Big House In Portland

so last I heard, their really were some people moved to Portland, like, alot of them, so do any of them care to tell us how it is working? how much of the dream stayed alive? how long they are planing on staying there? things they would change?

So, as most of you know there's a 'Big House' in Eugene that Nicole, Joe, Stevie, and a bunch of other unschoolers share. I really dig this idea, and would love to see something like this happen in other towns around the US and Canada.. and hell.. the world.

I personally am planning to move to Portland (Big house or not!). That's hopefully gonna happen this September, if I'm lucky. I love Oregon, but for me at least Eugene is too small town for me to get done what I want to get done. Don't get me wrong, it's an AWESOME place to be, and I dig it way more than any city, but I just wouldn't be able to do all the things I want to do in Eugene.

How many people are interested in moving to Portland? In having a large-ish house there where you could live with a bunch of homeschoolers? Think of the fun! Think of the friends! Think of the rockin' punk and raver scenes! Think of the music! Think of the central location (Eugene and Seattle are NOT far from Portland)! Think of the cheap RENT that would come with living with so many people!

I don't really have any details. In fact I'm not even sure I'd want to head such an operation. I'm just trying to put the idea into other peoples heads and see who's interested. I'd definately be willing to help put this together with someone else or a group of people.. or.. yeah.

Let's talk about it.

Okay, I'm going to write some more since no one else is:

The more I think about it, the more this idea appeals to me. I was thinking about setting up all my musical equipment and such in a apartment, and I was thinking.. what's the point? In an apartment complex I'm so close to other people I'll never be able to use anything other than an accoustic guitar anyways. Having a house would allow for a sort of music studio/room/whatnot... it'd be awesome to get other people who are into music (My mind thinks of Brent and Adam D here) involved.

I'm beginning to realize that not many people are looking to move right now, but what about in summer 2002? I hear a bunch of people are looking to move around then. Could those people make themselves known? Maybe they'd like to be a part of this?

First off, I think it's a great idea. My ideal dream world involves me living on community grounds in the mountains of Italy. It would be roughly (loosly authorative) run by one or two people, but everyone would be involved. Everyone would have a skill, trade, hobby to share with the others. A bit of time is spent helping with something that needs to be done (dishes, cooking, gardening, painting the fence) and the rest wandering around learning from others and whatever the hell you want. So this strikes me.

I don't know how the house in Eugene works. I, myself, live in a 'green building community' (as you know, Zen) called Ledgestone... but it's not much of a community at all. I've visited other places with the same basic outline & have seen it work beautifully. [Our main problem seems to be one difficult-to-handle person running the show]All the people that have lived at Ledgestone have floated in and out. My mom and I are the only ones left. It makes me really sad when I know there's so much I could be gaining from other people in a situation like that- especially at this juncture in my life- but no way to aquire it. So... yeah, I'll talk to you about this more, Zen. But here's some additional ideas. Maybe they are/aren't what you envision?

• a community garden
• in addition to your music studio room, maybe a dark room? A lot of people are interested in photography & it's something I'd like to have access to.
• perhaps time set aside for each person to share a skill/resource/ book they discovered/a good play running downtown/etc. with the others.

~Rhymi~

YES! I posted on the message board a few days ago (below) but maybe ya didn't see... I'm one of those people who is going to move in the summer of 2002, I'm seriously looking at going to either Reed or Lewis & Clark Colleges, which both happen to be in....Portland! I'm also open to other states as well, though mostly on the west coast. I Adore the idear of moving into a 'house w/ unschoolers', not only for practical reasons (lower rent, space etc...), but because it'll help keep me sane in a new city/place. I'd like someplace with a good sized kitchen (i LOVE to cook!) and also people with whome to cook for & with. I like what Rymi said about a community garden, & the dark room. I also really like the music room, all terrif ideas. I also think...

• A reading room, w/ all of our combined books, squishy chairs, big couch, snacks etc...

• Someplace w/ at least a small yard (preferably large though) have some swings!

• close enough to the city, so we could do things w/o it being a hassle, but also far enough away to not be directly in the city. (is that possible?)

anywho, my e-mail is jadzia at nbtsc.org e-mail me or talk to me on IRC 'bout this, because I am totally for it!

~Jadzia

I know that none of the people who live in 'The Big House' in Eugene have much net access, but if one of them could maybe write a bit about how their house hold works, that'd be great...

i'm looking at going to the oregon school of arts and crafts, which just so happens to reside in Portland! but not for another year, most likely... but if this happens, keep me in mind. i'd do anything to live in a big house stuffed with unschoolers and unschooler music and unschooler ideas. and when my plans of college are reality, and not just 'sometime in the future'esque, i will definitly be up to heading a project like this.

RoyaBoya