A living co-opportunity. Why not try out a pot-luck dinner?
A couple years back I was fortunate enough to cover a story on a living cooperative that had moved into an old mansion at the corner of Elmwood and North (in 2000). I remember walking up to the house wondering who the new inhabitants were... just before I was invited inside where a couple of young people were hanging out. I introduced myself and before long I was learning about what it was like to be a part of a fully functioning cooperative. Even back then I thought to myself that this sort of living arrangement could not be a long-term proposition, but over time I have learned that the Nickel City Housing Cooperative (NCHC) is here to stay, and the people that live there greatly enhance Buffalo's chill lifestyle factor.
Last night was 'Ol Wondermoth's (208 North) weekly potluck dinner which, believe it or not, is open to the public. Just bring a dish and you're welcome to join in on lively conversations with young people from all over the country (if not the world). The group living at NCHC is very eclectic in regards to lifestyle. If you hang around Allentown at all, then chances are you would recognize some of the faces. If you ride a bike or play an instrument, then chances are you would know a few of them by name. There is one thing that all of the ‘co-opers’ have in common, and that is an open mind.
Like any other cooperative living situation, the members share chores that range from cooking to cleaning to repairing the mansion. There is an admission process that includes filling out an application, and the program has been so successful that there is now a second living cooperative (called Plankton) further west at 126 Fargo. Now that the colleges are back in full swing Plankton is 'flyering' Allentown in search of new tenants, so if you're looking for a change of pace and feel that cooperative living suits your needs, then be sure to contact them. 716-882-6003.
As is life, living in a co-op is not free... though the cost is minimal compared to the quality of life that the living situation offers. As Anna Miller wrote in a January post, much of the provided food comes from locally grown food sources, and one of the members even tends a share of land at a nearby garden on Hudson and West. Last evening co-op members had come together to share a meal, tune and play some instruments, and practice devil sticks on the front lawn. Had I not been late to dinner myself I surely would have stuck around to enjoy the atmosphere a while longer.
For further information visit 'Ol Wondermoth and Plankton online here.
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bbvdm
I don't know...but u would think with an arrangement like this, the front lawn and area surrounding the building would look a lot better. There just doesn't seem to be a lot of effort to improve things except for the individual's living conditions inside the building (i.e. saving money). I am glad an extraordinary building is being used and not boarded up, but can there be more done to help an important intersection of the city? If not, what's the point then?
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Quark
I think that it is more important to have a solid community and a functional building on the inside and then you can work your way out. These people have put a tremendous amount of time energy and money into their house. Recently spending about $80,000 to get a new slate roof. I am sure as the coop matures the group will take better care of the outside, but for the time being I think it is important to remember that having a place for young people to stay, that is inexpensive and builds community is very important for our city.
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Andrew
I know someone who lives there and the inside is simply stunning and they really have done a lot of work on the place... rome wasnt bult in a day. great program, keep up the good work!
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Denizen
Awesome stuff these people have done to that old gem. Also, it's kinda ironic how a former totem of wealth has now become a place for communal living.
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flimflamblibberblabber
Its funny some don't like the looks of the front lawn. Both the garden along the road, and the one by the house are carefully tended. They just happen to be using mostly native plants. The is hay on the ground so the garden doesn't have to be watered daily. And the grass... well, look around the city. Its dying everywhere. Why? Its not native to this region. Tending a lawn on one of the busiest intersections in the city would be a full time job if it was to look like the lawns in rural Williamsville. Native plants just don't look as professional as those imported from abroad. And who wants to perform daily maintenance on a garden that fills up with broken glass, used needles, empty soda cups from the bus stop? As a member of the coop, I am please to announce that we are looking for volunteer landscapers to provide the labor and material to reconstruct our lawn. :)
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Sal
I attended a dinner at the co-op a year or two ago and had a great time. Now I know the diffrence between vegan and vegetarian. There's an interesting kitchen in the basement with a countertop made from a bowling alley lane.
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QueenBee
I'm super happy with the work that my housemates do, on the inside and out, of our home. For the most part, we are a group of well-balanced individuals whom aren't super wealthy, are environmentalists by focusing on minimizing waste and whom like to live a simple life guided by principles of caring for the community as well as oneself. With these tenets in mind, concerns such as making our yard all flowery and green by using pesticides and plants imported from distant places is not top on our list. Instead things like rebuilding our soil, fixing the slate roof, composting and recycling our waste, attending housemeetings and giving each other time to work through our differences and understand each other, come first. Ol' Wonder Moth has been a joy for me to live in over the last year, and the new house, Plankton, is developing into a completely unique and wonderful living environment. I hope that many more housing cooperatives with a dedication to urban revitalization, environmentalism, and community sprout up throughout Buffalo and continue to diversify our city.
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