“The Abbey” is a shared (owner occupied) home located near the University of New Mexico. We are an inclusive, LGBTQ+friendly community of introverts who value intergenerational and inter-faith community, creativity, and early bedtimes. Current residents of “The Abbey” include 2 youth (ages 12 and 14) and 7 adults (scholars, artists, teachers, mental health professionals, and clergy) 3 small dogs (that live in the big house) and 2 cats (that live "cloistered" in the Casita.) "The Abbey" also includes several non-residential community members and friends who participate regularly with residents of the Abbey in shared meals, study, recreation, and work.
All Abbey owners, residents, and guests are expected to share in regular household chores, weekly meal prep, and monthly house meetings. All Abbey owners, residents, and guests contribute a monthly rent to help cover household expenses. Each resident's rent covers access to a private, furnished bedroom, all household common areas (shared bathrooms, kitchen, dining room, living room, laundry room, patio & yard), food (basic groceries), laundry, internet and utilities. Abbey residents who are qualified drivers may also have access to a shared Abbey Car. (Use of the Abbey Car requires an additional Car Use Agreement and Car Use Fee.)
All Abbey owners, residents, and guests are required to sign and abide by a basic Community Living Agreement, including a process for Dispute Resolution. Rent for each resident is determined on a sliding scale, in consultation with the owners, as part of each resident's application process.
We currently have one large upstairs room available to welcome additional resident/guests at the Abbey during the 2023-2024 School Year.
The South Room is a large upstairs room with great natural light, both east and west facing windows, and a shared bathroom. Suitable for an individual, couple, or parent with baby. Suggested financial contribution for South Room residents is on a sliding scale $800-$1200/month (includes meals). Becomes available in August 2023.
If/when any bedroom at the Abbey is not occupied by a long-term guest/resident, it may be available to welcome short-term guests. Suggested financial contribution for short-term guests is on a sliding scale, $25-$45/day or $125-$300/week.
For more information, to schedule a visit, or to apply to become a resident/guest at the Abbey, please contact Sylvia at sylvia.miller.mutia@gmail.com, or call/text 510-932-1315.
Take a Photo Tour of the Abbey
Get a feeling for the space and folks that make up "The Abbey" community by looking through the photos, below.
Make One Thing Better
As a community, residents and guests of the Abbey seek to cultivate an ethic of teamwork and mutual care. Quarterly "Abbey Work Days" are one way we embody this commitment. 4x a year we agree to set aside a half day to work together on yardwork, chores and projects (at the Abbey and beyond.)
Whatever work is before us---whether housework, or weeding, or dismantling racism, or promoting world peace--we know how easy it is to become discouraged and overwhelmed. As part of our first quarterly Abbey Work Day, we all pitched in to create this music video as a reminder that whatever work is before us, even when we feel tired or overwhelmed, we can always "make one thing better".
We hope our song encourages you in whatever work is before you today!
Make one thing better Oh I can make one thing better Though I cannot do it all, when I come and when I go Lord, help me make just one thing better.