Was lucky enough to find the coops after 2 years i...

Was lucky enough to find the coops after 2 years in the dorms, and as a student this transition was relief in so many ways. The coops only work because members pool financial resources and do 3-4 hours worth of chores per week. Living with a group of 20+ friends is really awesome, and it improves and challenges you right from the start.

I have had the privilege and opportunity of being elected as a maintenance manager, a chore manager, and a house president while living in one of the larger coops and it has been really great. the centralized staff that helps organize the 16 different houses do a lot of really great stuff and are constantly improving communications and operations. There is a centralized maintenance and contracting process as well - this differs fundamentally from a for-profit rental situation and relieves members of maintenance costs (and all sorts of costs) astronomically.

It's so much more than just community and affordable housing, but if it were only just those two things it'd still be 50x better than living alone, paying hundred$ more per month, as well as having to shop for food!