The NY Times reports that a group of 12 older friends have joined forces, financially, socially and emotionally to create a small, planned community for themselves.

“Glacier Circle” will be located in Davis, California and consists of eight town houses grouped around a courtyard. A “common house” will include dining facilities and a studio apartment that will be rented for below market rates to a skilled nurse.

The Times writes: “They are all accomplished professionals, and the market value of their homes allowed them to purchase land and build their dream at a cost of $3.2 million, or about $400,000 each, plus $350 a month in dues. They expect to collect $850 a month in rental income. Individuals own their own homes but share expenses of common areas.” The architect is Julie Haney.

The participants are retired professionals who include a psychologist, a health sciences professor, and an editor. Many of them met through the local Unitarian Universalist Church in the late 1960’s.

The new residents are survivors of the Great Depression and World War Two and are now embarking on their last mission–to care for one another and create an alternative to institutional care by sharing responsiblities, expenses and their time.

This idea of people buying and planning homes together comes from the progressive and humane nation of Denmark, which invests in pro-life concepts. Instead of exporting, producing and creating weapons of war.