Would you ever live in a co-op while camming?
I'm attempting to move to a city where finding housing is extremely competitive. It's an urban/suburban college town. So far, competing for housing with students, ex-students, and graduates has been extremely challenging. Being a single mom (while wonderful) doesn't help; people without children don't want children as housemates. And all of those nice privately owned houses are being snatched up almost as soon as the ads are posted. And my credit is terrible in any case. OK, rant over. :banghead:
So last night, I started looking into co-operative housing as an option. I'm a hippie at heart, and I've always wanted to live in a co-op/commune. And there are dozens in the area, many of them specifically pro-women of color and pro-children. But the thought of it makes me nervous. Would anyone ever consider living in a co-op while camming? Would you be upfront about your job because of the accepting environment, or would you keep it under wraps? Do you think being upfront during the interview process would increase your chances of rejection?
Re: Would you ever live in a co-op while camming?
Honestly, that would probably be asking for trouble. As much as I like that lifestyle, it just doesn't fit with camming IMO, because it would be hard to hide and hard to explain. People would be knocking at your door probably and would be loud, so you'd have to tell them to be quiet & they'd wonder why. Someone would overhear you. If you can hear them, they can hear you too. They'd want to know about your employment upfront and you'd have to at least tell them you work from home since they'd wonder why you're always home. Then even if they accept you, you're going to have to answer to everyone wanting to know all about your work-from-home job, and someone will likely end up overhearing you working and then telling everyone else. Sounds like drama or a bad situation waiting to happen, IMO. And where would your child sleep? In a separate bedroom I'd hope, if you're camming? Aren't drugs pretty common in co-op due to lifestyle attitudes of many who live there, and wouldn't that be inappropriate for a child to witness? Idk, if you didn't have the child it might be doable, but I wouldn't just because of the child situation.
Re: Would you ever live in a co-op while camming?
I couldn't imagine if the five housemates I live with weren't friends! I mean, we live in a legit mansion, but I'M LOUD!!!
Re: Would you ever live in a co-op while camming?
Sex work is still so taboo, I really don't see it going over well in a housing situation. And the noise issue is a valid one, as well.
Co-ops are really good when the people are really good, but unless you know them ahead of time, you can be stuck in some really bad situations with unpleasant people. My mom actually raised my sister and I in a couple of co-ops(she's a hippy too lol), and we ended up moving into a traditional apartment building after awhile because co-op living is really hard to get right.
Re: Would you ever live in a co-op while camming?
I would pass on this option and never tell anyone that you are a cam model...just looking for trouble and some creeps that will assume since you are a cam model, you are open to everyone. Have to think of your child as well!
Just as suggestion, any trailer parks around? They aren't all bad.
Re: Would you ever live in a co-op while camming?
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Sexy Shana
I would pass on this option and never tell anyone that you are a cam model...just looking for trouble and some creeps that will assume since you are a cam model, you are open to everyone. Have to think of your child as well!
Just as suggestion, any trailer parks around? They aren't all bad.
There's a trailer park in town, right next to a refinery. Not pleasant-smelling lol.
But I agree with you and everyone who's posted, the whole privacy issue is a dealbreaker.
I guess I'll have to think of something else! A very good, nonjudgmental friend is willing to find a place with me as soon as she finds a good job in this tough market. I can't put a value on something like that, so I might have to stay put until things work out. -_-
Re: Would you ever live in a co-op while camming?
There are also different types of co-ops and social housing. Some co-ops are literally apartment buildings or town houses (you get your own for a low rent gear to income price per month) where all members are expected to pitch in with different tasks, ie sort garbage, clean hallways, be the treasurer at the "town hall" type meeting, etc. Its something to look into for sure and housing prices in such places are geared to your income. I know people who are in co-ops around here and pay like $500/month for an entire 3 bedroom townhome to themselves, but just have to come up with the 2-3 hrs a week to do the community work. non co-op town homes around here rent normally for around $2 k a month (give or take).
Re: Would you ever live in a co-op while camming?
Its really going to depend on the co-op, like OJenni says. The one thing that I would never do is lie to the people that you live in close quarters with, whether in a co-op or roommate type situation. Camming is not subtle, so its not an easy one to hide, and even people that are pretty open minded about the work generally do not like being lied to about it. Depending on the set-up, you may find that you cannot get internet speeds that you need (whenever I move, I am very careful to make sure that there is a supplier that covers the area and that the place I am moving into either does not have internet supplied, or is happy for me to set up my own) which is really difficult, for obvious reasons.
You may find that it is easier to actually advertise for a roomate (or mates) and then look for a house together. There are lots of sites that help you connect with other people who are looking for roommates, and then you could find someone that is happy with your situation, and look for a place that fits...just a thought!
Good luck finding a place!
Re: Would you ever live in a co-op while camming?
I cam and I live in a co-op. There are three other apartments in my building. I am a single mom of one. I have one family over me and in my bedroom where I cam, I do not have anybody living next to me. I have been camming since November 2011 and I have had no complaints. Some times I am loud too.
Re: Would you ever live in a co-op while camming?
i love co-ops and i've done a lot of work within co-op communities and have friends who have lived in them. for me, i HATE camming with roommates, even if they're the most sex-positive roommates ever - it's just a mental thing. it really fucks with my head when i know people can hear me (unless it's like my partner or something) and it makes me very self-conscious. so it wouldn't work for me.
however, if you do find the right co-op i could see it working out. i think the noise thing would be a big issue (i mean, i don't think you'd be able to hide it unless you cam without sound and already have a good customer base camming without sound) so it'd depend on how the house is structured and what house rules are. but if you aren't too familiar with co-ops, please be thorough when you investigate. some of the problems i've run into is that a lot of co-ops aren't really all that progressive or radical and can be really anti-sex work and ableist, racist, etc. even a lot of ones who are oriented towards radical folks still tend to have a lot of entrenched oppressive shit going on (which is common anytime you get radicals working together, but - like - for me, it's something i can deal with when i'm doing organizing work but i need my home, especially if i'm doing sex work, to be MY space). even if they say they are cool with sex work it is not always a safe space to be working.
good luck!
edited to add: it also depends on the structure of the co-op. before i read rose's post i didn't even know there were co-ops with separate apartments - if it were a matter of having a separate apartment i think it would be no different than living in any apartment building so most of what i've said might not apply - if you don't have to relate that much with the other people who live there then it's not a big deal, but most co-ops you DO have to deal a lot with the other peopel who live there. most co-ops in college towns i know of have people in separate rooms but sharing the same common spaces and sharing walls. that would not work for me with camming, and that's the kind of environment i was addressing in my post.