La Querencia is a multigenerational cohousing neighborhood in Northeast Fresno made up of 28 individually owned homes. We chose this way of living because we wanted more than just houses next to each other. We wanted a real neighborhood: one where people know each other, share meals, care for common spaces, and take part in the life of the community. Our group first came together in 2004, and the first residents moved in during 2008, so this is a well-established community with real history and continuity.

Cohousing is a way of living that combines private homes with a more connected neighborhood life. Everyone has their own home, kitchen, finances, and daily routines, but there are also shared spaces, shared responsibilities, and more day-to-day connection than you usually find in a typical neighborhood. It offers a balance of independence and community.

Cohousing is also about design, not just good intentions. The physical layout and shared facilities make it easier for people to cross paths, know one another, and build relationships over time. In a typical neighborhood, connection can happen, but it often depends on luck. In cohousing, the neighborhood is shaped to support it. The result is a way of living that gives people their own private space while also making room for a more connected, supportive, and participatory daily life.

No. La Querencia is a neighborhood of privately owned homes, not a commune. People do not share income or merge households. What we do share is community life: meals, responsibilities, decision-making, and the experience of living among neighbors who actually know one another.

It feels more connected and more human than a typical neighborhood, but not crowded or forced. Daily life includes spontaneous hellos along the walkway, kids playing, neighbors borrowing a tool, someone heading to the common house, or a quick conversation that turns into something more meaningful over time. Because people cross paths often, relationships tend to grow naturally.

Yes. Privacy matters here. One of the goals of cohousing is not to erase private life, but to balance private and public space well. People have their own homes and can choose their own level of involvement from day to day. The community is there when you want it, and your own space is there when you need it.

We’re a diverse and lively group. Households include individuals, couples, families, and single parents. Our population shifts over time, but typically includes around 30 to 45 adults and 15 to 20 children, with ages ranging from young kids to seniors in their 90s. Neighbors come from a range of professions, backgrounds, identities, and lifestyles, and what ties us together is not sameness, but a shared commitment to connection and community life.

Yes. Many families are drawn to cohousing because kids get to grow up in a neighborhood where they know the adults around them, play with other children nearby, and experience a stronger sense of belonging. Parents often appreciate not having to do everything in isolation. The neighborhood layout and shared spaces make it easier for everyday life to feel social, supportive, and a little more relaxed.

La Querencia includes both flats and two-story townhouses. Homes range from about 1,100 to 1,900 square feet, with two-, three-, four-, and five-bedroom options. The flats have two bedrooms and are either upstairs or downstairs, while the townhouses range from three to five bedrooms. Homes include either front and back patios or a balcony, and most have open floor plans that feel bright and airy.

The common house is the heart of the community. In addition to the common house, residents share a pool and spa, gym, workshop and crafts room, bike shed, play areas, garden spaces, laundry room, and outdoor gathering areas. The layout is designed so that people naturally cross paths, while still having homes of their own to retreat to.

A lot! It’s where we hold meetings, share meals, celebrate birthdays and holidays, host movie nights, and gather for all kinds of formal and informal events. The common house includes a large dining room, a kitchen, comfortable sitting areas, laundry, and a guest room that residents can reserve. It’s both a social hub and a practical shared resource.

Yes. Sharing food is an important part of life here. We come together for at least one common meal each week, along with a monthly potluck and holiday gatherings throughout the year. Meals are usually cooked by a small team of neighbors, with another group helping clean up afterward. It’s one of the simplest and best ways people stay connected.

Very much so. There is usually something going on, whether it’s a movie night, game night, birthday celebration, holiday event, or an informal get-together that happens on its own. Throughout the year there are traditions that bring people together, from summer celebrations to Halloween festivities to winter gatherings, along with plenty of smaller reasons to connect along the way.

La Querencia uses a consensus-based process and does not operate with a traditional top-down hierarchy. Larger community decisions are discussed collectively at monthly meetings, while smaller or more specific matters may be handled by committees with transparency and room for input. Residents help shape the life of the community rather than simply living in a place run by someone else.

Yes. Although La Querencia is legally structured as an HOA, it is primarily self-managed rather than run by an outside management company. Residents serve on committees and teams that help care for finances, buildings, landscaping, social life, and shared spaces. That hands-on approach asks more of people, but it also strengthens involvement, responsibility, and ownership over the life of the neighborhood.

La Querencia is not a passive place to live. Each adult is expected to participate in the life of the community by joining one or more committees and contributing several hours per month toward the care of the buildings, grounds, or social life of the neighborhood. There are many ways to contribute, and people usually find roles that fit their interests, abilities, and schedules.

Like any real community, we have conflict from time to time. Living more closely connected to your neighbors can be deeply rewarding, but it also means differences are more visible and sometimes need to be worked through. We do not see that as a failure of community. It is simply part of living together honestly.

Our aim is to handle conflict with respect, direct communication, and a willingness to listen. We try to address concerns rather than let them quietly build up, and we work toward solutions that take both individual needs and the well-being of the whole community into account. Because we use a consensus-based process, people are asked not only to speak up when something matters, but also to stay open, be flexible, and look for a path the group can live with. In a healthy community, conflict is not just something to avoid. It is also something people learn to navigate with more care, honesty, and maturity over time.

La Querencia is located along Alluvial Avenue in Northeast Fresno, in an established area with good access to parks, a bike trail, schools, shopping, and dining. Fresno State is very close by, and most Fresno destinations, including theaters and the airport, are within about a 15-minute drive. One of the nice things about the location is that it offers both neighborhood connection and everyday convenience.

Daily life here is relatively easy to manage, with most errands and activities close at hand. At the same time, the Sierra, the coast, and larger California destinations are all within reach for weekend trips.

La Querencia tends to be a good fit for people who want community and are able to work well with others.

It’s okay to have strong opinions, but community life works best for people who can both listen with empathy and take thoughtful action when action is needed. It helps to be someone who can stand up for what matters, stay flexible, and sometimes let go of getting their own way in order to make room for the wisdom of the group.

The best way to decide is to learn more about the community and spend some time with us. A good fit is less about liking the general idea of cohousing and more about whether this particular community feels right to you.

The best way to understand cohousing is to experience it in person. A website can tell part of the story, but the feel of the place really matters. If someone is sincerely interested, the next step is usually to reach out, visit, and get a feel for the culture and rhythm of the community.