Emerson Commons is a multi-generational cohousing neighborhood in Central Virginia. Our community includes residents at various life stages, from active retirees to young families. The design of the neighborhood, especially the open front porches, encourages spontaneous socializing, making it easy to enjoy time together without having to plan. We embrace a mix of introverts, ambiverts, and extroverts. While there's often someone available to socialize with, it's equally acceptable to enjoy your own space.
Emerson Commons covers 6.1 acres, with about half dedicated to green space. Our common house, a turn-of-the-century farmhouse, offers spaces for cooking, eating common meals, hosting small meetings, playing, socializing, and accommodating overnight stays for members' friends and family. Shared outdoor spaces include a swimming pool, central green, play structures, a fire pit, tool storage, an orchard, raised garden beds, creeks, and wooded trails.
We collaboratively plan and manage community activities, budgets, and shared spaces. Major community decisions are made by consensus, and we are incorporating sociocracy into our structure and decision-making processes. Community work is essential to keeping us connected and maintaining our neighborhood. Adult residents are asked to contribute to the work of one circle, dedicating the time and energy they can, with the understanding this ebbs and flows with life circumstances.
We have 19 attached and detached homes arranged around our pedway. Homes range from 1,400 to 2,700 square feet. Seven empty lots are available for purchase for those interested in building single-family or attached homes. When completed, Emerson Commons will have 26 homes.
Our neighborhood is located on the edge of the growth area in Crozet, Virginia, a small, growing town located near the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Surrounded by natural beauty, the area is home to large parks, a lake and an extensive network of hiking trails. ​Emerson Commons is one mile from downtown Crozet with little shops, cafes and restaurants. A grocery store, the farmers market, and a brewery are also walking distance from the neighborhood. We are in the Albemarle County school district with great public schools, where many of our kids attend.
Emerson Commons is 20 minutes from Charlottesville, home to the University of Virginia and the pedestrian Downtown Mall with dozens of shops, restaurants and galleries. A haven for the arts, Charlottesville features several venues for national music acts, local theater, symphony, orchestra, and several annual festivals. Many residents of Emerson Commons work in Charlottesville or from home, thanks to our fast internet.