Q and A

What is Coliving?
Coliving is a form of shared accommodation. At Oakview, it’s a former lodge, shared as a large home. Oakview Coliving is designed for adults of all ages, suitable for couples or singles. We have almost 4000 sq ft of shared living space and small private spaces. Oh, and a lake. And a marina.

Is this a senior’s living/retirement residence?
Nope. Although some of us are seniors, we welcome people of all ages. Half of our current residents are in their 50s.

Is there room for my family to visit?
Plenty. You have the use of a lovely, self-contained, two-bedroom guest house on the property. You can also choose to welcome overnight visitors in your suite, which might work best for younger children/grandchildren.

Are there services and restaurants close by?
The towns of Minden, Haliburton, and Dorset are easily accessible from Oakview. All are 25 - 35 minutes away. A variety of restaurants, 2 local breweries, and a bakery are located about 15 minutes away. Larger centers, such as Huntsville and Bracebridge are about 50 minutes away. This is rural living, and we are car reliant; we carpool when possible.

Are you still on dial-up?
Bite your tongue. We have high speed internet throughout via StarLink. Zoom or stream to your heart's content.

Can you tell me more about the marina?
Co-owners at Oakview Coliving share ownership of the entire property, which includes the main lodge (the shared residence) and an operating marina (docking only, no fueling). The marina is operated by two of the current residents. As shareholders you receive annual dividends paid out of its profits. 

I'm an introvert. How will I get my alone time?
Your time is your own. While the current group does enjoy doing many things together, we are also very respectful of each other’s personal time and space (like who not to talk to before they've had morning coffee, who likes to quietly enjoy a book without being disturbed, and who might disappear on a walk by themselves). The property and the surrounding area provide many quiet spots to enjoy alone. You also have your own unit that no one else will enter without an invitation. A friend of ours says cohousing is perfect for introverts. "When I want to be alone, I close my door. When I want people, I open it and there they are!"

I have a job and don’t have a lot of extra time to give to the community. Am I still welcome?
Without a doubt, working people are welcome. The perk in this case, is that you could have a home-cooked meal ready for you after a long day at work!  We do think that being a part of a community involves taking on some group responsibilities. There are many ways that people can contribute to the community either on a regular basis or at various times of the year - helping in the kitchen, gardening, cutting grass, cleaning, shoveling snow, stacking wood, being a social convener, to name just a few.  

Are there cultural or religious affiliations? No offense, but is this some kind of cult?
If you can call a group of people who love the outdoors and are interested in the kinship of humankind a cult, then maybe we are! All kidding aside, we are simply a group of individuals, from a variety of backgrounds and with varied beliefs, who enjoy the company of others.  

What about furniture?
You may bring your own furniture for your private suite. We may be able to accommodate some pieces of your furniture within the common areas by mutual consent. Generally, you should not count on bringing anything that you can't keep in your suite or in a storage area in our basement. For many, moving here is an exercise in down-sizing.

How did you decide on the pricing?
The overall price of the property is based on an assessment of market value. The price for your individual share is a proportion of the overall price.

What are the recreational opportunities?
Oakview offers rural living along with a cottage lifestyle. We have some of the best hiking trails in the county a few steps from our property. Our fleet of watercraft includes canoes, kayaks, paddle boats, and standup paddle boards, ready to help you explore Little Hawk and Big Hawk Lake. There's great skiing, snowshoeing, and other winter activities. As an owner, all of it is yours to enjoy.

Do I have to buy immediately or can I try it out?
Keenly interested but still feeling unsure? Talk to us about "rent to try".  

What other costs are there?
So glad you asked! All house and food expenses are covered, only personal expenses are extra: eg - cell phones, dining out, etc. See costs.

What happens when I need or want to move?
Once you're a co-owner, you have the option to offer your share of the property for sale, at market value, at any time. 

What does "agents protected" mean?
We're selling the units privately, but in the event that you come to us through a real estate agent, we will pay that agent 2.5 percent of the purchase price on closing.

More questions? Contact us at [email protected]