HOW TO GET INvolved

     We welcome general inquiries, and will keep in touch with people about future openings.  Just use the contact link below!  Although we are not currently looking for new housemates, we will list any future posting on this page (as well as on the Boston Co-op Network) . A sample posting is below . 
     What makes an ideal housemate?  We find 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 good communicators in general. 
     If you're not sure you're compatible with AFH, we hope you will apply anyway. We'll be happy to hear from you, and offer more clarity. 
     We find common goals draw us together despite differences in age, gender, or orientation.

     For general inquirers, our process begins with email correspondence, using the contact link below.  However, for any posted opening, we ask that you fill out a house Application first; this provides essential information before we can follow up with phone interviews and potential visits.  
     We're always happy to hear from others interested in intentional community.  
     Please feel free to inquire!

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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 

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       SAMPLE POSTING

     ARE YOU LOOKING TO LIVE IN COMMUNITY?

Arlington Friends House expects to have an opening on ________ . We share a spacious Victorian in Arlington Center with fireplaces, stained glass, porches, yard, parking, etc. A long-established Friends co-op, the house is owned by one of the housemates. It’s steps away from the 77 bus to Harvard Square, and a 15-minute bike ride to Alewife and the Red Line.

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

THE ROOM: Located on the 3rd floor, this quiet room with treetop views measures about 10 by 14, with wood floors and a large walk-in closet. It rents for $____ plus $75 for utilities (flat rate for internet, water, gas heat, electricity) for a total of $___ per month. We each also contribute $50 per week for the house food kitty. (Photos here and here.) 

THE LOCATION: Ours is a verdant neighborhood in Arlington Center, 2 blocks from Mass Ave and 4 from a wooded 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 MATCH: Are you a great communicator experienced in shared living? 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 PROCESS: If you're interested, please read through this website first, to learn how we work!  Then, if it still seems like a good fit (we expect inquirers to be familiar with the house guidelines) we invite you to fill out the Application here. Once we receive that, we can follow up.
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Thanks. 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.