Village Hill Cohousing sign on a large rock with trees in background.

Village Hill Cohousing

  • Communities

About the Communities

  • Established
  • Home-sharing
  • Suburban

Founding year

  • 2014

What we do

Village Hill Cohousing (VHC) is an inclusive, multi-generational community with 28 homes located one mile from the vibrant downtown area of Northampton, Massachusetts, next to Smith College, and adjacent to wooded conservation land.
Camaraderie, personal growth, mutual support, shared work and governance, and ecologically sustainable practices – together with personal privacy – are among the major benefits Village Hill Cohousing offers.
For those seeking social interactions, co-housing can offer an antidote to isolation. For those who are more private, our individual units, many with self-contained porches, provide the perfect refuge from the demands of a busy world.
Walking and bike paths, coupled with nearby bus routes, make VHC the perfect location for families and individuals who want to live lightly on the land in a forward-thinking larger community.
About Village Hill Cohousing: The entire infrastructure of the Village Hill Cohousing site is energy-efficient construction, balancing a greatly reduced ecological impact with sustainability and livability.
CORE VALUES
We believe that…
Living in community is a healthy antidote to loneliness and isolation.
Social interactions with neighbors engender understanding, encourage growth, and create greater tolerance and respect for “the other.”
A diverse, multi-generational community is a healthy community.Energy-efficiency, whether it be in our private homes or in common areas, is a win/win for everyone.Green spaces, like our vegetable and flower gardens and our access to trails through the adjacent conservation land, are not only good for the environment, but good for the soul too.
FEATURES OF VHC
Twenty eight stand-alone and/or semi-attached units of varying sizes and prices • A short walk or bike ride to downtown Northampton • Close to restaurants, entertainment, arts, music, education (hub of the “Five-College” area) • Close to bike rail trails, hiking, snowshoe and cross-country ski trails, waterways, and many rich opportunities for outdoor activities • Local bus line stop and rail trail spur are in the neighborhood • Bus and Amtrak service to major cities; 45-minute drive to Bradley International Airport • Centrally located in New England: about 4.0 hours to New York City, less than 2 hours to Boston.
ABOUT NORTHAMPTON
A city of 30,000 people, Northampton is a unique and special blend of urban and rural, historic and contemporary, intellectual, artsy, athletic, and entrepreneurial energy. The Pioneer Valley hosts five colleges and universities.
For more information, visit: http://villagehillcohousing.org http://www.northampton-k12.us http://www.explorenorthampton.com http://www.visitnorthampton.net http://www.northamptonma.gov
If our shared values of compassionate living, sustainability, community and connection resonate with you, we look forward to speaking with you.

Our Mission

VILLAGE HILL COHOUSING is a diverse, multi-generational community that values respect and generosity towards one another and the wider community in which we live. We also have a particular reverence for the land within our six-acre campus and in the beautiful surrounding areas. Members welcome a diversity of cultural and religious backgrounds, ages, ethnicities, sexual orientation, gender expression and socioeconomic status.

  • Purpose
  • Home-sharing
  • Community type
  • Cohousing
  • Activities
  • Property management

Commemorative dates

  • January 1, 2014
  • Started planning
  • January 1, 2019
  • Started living together

Gallery

  • 45 Total members
  • Not open to new members
  • Open to visitors
Total
54

How to join

Living in an intentional community offers great benefits, but also requires serious commitment and a willingness to meet specific expectations around work, governance, and participation. It isn’t necessarily for everyone. To help you figure out if VHC may be a good fit for you, we offer a checklist of actions below you can take to get to know us, as well as areas or issues worth exploring more carefully.
When a home at VHC becomes available, purchasing priority will be given to current members and people in the Interest Pool. To ensure that prospective buyers are both informed and committed, here are the steps you need to become a part of the Interest Pool:
1, Read the Information Packet. 2. Write a Statement of Interest (with separate ones for every adult member of the prospective household). Send the statement to in**@******************ng.org 3. Attend at least one monthly Full Circle meeting. 4. Talk to one member of Outreach and at least five members of the community. After submitting your Statement of Interest we will send you information about members to contact. 5. Indicate your willingness to sign VHC Member Agreement.
To arrange a visit and get the process of joining the Interest Pool underway, please contact ou******@******************ng.org or go to https://www.villagehillcohousing.org/village-hill-cohousing/joining/ for more information.

