Fresno Cohousing offers unorthodox living experience

Fresno Cohousing, or La Querencia, is deemed a friendly neighborhood that provides a safe environment and good living by its residents. On the corner of Chestnut and Alluvial, this community holds many friendly people and useful amenities. Because the homes are adorned in red, yellow and blue exteriors, they stand out to others and provide a warm and cheerful environment.

Cohousing is an intentional way of living that focuses on community living and shared resources. It consists of fully-equipped, privately owned homes and the usual amenities, which include a common house and recreation area. Cohousing is a place where people can feel safe and cared about. There are also many social advantages, such as living near friends. Fresno Cohousing is the same as other home developments in shared grounds and common facilities, but it is meant to give a sense of community and safety to the residents.

The house of fifty years that Neil and Beverly Horsely used to live in was in need of repair, and the costed more than they could afford. But when they heard about the possibilities of a co-housing development becoming a reality in Fresno, they decided to look into it. Since the beginning of the establishment, Neil and Bev have lived happily in La Querencia. Neil was one of many people that helped build La Querencia. Neil helped on the building committee and played the role of the electrical contractor.

“We weren’t allowed to do anything on the construction point so it was observation mostly through me and telling them what we wanted them to do different.” Horsley said. “The people did a pretty good job.  But it was more mentally difficult than physically. We decided to build here because it was close to shopping, and availability of the property for the price we wanted.

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Many houses line the sides of the swept sidewalk. The porches are covered with plants, while others are covered in chairs and tables to share meals with on special occasions. At the end of the community, there stands a larger complex building. This building possesses a laundry room, kitchen, dining area, living room, play room and a guest room for those who just want to stay for a day or two. The building is called the ‘Common House’, and it serves as a place where the people in the community get together and prepare meals for each other. Behind the Common House, a well kept garden with plants and vegetables. Beside the building is a pool and a gym for those who like to get exercise in.

What surprises most people about La Querencia is how safe and friendly the community is. Stacie Benedict, a mom of two, is very happy to live in a place where her kids play safely and the sidewalks are covered with people who love and care about her.

“Living with other people in an intentional community does have its ups and downs but our children love having friends that they can play with,” Benedict said. “It’s great knowing that they are in a community where there are other people around that are caring for them and we love that its multi generational and diverse and getting to do life together with other people on a regular bases.”

Living with other people in an intentional community does have its ups and downs but our children love having friends that they can play with. It’s great knowing that they are in a community where there are other people around that are caring for them and we love that its multi generational and diverse and getting to do life together with other people on a regular bases. — Stacie Benedict

Bryan Syverson attends the Unitarian Universalist Church, or the UU, across from La Querencia. He heard about LaQ from some friends at church, but didn’t ever think about living there. Later on, his family felt disconnected and rethought the idea of a cohousing environment. Now, he and his family have lived at La Querencia for over seven years.

“We feel more connected to our community here than we’ve ever felt anywhere else,” Syverson said. “We love how much our neighbors care about us. We appreciate caring for our neighbors and being involved in their lives. We like the fact that we’re using fewer resources but still enjoying a wonderful lifestyle.”

Cohousing reduces energy consumption and creates a healthy safe environment. They reduce energy consumption by using natural light and low water use. Cohousing builds a healthy environment by creating a living space within walking distance to stores, schools, parks, and restaurants. La Querencia is also within walking distance to bicycle paths which reduces the need for cars and increase opportunities to exercise.

Some people love this community because of how safe it is for their kids, or grandkids as Theo White would say. Her daughter Sasha Ebrahaim also lives in the community with her children, Maxwell and Zaccai. White loves the safe environment that her grandchildren can play in and also the way the community saves energy.

“People here really care about the environment” White said, “and they care about using the least amount of Earth’s energy as possible. We have green waste, and we have recycling. Our garbage section is smaller than out recycling and I think that is a reflection of how people feel about the environment. What I also love is that children can go outside and run up and down as we did in old fashion neighborhoods.”

La Querencia……” the deep sense of inner well-being that comes from knowing a particular place on Earth, it’s daily and seasonal patterns, it’s fruits and scents, it’s soil and bird songs. A place where, whenever you return to it, your soul releases an inner sigh of recognition and realization.”  – Unknown