We are the Kumars, a three-generation family occupying two units here at beautiful Cascadia Commons.  I started out here 10 years ago after a job offer got me to consider life in the rainy Northwest.  I had always wanted to live in cohousing.  The folks at Cascadia were friendly, welcoming, and honest.  I bought a home here the first chance that I could.  Five years later, I adopted my son.  Two years after that, my mother moved in next door.  A short three weeks after that, I adopted my daughter.

Cascadia is a wonderful place to raise a family.  As of 2016, Cascadia now has 6 children under 6 years old.  We have safe, open spaces for kite flying, biking, and chasing butterflies.  The children can learn about gardening, home maintenance, and cooperative teamwork.   We have a lovely playground with a sandbox that was painted by the children. My neighbors have friendly dogs and fuzzy cats, so my children can interact with pets without MY having to take care of one.Our multigenerational community is so important to me.  The children make friends with elderly neighbors as well as kids their own ages.  They have many role models and trusted adults in their lives.  Meanwhile, I get the support of parents who also have young children as well as the perspective of those with grandchildren.

Cohousing is a great model of life for all of us.  The children learn about sharing because we share. They learn about living with a small footprint because we do.  They learn to love the outdoors because we have the freedom to explore.  They learn to communicate respectfully and clearly with others because, well, at least we TRY to!  We cannot even imagine living anywhere else.