Why They Chose Estoria Cooperatives

Why They Chose Estoria Cooperatives

There isn’t one reason people choose Estoria. For Michael and Beverly, it was about planning ahead after more than four decades of owning and maintaining a home. For Vicki, it started with a postcard and a desire to explore what she wanted from her next home. Their reasons are different, but both stories offer a good look at what can lead someone to consider cooperative living.

Michael and Beverly: Ready for Less Home to Take Care Of 

After 43 years of homeownership, Michael and Beverly knew exactly how much work goes into owning a house. They had spent decades building, improving, repairing and maintaining their home, and eventually began thinking about whether they wanted to keep doing all of it. 

As Michael explained:

“For 43 years we have been in some stage of building, improving, repairing, or maintaining a home… And I’m tired. Much of that work brought satisfaction, but now each project is less and less satisfying.”

Estoria gave them another way to own a home, with fewer of the responsibilities they were ready to leave behind. 

They also liked the flexibility. Traveling or spending time away becomes easier when you’re not thinking about frozen pipes, an overgrown lawn or a driveway that needs to be shoveled. 

The financial side mattered, too. Michael and Beverly compared cooperative ownership with townhomes, condominiums and other options before deciding Estoria made sense for them.

“Estoria gave us the opportunity to create our last home—a place where we can live fully now and into the future.”

Vicki: Taking the Time to Explore What’s Next

Vicki’s introduction to Estoria was much simpler: a postcard arrived in her mailbox.
The idea was a big change from what she knew, so she attended an informational meeting to learn more. As she became more familiar with Estoria and cooperative ownership, she began to see herself there.

“Estoria is offering everything I need at this time of my life… security, one-level living, new friendships, and amenities that feel like a retreat.”

Getting to know some of her future neighbors before moving in has also been part of the experience. Coffee gatherings and member get-togethers have given her a chance to meet some of the people who will be living alongside her. 

“I felt good meeting some of the people who’ve also bought into Estoria Oak Marsh. They were fun to talk with, and I think it’s great getting to meet some of the neighbors before move in.”

Different Reasons. The Same Decision.

Michael and Beverly were ready to spend less time maintaining a house. Vicki was thinking about what she wanted from her next home. All three took the time to explore their options and decide what worked for them. 

That’s one of the reasons cooperative living appeals to people at different points in their planning. It offers homeownership with fewer day-to-day home maintenance responsibilities, along with the financial predictability and community that come with the cooperative model.

If you’re beginning to think about what you want from your next home, an Estoria informational meeting is a good place to start. Visit estorialaketown.com to find an upcoming meeting that works for you.