CAMBRIDGE COHOUSING
175 Richdale Avenue, Cambridge MA
Facilities/Homes
We have 41 units, which consist of large (4-bedroom) and small (3-bedroom) townhouses, apartment-flats of varying sizes with stair-chairs, and a common house with apartments accessible by elevator. We have two affordable housing units for rent managed by the Cambridge Housing Authority, a unit sponsored by the Cambridge Affordable Housing Trust, and one supported independent living unit with an adjacent caregivers unit. Our common house has a library/study, dining room, kitchen, living room, mailroom, recreation room, exercise room, two children’s playrooms, storage and bike rooms. In addition, one need not keep an extra room in their home as we have two guestrooms, which residents can reserve for use by family and friends.
Our community’s outside space boasts a veggie garden, shade garden, grassy shaded knoll for birds and other wildlife, and a front lawn (great for group games) with a play-structure, flower gardens and patio with tables just outside our dining room. We are situated alongside a commuter rail which affords us sweeping views of sky and houses, and due to its limited times and short duration, has not proved to be an issue for any resident to date.
Our Homes
Several architectural features of Cambridge Cohousing promote energy efficiency and sustainability as well as social interaction. They include:
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Varying unit sizes and shapes to accommodate diverse needs
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Underground parking that keeps cars hidden & creates open space
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"The Spine" – a path that runs through the whole community uniting residents
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Accessibility - stair chairs; elevator; ground-level entry
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Common mailroom creates engagement
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Extensive common facilities
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Laundry rooms
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"Nodes" – common areas outdoors that encourage socializing
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Large, energy-efficient windows & sliders bring sun & nature inside
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Many units have balconies or decks