Finding Our Village: Why We Chose to Build Community at Sunnyside Village Cohousing — Newsletter, February 29 2026
In this blog, we’re excited to share the story of Sunnyside members Matt and Alison, and their journey toward building a meaningful life for themselves and their two young children. From their first glimpse into cohousing, sparked by questions around parenting, housing, and a feeling that something was missing, to the moment Sunnyside found them, their story takes us through one couple's search for meaning for their family. Dive into their process now.
This story originally appeared in the CohoUS Blog
-Norm & Jennie
Finding Our Village
If you had asked us ten years ago whether we’d someday join a forming cohousing community — one that wouldn’t be move-in ready until 2027 — we probably would have laughed.
Life already felt full: careers, kids, logistics, exhaustion. Adding anything else seemed unrealistic.
And yet, here we are, members of Sunnyside Village Cohousing, feeling more grounded, hopeful, and connected than we have in a long time.
This is the story of how we got here, including the excitement, the uncertainty, and the moments that made us say Yes, this is worth it.
First Glimpses of Cohousing
Our first exposure to cohousing came long before kids were even on our radar. In the early 2010s, while living in Madison, Wisconsin, we had friends in a local cohousing community. Alison was leading a storytelling group — think Moth-style story slams — and some gatherings took place in their common house.
That space left a lasting impression.
There were kids playing in corners, people sewing or reading, others sharing coffee or meals. It felt alive in a way that few places do. These folks owned their own homes but layered on top of that was intentional community. People were choosing to be there together.
We remember thinking This is really cool. Then life moved on, and the idea went back on the shelf.
Parenting, Housing, and a Sense That Something Was Missing
Fast-forward several years. We were living in Everett with two young children and starting to think seriously about housing: lenders, pre-approvals, open houses.
It was discouraging.
Interest rates were climbing. The homes we could afford came with compromises — on space, neighborhood feel, and the sense of safety and connection we wanted for our kids. Would this neighborhood work? Would we feel comfortable here in the long term? Would our kids have space to play?
Then, almost by accident, Sunnyside Village came into our lives.
When Sunnyside Found Us
Alison first heard about Sunnyside through a Sierra Club meeting where her workplace, and Sunnyside Village, received awards. Afterward, she chatted with Sunnyside co-founders Jennie and Dean and thought Wait… cohousing? Here?
She texted Matt during the meeting, adding a link.
That small moment changed everything.
Sunnyside was cohousing. We had that memory and experience from years before — people choosing connection — to live in community. And suddenly, a lot of the questions we’d been struggling with around conventional home buying had a different answer.
Why This Felt Right for Our Family
What stood out immediately was the physical design. The homes were family-sized but not oversized, with breathing room between cottages and outdoor spaces where kids could safely burn off energy.
We currently live in an apartment with a concrete porch and a steep hillside — not exactly a place where you can say, “Go play outside.” The idea of our kids stepping out the door to explore and still be close felt huge.
Then there was the land itself: the creek, the woods. Alison grew up exploring forests and trails, and seeing that preserved space at Sunnyside sparked something deep. We want our kids to have that kind of childhood — muddy shoes, imagination, and freedom.
And finally, there was the community: gardens, a workshop, shared meals, and a common house where lives overlap instead of staying siloed.
It wasn’t about perfection. It was about alignment.
From Curious to Committed
We joined Sunnyside in the spring of 2023. From the outside, it probably looked fast. We were “explorers” for only about six weeks before becoming members.
Part of that was practical. We needed a three-bedroom home, and availability was narrowing. But the bigger reason was emotional. Once we spent time with people, it clicked. These were thoughtful, kind humans. People we trusted. People who wanted to show up for each other.
The moment that sealed it for Matt came when we camped on the property with our daughter. She ran through the woods, swung on the tire swing, chatted with people. She was happy and at ease. Watching her, he thought These are good people. This feels right.
The Hard Parts of a Forming Community
We won’t pretend this journey has been easy.
A forming community comes with uncertainty — timelines, construction, decision-making. Add young kids, and it gets harder. Often only one of us can attend meetings. There are moments when we wish we could do more.
Sometimes we think All the promises of cohousing — shared care, ease, support — we could really use those right now.
But the truth is, even before move-in, the values are already there. The intention is there. And that matters.
Looking Ahead
When we imagine our kids growing up at Sunnyside, it’s easy to feel emotional.
We picture them running between homes, gardening, hanging out in the common house — in a place where kids know many adults and adults care about kids.
Our daughter already asks about people she’s met at Sunnyside. She recognizes faces on Zoom. When can she show Dean her train set? When can she go to Linda and Mike’s for a playdate?
We believe there’s real value in kids having trusted adults beyond their parents — people with different skills, perspectives, and ways of explaining the world.
Staying the Course
Parenting can be isolating, especially during COVID, when our first child was born. Building community with intention feels like a response to that isolation. A way of saying We don’t have to do this alone.
Sunnyside isn’t finished yet, but in many ways, it already exists — in the relationships we’re building, the conversations we keep having, and the commitment we see in one another.
We’re excited. We’re impatient. We’re realistic about the challenges. And we’re deeply grateful we found this path.
We’re ready for it to be built.
And when it is, we know it will have been worth the wait.
— Matt & Alison
Closing Thoughts
As we continue building not just homes, but a true sense of belonging, stories like Matt and Alison’s remind us why we’re here: to create a community rooted in connection, care, and shared purpose. Whether you’re just discovering cohousing or already dreaming of your future cottage at Sunnyside, we’re so glad to have you with us on this journey.
Warmly,
Norm and Jennie and all of us at Sunnyside Village Cohousing
Come as a guest, leave as a neighbor
Register for our Thursday Zoom session
and see if Sunnyside feels like home.