(Editor’s note: Greek Village Cohousing is a non-profit effort. Dispatches receives no remuneration for this post.)
If you’re caught in Europe’s housing crunch, the cohousing movement might be right for you.
We got an email from Evi (Para) Gerou, founder and project lead, outlining how her Greek Village Cohousing movement is coming together near Sparta, about two-and-a-half hours southwest of Athens. And we have to say, we get why the cohousing movement is gaining traction across the globe.
Cohousing is a village model that “fosters more meaningful connections with neighbors,” writes Gerou, a Greek-American attorney specializing in refugee representation. “While we enjoy our private homes and lives, we all share a deep commitment to our community and wish to live more sustainably by sharing resources together in our Common House.”
Greek Village Cohousing has acquired property in the villlage of Potamia about 20 minutes drive from Sparta, with the Taygetos mountains as the view.
“We have begun to excavate the land in preparation for the buildings (see our facebook page for reels or google earth). Most of us are moving to Europe now and renting and helping one another with the transition while we work on the village,” she states.
Cohousing is a great support system for transitioning to Europe and creating the type of environment you want to live in long-term as a permanent resident, according to Gerou. Cohousing projects across the globe have waiting lists, she stated.
Greek Village Cohousing plans to offer a common house, coworking suite, communal kitchen, gardens, sports facilities, a pool and more. This is also next to Peter and Paul’s Wellness and Lifestyle Community. which offers hiking trails and planed spa, restaurants, farm, winery, olive oil mill and a farm school
The overall concept, and her take on it, is so popular that Gerou is consulting with other groups who’ve watched her efforts and want some help starting their own cohousing group.
Greek Village Cohousing both has virtual updates and in-person tours.
The next Greek Cohousing event – a tour – is Friday, 27 September. The tour will be guided by Project Gerou and Developer Stavros Tampaoglou, according to the email we got. There are also online info sessions.
Here’s Gerou’s pitch:
• You are part of a close-knit, supportive, “intentional community” – an extended family by choice. In cohousing, you always feel a sense of belonging and are never isolated. There is always something interesting you can join in – right outside your door.
• We love to cook and eat together many times a week in our Common House, a beautiful space where you connect with neighbors, celebrate milestones together, do yoga, and meet to manage our community together.
• Work just steps from your home in our Common House coworking space, featuring stunning views, a pool, and a workout studio when you are ready for a break!
• Enjoy this more supportive lifestyle for yourself and your children in a breathtaking mountain agrihood, immersed in nature, and yet a short 20-minute drive from a major city and 30 minutes from world class beaches.
This isn’t exactly a new phenomenon. We found posts dating back to 2015 about how “cohousing is sweeping through Europe.” But in 2024’s globally insane housing market, it’s a appealing alternative, with 600-square-foot, 1-bedroom units starting at 183,000 euros.
Yes, Americans, that’s a deal. We have 600-square-foot units in our HQ of Eindhoven, Netherlands, exceeding 500,000 euros … and assuredly do not include views of Greek mountains.
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Read more about Greece here in Dispatches’ archives.
Co-CEO of Dispatches Europe. A former military reporter, I'm a serial expat who has lived in France, Turkey, Germany and the Netherlands.
