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:
Sue and horses
Sue
Why did you choose to live at NNF?
I wanted to live in a community, and yet most communities were not set up for me and my horses. NNF seemed like the answer to my vision of living in a place with others and improving my cooperative life skills. I enjoy working together.
Where did you live prior to NNF?
I lived on a 170 acre farm across town in Peterborough.
What do you value about living at NNF?
I love living with people of all ages. I don’t have any hope of having my own grandchildren, but here I can share my love of horses with some of the kids and with others, just be a supportive “grandma’.” As I grow older, I have appreciated having folks my age around to go to events together.
What should others who may be considering cohousing be aware of? What are common misconceptions about cohousing?
As I have watched folks move in, I have noted that one of the most difficult changes to adjust to is losing one’s autonomy. That is, we can no longer just make decisions on our own. There are 60+ other lives to consider. Learning that the best decisions come from hearing all viewpoints, and that no one person, as smart as they are, has all the best answers, is a challenge for most of us. It has been for me. After almost 10 years living here, I have really learned to appreciate a greater breadth of viewpoints.
Why did you choose to live at NNF?
I wanted to live in a community, and yet most communities were not set up for me and my horses. NNF seemed like the answer to my vision of living in a place with others and improving my cooperative life skills. I enjoy working together.
Where did you live prior to NNF?
I lived on a 170 acre farm across town in Peterborough.
What do you value about living at NNF?
I love living with people of all ages. I don’t have any hope of having my own grandchildren, but here I can share my love of horses with some of the kids and with others, just be a supportive “grandma’.” As I grow older, I have appreciated having folks my age around to go to events together.
What should others who may be considering cohousing be aware of? What are common misconceptions about cohousing?
As I have watched folks move in, I have noted that one of the most difficult changes to adjust to is losing one’s autonomy. That is, we can no longer just make decisions on our own. There are 60+ other lives to consider. Learning that the best decisions come from hearing all viewpoints, and that no one person, as smart as they are, has all the best answers, is a challenge for most of us. It has been for me. After almost 10 years living here, I have really learned to appreciate a greater breadth of viewpoints.
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!