Beyond homes, entire neighborhoods going green

[OKIsItJustMe]

http://www.wfaa.com/projectgreen/greenarticles/stories/green080707_ph_greenneighborhoods.31852322.html

Beyond homes, entire neighborhoods going green

July 7, 2008 01:51 PM CDT

By HOLLY RAMER / Associated Press

PETERBOROUGH, N.H. — At a time when the housing market remains in a slump, consumer demand is growing for energy efficient homes that are kinder to the environment. And it's not just individual homes that are going green. Increasingly, it's entire neighborhoods.

With its mix of single-family, duplex and 4-unit buildings, organic farm, shared office space and common house, the Nubanusit Neighborhood here is an earth-friendly cohousing community, where residents own their own homes but share common space.

Lono Hunter, an aspiring architect who spent years studying green building construction and design, moved to the eco-village in April.

"It's a little bit of an experiment," Hunter says. "You can do it yourself — you can add features, you can add insulation — but in terms of actually living in a way that maybe has some potential to help the environment, I think you need the power of numbers."

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[rox63]

1. I was part of a similar project in Berlin, MA for a while

Called Sawyer Hill EcoVillage. Here's their web site: http://www.sawyerhill.org/

I was part of the Mosaic Commons community there. I ended up deciding to go back to school for a career change. So I'm currently not able to afford to buy a new home. But I know they still have some units left, for anyone who wants to check it out. They're great folks, and it's a fantastic project. I just wish I could have remained part of it. They're currently building, and should start moving in this fall.