By Allyson Rowley, Community Reporter

Heather Yundt and Etienne Baqué moved into their Oak in September with their twin six-year-old daughters. The family quickly enjoyed the benefits of living in Treehouse Village’s multi-generational, family friendly, 30-unit cohousing community. There even was a welcome ceremony for them when they moved in!

Etienne, Mila, Heather and Margot being welcomed to the community. Photo by Shirley Robb

A community that supports each other

Heather is quick to point out how supported they feel as parents and how happy they have been with their move to Treehouse Village.

Neighbours at Treehouse Village make sure to support each other in many valuable ways, whether that’s giving someone a lift, sharing community meals, or helping with child care. 

“One of the things I’ve loved most about being here is how much freedom and independence our children have,” Heather says. “After school, they run safely down the common green to play with the other Treehouse children. There are always other adults around to help keep an eye on them or engage them in activities like crafts or baking or tobogganing.”

A great place to work from home

Both Heather and Etienne work from home. Their spacious Oak gives them lots of room — and condo fees at Treehouse Village include WiFi internet, as well as electricity, heat, and municipal water.

“The WiFi is very good,” says Etienne. “It allows both Heather and me to have video meetings with our respective colleagues, at the same time, and it still works very well.”

Several schools are within walking distance, and the Centre Scolaire de la Rive Sud and South Shore Waldorf School are a short drive away. “There’s even a school bus picking up kids from Victoria Road, just across from Treehouse Village, that goes directly to the French school,” says Etienne. “And there’s a drop-off as well in the afternoon.”

Residents share the amenities of the 4000-sq.ft. Common House, including a communal kitchen, co-working space, lounge, fitness room, guest suites, laundry facilities, children’s play area, and more.

One of Nova Scotia’s greenest neighbourhoods

Now approaching final registration as a condominium corporation, Treehouse Village is Atlantic Canada’s first cohousing community and Nova Scotia’s largest Passive House multi-residential development.

Residents at Treehouse Village are dedicated to sharing our resources with each other, being environmentally responsible, and living as sustainably as possible.

All residential buildings now have solar panels installed on their roofs. Our goal is to provide a large percentage of our electrical needs through solar energy, ultimately reaching net zero. The campus already has 10 EV charging stations.

Since the residential buildings have been built to the ultra energy-efficient Passive House standards, our heating bills are expected to be as low as $200/year.

Plans are now underway to make Treehouse Village one of Nova Scotia’s greenest neighbourhoods, with composting, recycling, bulk purchasing, low-impact stormwater management, a workshop on site, and space for gardening and food forests. 

Come home to Atlantic Canada’s first cohousing community! Book your tour here. Virtual tours available.

What are you waiting for? Book your private tour today! Virtual tours are available.