get to know us |
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We are 29 households and a working farm.
We range in age from toddler to 92 years, with 20 children age under age 18.
We work from home, commute locally and nationally, and enjoy retirement.
We attend public and private schools, and we homeschool.
We own our homes and participate in the life of the larger Peterborough community.
We value sustainability, community, farming, having fun, and living lightly on the earth.
Read about some of our community members below:
Peter and Barbara Jo
Barbara Jo & Peter
Why did you choose to live at NNF?
We were attracted to NNF because we were interested in living in community, and being close to family, the mountains and contra dancing. We had visited several cohousing communities over the past few years in the New England area. We particularly liked the all-ages aspect of Nubanusit, with a balance of families with children as well as retired individuals and couples like ourselves. The younger neighbors add an energy and vitality to the community, and the presence of older neighbors means that there is usually someone around to talk to or to ask for help. Last but not least, we love the town of Peterborough and all the cultural activities it has to offer.
Where did you live prior to NNF?
We moved to NNF from suburban Long Island when Peter retired from full-time employment. We both had lived in student housing coops during our college years and found living in community very rewarding.
What do you value about living at NNF?
We value being a part of a caring community of people who are interested in environmental stewardship and organic farming. Working together on committees and teams to solve problems that arise, and run our neighborhood (such as buildings and grounds, maintenance, farm, finance, common house, and forest & trails, etc.) can be very challenging and time consuming but are rewarding when we come to consensus or agreement. It is like living with a large extended family. We get to know each other’s idiosyncrasies, concerns, and feelings in a deeper way than one would in a typical neighborhood.
We especially enjoy the shared meals, spontaneous picnics by the pond, talent night, maple sugaring, going to local events together and other fun activities that are a regular part of this community. We also value the independent living and privacy that comes with owning our own unit.
We value the nearby hiking and bicycling trails, mountains (Monadnock and Pack Monadnock), nearby contra dancing, and picking blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries. The Peterborough area also offers so much in terms of culture and history, which we will be exploring for years to come. We love having younger children around, and are not ready for a retirement community with only older residents.
What should others considering cohousing be aware of?
It takes a lot of committees and team meetings to make things run smoothly. Decision making process can be very time consuming. Feelings can be hurt over some decisions and efforts to get things done. One’s priorities are not necessarily another’s priorities. One does not automatically become friends with everyone without a concerted effort.
What are common misconceptions about cohousing?
Living in a co-housing community will not solve underlying social or psychological problems an individual may have.
Why did you choose to live at NNF?
We were attracted to NNF because we were interested in living in community, and being close to family, the mountains and contra dancing. We had visited several cohousing communities over the past few years in the New England area. We particularly liked the all-ages aspect of Nubanusit, with a balance of families with children as well as retired individuals and couples like ourselves. The younger neighbors add an energy and vitality to the community, and the presence of older neighbors means that there is usually someone around to talk to or to ask for help. Last but not least, we love the town of Peterborough and all the cultural activities it has to offer.
Where did you live prior to NNF?
We moved to NNF from suburban Long Island when Peter retired from full-time employment. We both had lived in student housing coops during our college years and found living in community very rewarding.
What do you value about living at NNF?
We value being a part of a caring community of people who are interested in environmental stewardship and organic farming. Working together on committees and teams to solve problems that arise, and run our neighborhood (such as buildings and grounds, maintenance, farm, finance, common house, and forest & trails, etc.) can be very challenging and time consuming but are rewarding when we come to consensus or agreement. It is like living with a large extended family. We get to know each other’s idiosyncrasies, concerns, and feelings in a deeper way than one would in a typical neighborhood.
We especially enjoy the shared meals, spontaneous picnics by the pond, talent night, maple sugaring, going to local events together and other fun activities that are a regular part of this community. We also value the independent living and privacy that comes with owning our own unit.
We value the nearby hiking and bicycling trails, mountains (Monadnock and Pack Monadnock), nearby contra dancing, and picking blueberries, blackberries, and raspberries. The Peterborough area also offers so much in terms of culture and history, which we will be exploring for years to come. We love having younger children around, and are not ready for a retirement community with only older residents.
