Shared resources and amenities that are accessible to everyone in the community

Common House, Garden(s), Vehicle Share, Library, Workshop, Outbuilding(s), Large Scale Kitchen, Fire pit, Swingsets & play areas, Gym or sports area, Internet

Frequency of communal meals

  • 2-5 times per week

Significant food acquisition practices

  • Locally sourced

Dietary type

  • Vegan Only

Dietary restriction

  • People can cook and eat what they want in their own residence

Community activities and engagement

  • WWOOF'ing, Guest Farming
  • Festivals, Conferences, Events

Substance use culture

  • Substance use appears in public spaces but no pressure
  • Substance use occurs primarily at celebrations or ceremonies
  • Religions
  • Baha'i Faith
  • Christian
  • Buddhist
  • Wiccan, Paganism, or Earth Religions
  • Unitarian Universalist

Gender composition

  • Roughly balanced (no group over 60%)

Age demographics

  • Family-focused (many children and parents)

Property status

  • Privately owned

Property owner

  • By a single individual, couple, or Family Trust

Setting

  • Urban

Within city limits with access to urban amenities and infrastructure.

Community type

  • Cohousing

    Private homes with shared common facilities, designed for neighborly
    interaction while maintaining independence.

Self-produced energy

  • Over 66%

Energy sources used

  • Hydro

Self-produced food

  • Up to 33%

Local, organic, or fair trade food

  • 33 - 66%

Food systems

  • Community garden
  • Land area size
    4.37 acres

Guest Book

Written reviews are available for plus members. Click here to upgrade.

Location

  • British Columbia, Canada

Pacific Gardens Cohousing Community

Promoted Needs and Offers

Offer
  • Housing For Rent + Shared
9 months ago

Home share available for sister/brother in Christ

I’m excited to be looking for Intentional Christ- based Community. I’d love to share my home with other family in Christ, and possibly share a weekly bible study and/or perhaps evening meals together. I’d enjoy coming up with creative ways to share the gospel and serve others in the local community together if you’re inclined and we each have the time. My 18 year old is out of the house now, but I haven’t yet taken new photos, so although his posters are in these pictures, his things have now been removed from the room with the exception of his bed, which can be switched out for yours if necessary. I’m open to drafting mutually agreeable rules, boundaries, and ways of handling any possible conflicts that may come up so they can be settled in a loving and respectful way as they arise. Some non-negotiable ground rules I have are no smoking, vaping, drinking, or drugs, including Marijuana. I prefer only godly programming and Christ-centered music, as I am very intentional about my spiritual environment. To test the waters, I’d be up for praying over the decision, a bible study over zoom, as well as an in person meal once or twice to get to know each other, with of course a tour of the house. Coming together to share how we feel led to proceed after that seems reasonable. I have a very large smart TV, internet, washer & dryer, large fenced yard with a fire pit, and a shed for storing outdoor items. I am open to drafting a lease for either 6 months or a year. My thoughts were $700/month with trash, water, electric, and internet all inclusive. Happy community hunting, I hope to hear from you soon, and God bless! 💜🌈🥰✝️
Offer
  • Real Estate For Sale
2 months ago

3/2 Townhome in Atlanta-Area Co-Housing Community

https://cfortuin.wixsite.com/1804dancingfox The property currently features 3 bedrooms and 2 baths, open floor plan kitchen/dining room/living room with atrium ceiling, a window-lit bonus area, two rear balconies with great views, and a covered front porch. There is also framed-out, unfinished space that could be converted to expand the unit into a 6 bedroom, 4 bath home with a large attic storage room. The basement floor has a private entrance and is framed out for being a 1 bedroom, 1 bath, “mother-in-law” apartment with a living and dining room . Architectural drawings for this build out have already been prepared. The townhome is in the friendly East Commons Co-Housing Community. Details on our community can be found by searching on East Lake Commons .org Price: $435,000 Please note that I do not wish to sell to brokers or investment firms; I am only interested in selling to people who intend to live in the house and join the community. Interested parties should take a tour of East Lake Commons, should attend a community potluck or event, and read the Community Covenants, Bylaws, and Book of Commons before the property closing. Community participation helps keep our Community vibrant! Without advertising, 10 families are interested in this property. It will move fast. The unfinished square footage may qualify for a FHA mortgage “203K” loan, allowing licensed contractors to finish the framed-out space. Please let me know if you have any questions. For details contact John Fortuin: Email: Rentabrainiac@Yahoo.com Text: 404-438-2389 Thank you!
Offer
  • Real Estate For Sale
2 months ago

2 Units Available in Forest Grove, OR - Where Town Meets Country!

Two Homes Available at Green Grove Cohousing – Forest Grove, OR Discover Green Grove Cohousing, a fun-loving, vibrant, family-friendly community that embraces environmental sustainability, social justice, community service, and the arts in the heart of Forest Grove, home to historic Pacific University. Enjoy the perfect balance of country living just minutes from town. With just nine privately owned homes on five natural acres, Green Grove offers a rare opportunity to live independently while enjoying an intentional, connected community. Shared amenities include a spacious common house with guest accommodations, gathering and entertaining space, play and art areas, a large woodworking shop, ample storage, organic vegetable and flower gardens, fruit trees, a chicken coop, a 30,000-gallon rainwater catchment system for irrigation, 14.7 kW of solar power supporting the common infrastructure, carports with living roofs and EV charging capability, and beautifully maintained grounds with buried utilities and walking paths. Homes are thoughtfully arranged around a shared village green, creating opportunities to connect with neighbors while preserving the privacy of your own home. 3926 Coho Cir | $595,000 3 Bed | 2 Bath | 1,475 SF A bright, detached two-story home featuring a main-level bedroom and full bath, bamboo floors, quartz countertops, high ceilings, abundant natural light, and beautiful Mt. Hood views. Thoughtfully designed for flexible living with modern finishes and energy-efficient comfort. MLS#: 704265931 3934 Coho Cir | $615,000 2 Bed | 1 Bath | 1,400 SF A beautifully designed single-level detached home with vaulted ceilings, stunning Mt. Hood views, radiant heated

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