Upper Langley

Langley, Washington, United States

  • Updated on: Jan 4, 2025 (about 3 months ago)
  • Created on: Nov 20, 2014 (over 10 years ago)
Upper Langley

Mission Statement

Upper Langley is an intentional neighborhood that celebrates community, nature, ecological sustainability, and simplicity while providing perpetually affordable housing in the city limits of Langley, Washington. In the spirit of service, we benefit in the sharing of ideas, time, skills, tools, and responsibilities. We enjoy communal time while respecting individual and family needs. We honor our connection to the earth, to our neighbors both on the shared land as well as our wonderful town of Langley, and the world community.

Community Description

16 families have joined to share and care for 10 acres of forest and meadow at the edge of Langley town on South Whidbey Island, walkable to Salish Sea shore (Puget Sound) and one hour north of downtown Seattle including fifteen minute ferry ride. Each family income qualifies at medium or low income level to own a 2000 sq. ft. lot (plus their equal share of the remaining 10 acres) on which to design/build their own home, under 975 sq.ft. There are 15 homes built and inhabited and 1 more home in building phase. Homes and lots will remain perpetually affordable. In addition there is a shared common house and guest cabin which can be booked for short length overnight guests.

  • Status: Established (4+ adults, 2+ years)
  • Started Planning: 2010
  • Started Living Together: 2016
  • Visitors Accepted: Yes
  • Open to New Members: Not currently, but there is a list or possibly in the future
  • Please read the details in Membership below before contacting this community.Send Message
  • Website: http://upperlangley.wordpress.com
  • Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/upperlangley/?fref=ts
  • Contact Name: upperlangley
  • Phone: 480 287 1126
  • Community Address:
    11124 Al Anderson Avenue
    Langley, Washington 98260
    United States

  • Location

    Directory Map Placeholder

About

  • Type(s):
    • Ecovillage (organized around ecology and sustainability)
    • Cohousing (individual homes within group property)
  • Programs & Activities: Neighborhood, Community Housing, or Homeowner's Association
  • Location: Small Town or Village

Housing

  • Status: We have land we have developed on
  • Area: 10 acres
  • Current Residence Types: Lots to build on
  • Current Number of Residences: 15
  • Planned Number of Residences: 16
  • Planned Residence Types: Single-family homes
  • Housing Provided: Purchase
  • Land Owned By: The entire community membership
  • Additional Comments: Over 1/3 of land in mature second/growth forest and beautiful meadow

Membership

  • Adult Members: 20
  • Child Members: 2
  • Non-Member Residents: 0
  • Percent Women: 61-70%
  • Percent Men: 21-30%
  • Percent Transgender: 0%
  • Percent Non-Binary: 0%
  • Visitors Accepted: Yes
  • Visitor Process: Make arrangements through email: upperlangleycohousing@gmail.com
  • Open to New Members: Not currently, but there is a list or possibly in the future
  • Membership Process: Read website thoroughly: upperlangley.wordpress.com Call or email to initiate contact

Government

  • Decision Making: Consensus + (everyone agrees, except for up to 3 people.)
  • Identified Leader: No
  • Leadership Core Group: Yes
  • Additional Comments: Community government is a Home Owners Association. Modified consensus is used for decision making.

Economics

  • Dues, Fees, or Shared Expenses: Yes
  • Monthly Fees($): 80
  • Shared Income: None
  • Open to Members with Existing Debt: Yes (some debt)
  • Additional Comments: Monthly "dues" are currently $80, for development and maintenance of shared land (forest and garden) and building maintenance, improvements and utilities (Common house, various out buildings).

Sustainability Practices

  • Energy Infrastructure: We use both systems.
  • Current Renewable Energy Generation: Up to 25%
  • Energy Sources: Solar
  • Planned Renewable Energy Generation: 26-49%
  • Current Food Produced: Up to 25%
  • Planned Food Produced: Up to 25%
  • Food Produced Locally: Between 26-49%

Lifestyle

  • Common Facilities:
    • Common House
    • Garden(s)
    • Greenhouse(s)
    • Library
    • Outbuilding(s)
    • Large Scale Kitchen
    • Fire pit
  • Internet Available: Yes, both the community and individuals provide it
  • Internet Fast?: Yes, it's fine.
  • Cellphone Service: Good for most people.
  • Shared Meals: 1-3 times per month
  • Dietary Practices:
    • Omnivorous (plants and animals)
    • Paleo (no grains, dairy, processed foods, or legumes)
    • Local
    • Organic (no pesticides or synthetic fertilizers)
    • GMO Free (only non-genetically modified organisms)
    • Vegetarian Only
    • Mostly Vegetarian
    • Dairy-Free
    • Gluten-Free
  • Dietary Choice or Restrictions: No - people may eat however they wish.
  • Special Diets OK: Yes
  • Alcohol Use: Yes, used occasionally.
  • Tobacco Use: Yes, used seldomly, or ceremoniously.
  • Additional Diet Comments: Individuals will determine their dietary preferences and frequency of shared meals are determined by residents and are presently at least weekly potlucks. Individual dietary preferences are respected.
  • Common Spiritual Practice(s):
    • Ecumenical (accepts all religions or spiritual practices)
    • Christian
    • Buddhist
    • Wiccan
    • Protestant
    • Quaker
    • Unitarian Universalist
    • Paganism or Earth Religions
    • Agnostic
    • Humanist
  • Education Style(s):
    • Home Schooling
    • Private School off the property
    • Public Schooling
    • Up to each family or individual
  • Healthcare Options: Up to each family, household, or individual

Cohousing

  • Building Site Status: Completed
  • Year Construction Completed: 2026
  • Number of Housing Units: 16
  • Has a Shared Common Building: Yes

Photo Gallery

Community Network or Organization Affiliations

Coho/US, Northwest Intentional Communities Association

Community Affiliations

The remarkable greater South Whidbey community

Fair Housing Laws

This community acknowledges that their listing does not include any potential violations of the Fair Housing Law, or that they do not provide housing. For any questions about this topic please see our Content Policies and contact FIC with any questions or concerns: directory@ic.org.

Keywords

respect,joy,participation,sharing,sustainable,organic,living lightly,perpetually affordable,natural