The Babayagas
There is a lot of talk in the trends world about communal living being the future of housing, with young and older people tackling unaffordable rents and the needs of the elderly through shared housing.
All too often these days, conversations with friends turn to our dream living senario as we age – a large house in London with our own bedroom/living room and large communal spaces, with chef and staff to serve drinks every day at 5pm (we figure gin o’clock can start earlier when we are older), as well as a house by the sea for when we want to get some fresh air – and maybe even a mini bus with driver to get us there. Of course it would be tastefully decorated and as far away from an old peoples home as it’s possible to get.
A group of women in Montreuil, on the east side of Paris have taken 15 years to create their own elderly utopia. Babayagas’ House – a name taken from Slavic mythology meaning “witch” – is a women only, self-managed social housing project devised and run by a community of dynamic female senior citizens who want to keep their independence, but live communally.
“To live long is a good thing but to age well is better,” says 85 year old Thérèse Clerc who dreamt up the project back in 1999.“Growing old is not an illness, we want to change the way people see old age and that means learning to live differently.”
The building houses 25 self-contained flats. 21 are adapted for the elderly and four are reserved for students. Residents pay an average of 420 euros for 35m2 and the five-storey building is in the heart of Montreuil, near the metro, shops and cinema.
Babayagas House
The ground floor of the house is reserved for activities and will house a university for residents, who were selected partly for what they could contribute to the community.
The project has generated a lot of interest and with the comparisons being drawn with the slow food movement. “Slow ageing? Why not!” “We want to exchange ideas, take what’s best out there.”
Brilliant idea, what inspiring, forward thinking women. Love it!
Another reason ( apart from the cheap wine, better climate – though not this week — the markets and brocantes, pretty houses and the patisserie ) for moving to France !!
And what a lovely looking (contemporary) building too. I think this is a super idea. Slow ageing? Couldn’t agree more.
I think so many of us feel this would be a perfect solution. I know that in my group of friends we’ve all been talking about it since we got into our 50s. We are all now in our 60s and still haven’t quite got around to organising anything. Because of course we all think we are not quite old enough just yet. It’s so interesting to hear other people have actually made it happen. Brilliant.
What a wonderful idea! It sounds like lots of fun! I’m in!
Isn’t it Mrs P
J x
Im in Sue
J x
Great! But why not co-ed?
Ive heard of lots of co-ed versions too Lizzie – but I think the preposfully made this one women only. My preference would be women and gay men
J x
I would like to visit on Sunday 30 July around 12h00. Would someone be able to show me around?