GETTING INvolved

     ​We're glad to connect with like-minded folk, co-opers or general inquirers. Just use our Contact link.
     ​Currently we anticipate an opening May 1st! We generally post details of opportunities here as well as on the Boston Co-op Network list-serve.   
     ​You can explore the upcoming posting further on. If you've read through our website and feel you'd be compatible, scroll down to learn how to apply. For any current opening we ask you to fill out our AFH Application form. It provides essential information before we can set up any phone interviews or visits.

​Traits We Look for in Community   
   •uber-responsible, keeping commitments
  • has time and skills to invest in community
  • ​fabulous responsive communicator
  • enjoys coming home for dinner most nights
  • likes to host events and invite people over
  • planning to stay long term (minimum 18 months)
  • prefers bikes to cars, fresh food to frozen, quiet to noise, etc.

Things That Can Pose Challenges  
  • out many evenings
  • often away weekends/frequent travel for work
  • may move within a year or two
  • difficulty with stairs
  • ​recurring conditions that limit ability or availability to participate  

Skills We Can Always Use More Of
     Plumbing                        Singing
     Playing of instruments    Electrical
     Bike repair                       Sewing
     Web design                    Gardening
     Contra-dancing               Tennis                                       Carpentry                        Brute force 
 
    We're always happy to hear from others about intentional community. Feel free to send questions through the Contact form below. 

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     What makes an ideal housemate?  We work best with people who have experience living with others, and are skilled in group dynamics —— articulate, good negotiators, good at drawing others out —— as well as being gifted communicators in general. 
    We find common goals draw us together despite differences in age, gender, or orientation.
​     If you're not sure you're compatible with AFH, we hope you will apply anyway (see our house Application​ form). We'll be happy to hear from you, and offer more clarity.   

ARE YOU LOOKING TO LIVE IN COMMUNITY? We're looking for a new member to join us May 1, 2026. A long-established Friends co-op, Arlington Friends House revolves around close communication, shared meals, and community care. We share a spacious Victorian in Arlington Center, with fireplaces, stained glass, porches, yard, parking, etc. Our house, owned by one of the housemates, is steps away from the 77 bus to Harvard Square, and a 15-minute bike ride to Alewife and the Red Line.

THE MATCH: Are you a great communicator, experienced in shared living? We’re looking for a co-op-mate who is committed to investing their skills, and able to participate in and add to our community. Are you open, flexible, and companionable? Are you looking for a long-term community to call home? (Do you sing, dance, garden, hike…?) We would love to get to know you and let you get to know us.

THE HOUSEHOLD: We are a poet, a nature educator, a priest, a graphic designer, a climate justice organizer, a teacher and a university professor who range in age from our 20s to our 60s. (We also share a dog who stays with us two days a week, though we can't take additional pets.) We enjoy singing, games, puzzles, music, gardening, dancing, deep talks, etc.
     We have vegetarian dinners every night (we each cook once a week, so there are meals every night!) and expect each housemate to be present at dinner at least 4 nights a week on average. We share food and household supplies as well as cleaning and upkeep. We hold house meetings every other week and make decisions using a Quaker-based consensus process. While only two of us are Friends as in Quakers, all of us strive to be friends.

THE ROOM: Located on the third floor, the room measures about 10 x 14 ft. With wood floors and a large walk-in closet, it looks out onto our back yard.  (Photos here and here). Rent is $700 plus $75 for utilities (a flat rate for internet, water, gas heat, and electricity) for a total of $775 per month. We each also contribute about $55 per week for the house food kitty, keeping our food costs remarkably low!

THE LOCATION: Ours is a verdant neighborhood in Arlington Center, 2 blocks from Mass Ave and 4 from the park. Housemates use a mix of bikes, transit and cars to get where they are going each day, whether that’s Alewife station (15 minutes by bike or bus; 8 minutes by car) or beyond. Many of us have commuted to Tufts, Harvard, Lesley, MIT or downtown.

THE PROCESS: If you're interested, please read through our website first, to learn about our guidelines! Then, if it still seems like a good fit, we invite you to fill out our Application here. We'll respond to all Applications we receive this way. 
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We look forward to hearing from you!

COVID NOTE: Current residents are all fully vaccinated and we expect new residents to be as well. We've developed detailed safety protocols that we update periodically and are happy to share.