“The Abbey” is a shared (owner occupied) home located near the University of New Mexico. We are an inclusive, LGBTQ+friendly, intentional community of introverts who value intergenerational and inter-faith community, creativity, and early bedtimes. Current residents of “The Abbey” include 1 child (age 2), 2 youth (ages 13 and 15) and 8 adults (librarian, chaplain, educator, clergy, international scholars, and a barber) 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. If you are quiet and community-oriented we invite you to explore whether you might like to join us in calling The Abbey home!
All Abbey owners, residents, and guests are expected to share in regular household chores, weekly meal prep, and weekly house meetings (Monday nights over dinner.). 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.
Monthly Rental Rate including a furnished bedroom, all utilities, and food is on a sliding scale $800-$2200. In addition, each resident is expected to contribute between 3-5 hours of help with chores and/or meal prep each week.
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 [email protected], or call/text 510-932-1315.
If, after meeting with the community (in person or online) you are interested in submitting an application to become a resident/guest at the Abbey, please fill out this Abbey Resident/Guest Application Form, then text Sylvia to confirm receipt of your application.
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 lies before us---at home, at work, at school, or in the world--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.