What should others considering cohousing be aware of?
It takes a lot of committees and team meetings to make things run smoothly. Decision making process can be very time consuming. Feelings can be hurt over some decisions and efforts to get things done. One’s priorities are not necessarily another’s priorities. One does not automatically become friends with everyone without a concerted effort.
What are common misconceptions about cohousing?
Living in a co-housing community will not solve underlying social or psychological problems an individual may have.
Richard, Sage, and daughters
Richard, Sage, and family
Why did you choose to live at NNF?
We founded NNF along with another couple, Robin and Shelley, because we had read about cohousing and it just made so much sense. The opportunity to live our values by creating a community to know our neighbors, share resources and lighten our environmental footprint was one we couldn't refuse. When this beautiful land that also had space for a farm became available, we jumped at the chance.
Where did you live prior to NNF?
We were living in a nice neighborhood in Peterborough. We had a mini cohousing of sorts with our wonderful immediate neighbors (we shared a snow blower and helped each other out) so we wanted to expand on that.
What do you value about living at NNF?
We love seeing the kids playing outside making up games, climbing trees, riding bikes etc. We enjoy knowing our neighbors, working on community projects and being available to help others as we are able with life's transitions ebb and flow. At "Nubi" two babies have been born, two adopted and two neighbors died. That is a privilege to be a part of.
We love hiking and skiing the trails on the land while being so close to town. Having the farm on site is critical to us, from a values standpoint and for the delicious produce!
Our two daughters grew up here and that was a tremendous gift. The relationships they have with neighbors has been really special to witness. Now that they are college age, it's fun to hear them explain to others how they grew up.
What should others who may be considering cohousing be aware of? What are common misconceptions about cohousing?
Everyone arrives with expectations, certain skills and certain challenges. The variety adds to the richness. This is not Shangri-La; it takes work. Be willing to be self reflective, hear feedback, be curious to learn more about communication and to take responsibility for your piece whether it's for work share or your part of a conversation that didn't go well. And while you may be drawn here by the beauty of the place, decide to move here for the community aspect of it. JFK's words are helpful: 'ask not what your community can do for you, but what you can do for your community'. Wise words to live by no matter where one lives!
Why did you choose to live at NNF?
We founded NNF along with another couple, Robin and Shelley, because we had read about cohousing and it just made so much sense. The opportunity to live our values by creating a community to know our neighbors, share resources and lighten our environmental footprint was one we couldn't refuse. When this beautiful land that also had space for a farm became available, we jumped at the chance.
Where did you live prior to NNF?
We were living in a nice neighborhood in Peterborough. We had a mini cohousing of sorts with our wonderful immediate neighbors (we shared a snow blower and helped each other out) so we wanted to expand on that.
What do you value about living at NNF?
We love seeing the kids playing outside making up games, climbing trees, riding bikes etc. We enjoy knowing our neighbors, working on community projects and being available to help others as we are able with life's transitions ebb and flow. At "Nubi" two babies have been born, two adopted and two neighbors died. That is a privilege to be a part of.
We love hiking and skiing the trails on the land while being so close to town. Having the farm on site is critical to us, from a values standpoint and for the delicious produce!
Our two daughters grew up here and that was a tremendous gift. The relationships they have with neighbors has been really special to witness. Now that they are college age, it's fun to hear them explain to others how they grew up.
What should others who may be considering cohousing be aware of? What are common misconceptions about cohousing?
Everyone arrives with expectations, certain skills and certain challenges. The variety adds to the richness. This is not Shangri-La; it takes work. Be willing to be self reflective, hear feedback, be curious to learn more about communication and to take responsibility for your piece whether it's for work share or your part of a conversation that didn't go well. And while you may be drawn here by the beauty of the place, decide to move here for the community aspect of it. JFK's words are helpful: 'ask not what your community can do for you, but what you can do for your community'. Wise words to live by no matter where one lives!