Basic expectations or agreements for members

Please email us at : in**@******************ng.org

Primary decision-making authority

  • All Community Members Together

The whole membership decides collectively.

Decision-making process

  • Consent-Based (Sociocracy)

Decisions proceed unless someone has a reasoned objection.

Governance structure

  • Sociocratic/Circle-Based

Organized in circles or domains with distributed authority.

Economic model

  • Independent Finances

Members maintain separate personal finances with minimal sharing.

Economic scenarios for this community

  • There is a one-time fee, investment, or share purchase to join the community separate from accessing housing
  • 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

Join fee: Yes
Regular fees: Yes
Labor: Yes
Members with pre-existing debt: allowed
• Required labor contribution: Yes. Adults who are physically able are expected to work 10 hours per month

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

Common House, Garden(s), Large Scale Kitchen, Fire pit, Swingsets & play areas, Gym or sports area

Frequency of communal meals

  • About once a week

Significant food acquisition practices

  • Locally sourced

Dietary restriction

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

Community activities and engagement

  • Neighborhood, Community Housing, or Homeowner's Association

Substance use culture

  • Substance use appears in public spaces but no pressure
  • Substance use is prohibited in the community

Gender composition

  • Roughly balanced (no group over 60%)

Age demographics

  • Family-focused (many children and parents)

Property status

  • Privately owned

Property owner

  • By several individuals through an LLC or a Tenancy In Common agreement

Setting

  • Suburban

Residential areas outside city centers but within metropolitan regions.

Community type

  • Cohousing

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

Self-produced energy

  • 33 - 66%

Energy sources used

  • Photovoltaic Solar

Self-produced food

  • Up to 33%

Local, organic, or fair trade food

  • Over 66%

Food systems

  • Community garden
  • Land area size
    6 acres

Guest Book

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Location

  • Massachusetts, United States

Needs and Offers

Offer
  • Real Estate For Sale
2 months ago

“Lots” of Goodness For Sale!

Are you seeking to live in a sustainable, wellness-oriented community that prioritizes nature and environmental conservation? Living Well Ecovillage offers the perfect opportunity to be part of a vibrant, self-sufficient community committed to holistic health and ecological harmony. Available lots are equipped with city utilities and fiber internet access. Located in a unique mixed-use community with a variety of land uses planned for the future, including small business/commercial spaces, tiny houses, cluster housing, and a 10-acre farm. Currently, there are still 7 lots available. The Ecovillage is home to a diverse range of homes, such as timber frame, Deltec, hempcrete, and Net-Zero energy designs—all built with green building principles in mind. This community prioritizes sustainability and wellness in every aspect of life. About the Living Well Ecovillage Spanning 126 acres, the Living Well Ecovillage is bordered by the Deep River and Sandy Creek, offering stunning natural beauty and a tranquil environment. The Ecovillage includes shared spaces like a community garden, a Greenway/Rail Trail, and a neighborhood park. Over 53 acres of natural land buffer the river and creek, preserving the area’s pristine beauty and offering residents a true connection to nature. Your Dream Home Awaits Find your ideal spot to build your sustainable home, surrounded by trees, rock outcroppings, and abundant wild edible plants. Experience breathtaking views and a peaceful setting, perfect for those seeking a slower, more connected way of life. A Community That Supports Wellness The Living Well Ecovillage is not just about space—it’s about community. With access to the Folk School, residents engage in hands-on learning, sustainable practices, and personal growth, fostering a sense of belonging and purpose. Perfectly Located Just
Need

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A residential project: people live here as their primary home.

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An institution, business, network, or project that isn’t a residence (e.g. a learning center, farm, or network with no one living there full-time).

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