Lauren, Andrew, and daugthers
Lauren, Andrew & Family
Why did you choose to live at NNF?
We have two daughters and are excited to be raising them in a land-based community. Our past experience of homesteading with our young children left us feeling isolated and longing for the lifestyle captured by Nubi's very own mission: to work together to nurture and support each other and the land on which we live. We came to Nubi so that our children could grow up on a farm and enjoy lots of unstructured play with mixed ages of children in a walkable community. We are passionate about being involved in the community's farm and enjoy having the opportunity to grow our own food and share the responsibilities of caring for chickens and pastured animals with other households. On the same day we can enjoy a trail run through the woods, work alongside others on the farm, catch up with neighbors, wander down to the Nubanusit river with our little ones, and help prepare a meal in the common house while our children run wild just outside on the lawn. We are excited to learn and practice the skills of cooperation and right livelihood. We also love that we are walkable to the local nature preschool and the vibrant artsy town of Peterborough.
Where did you live prior to NNF?
We have lived all over, but spent the last three years living on a homestead on the Big Island of Hawaii. We loved much about the lifestyle - growing our own food and tending animals, being outdoors with our young children, hosting wwoofers on the farm... but it felt unsustainable to be going at the farming alone, living far from schools, and raising our children so far from grandparents. We thought back fondly to our times wwoofing on farms in nearby Vermont. After a few years of beating back the jungle in Hawaii, we decided there might be a place for winter in our life afterall. We shall see!
What should others who may be considering cohousing be aware of? What are common misconceptions about cohousing?
Cohousing is not utopia, but it seems like a pretty good way to live. Though we are new here, we can see that living here takes a lot of work, and you get out what you put into it. It's possible to live here without engaging much in community life, but we wouldn't recommend it. To us, thriving here means letting go of the nuclear family lifestyle, being involved in community life, and engaging in long-term thinking and commitment to something more than ourselves so that the whole community and the land we live on can flourish. We see NNF as much more than a pretty place to live just outside of town. We are hopeful that it will be a place to work together, raise children together, engage with conflicts, and work towards solutions.
Why did you choose to live at NNF?
We have two daughters and are excited to be raising them in a land-based community. Our past experience of homesteading with our young children left us feeling isolated and longing for the lifestyle captured by Nubi's very own mission: to work together to nurture and support each other and the land on which we live. We came to Nubi so that our children could grow up on a farm and enjoy lots of unstructured play with mixed ages of children in a walkable community. We are passionate about being involved in the community's farm and enjoy having the opportunity to grow our own food and share the responsibilities of caring for chickens and pastured animals with other households. On the same day we can enjoy a trail run through the woods, work alongside others on the farm, catch up with neighbors, wander down to the Nubanusit river with our little ones, and help prepare a meal in the common house while our children run wild just outside on the lawn. We are excited to learn and practice the skills of cooperation and right livelihood. We also love that we are walkable to the local nature preschool and the vibrant artsy town of Peterborough.
Where did you live prior to NNF?
We have lived all over, but spent the last three years living on a homestead on the Big Island of Hawaii. We loved much about the lifestyle - growing our own food and tending animals, being outdoors with our young children, hosting wwoofers on the farm... but it felt unsustainable to be going at the farming alone, living far from schools, and raising our children so far from grandparents. We thought back fondly to our times wwoofing on farms in nearby Vermont. After a few years of beating back the jungle in Hawaii, we decided there might be a place for winter in our life afterall. We shall see!
What should others who may be considering cohousing be aware of? What are common misconceptions about cohousing?
Cohousing is not utopia, but it seems like a pretty good way to live. Though we are new here, we can see that living here takes a lot of work, and you get out what you put into it. It's possible to live here without engaging much in community life, but we wouldn't recommend it. To us, thriving here means letting go of the nuclear family lifestyle, being involved in community life, and engaging in long-term thinking and commitment to something more than ourselves so that the whole community and the land we live on can flourish. We see NNF as much more than a pretty place to live just outside of town. We are hopeful that it will be a place to work together, raise children together, engage with conflicts, and work towards solutions.