Forest Park Tenants Co-Op

- 62 Scenic Dr, Jaffrey, NH 03452

For many residents in New Hampshire, finding truly stable and affordable housing remains a significant challenge. The search often leads to innovative models, and one of the most successful in the Granite State is the Resident-Owned Community (ROC). Forest Park Tenants Co-Op in Jaffrey stands as an excellent example of this model, offering an attractive and reliable housing option in the scenic Monadnock Region.

A Resident-Owned Community is a neighborhood of manufactured homes where the homeowners collectively own the land beneath their homes through a cooperative corporation. This structure fundamentally changes the dynamic of manufactured home living. Instead of dealing with an external, for-profit landlord, residents become members of the cooperative, having a democratic say in the community’s management, policies, and budget. This resident-ownership model, which Forest Park adopted in 2005, is highly touted by organizations like the New Hampshire Community Loan Fund for stabilizing lot rents and providing greater security for the homeowners' investment.

Forest Park Tenants Co-Op, which was once a 55-and-older community, has transitioned to an all-ages park, welcoming retirees, families, and single individuals alike. It is known locally as a fairly quiet and friendly neighborhood, nestled in a peaceful part of Jaffrey. While the co-op structure requires a level of collective participation—including adherence to co-op-set rules—the result is a well-managed community where the financial benefits directly serve the residents. For New Hampshire locals seeking a blend of homeownership, community control, and cost stability, Forest Park is definitely a place worth looking into.

The Forest Park Tenants Co-Op is situated in the charming town of Jaffrey, New Hampshire, positioning it perfectly for those who appreciate both natural beauty and convenient town access. The community's location provides a tranquil setting away from the direct hustle of commercial centers but remains highly accessible for day-to-day needs.

The official community address is 62 Scenic Dr, Jaffrey, NH 03452, USA. As the street name suggests, the neighborhood is in a pleasant, scenic area. Jaffrey itself is a gateway to the Monadnock Region, meaning residents have easy access to the numerous recreational opportunities afforded by Mount Monadnock, lakes, and surrounding forests.

For local New Hampshire users, the location in Jaffrey places them within a short driving distance of the region’s amenities, including grocery stores, medical clinics, and local dining options. While the roads within the park can present typical New England winter challenges, local residents understand that proper preparation, such as using snow tires, is standard practice for comfortable winter driving in the state. The overall location offers a quiet, residential neighborhood feel with the practical convenience necessary for Southern New Hampshire living.

As a Resident-Owned Community, the services provided are managed directly by the resident-elected board and operations manager, ensuring that the maintenance and improvements directly benefit the homeowners. The monthly lot rent contributes to the cooperative's operating budget, which covers essential services for the entire community.

• Stable Lot Rent: One of the core benefits of the ROC model is the stability of lot rents. Rent covers the costs of land taxes, collective debt payments, and maintenance, rather than generating profit for an outside entity, offering greater financial predictability for homeowners.
• Community Maintenance: The co-op is responsible for the overall maintenance and upkeep of common areas, including the private roads within the park, ensuring they are addressed and maintained through the co-op's budget.
• Utility Infrastructure Management: The cooperative manages and maintains the utility infrastructure that serves the community, though residents are individually responsible for their home utility usage bills. This provides control over long-term infrastructure upgrades, such as the past replacement of electrical services, funded through a combination of co-op funds and assistance from the NH Community Loan Fund.
• Trash Removal/Disposal Services: Essential residential services like trash collection are typically arranged and covered by the cooperative fees, ensuring a clean and tidy living environment.
• Self-Governance and Fair Lease Terms: The co-op structure itself is a major service, providing homeowners with a fair and easy-to-follow lease agreement, democratic voting rights on major decisions, and the opportunity to serve on the board of directors.

The standout feature of Forest Park is its co-op status, but the park also boasts several other highlights that contribute to a comfortable lifestyle for its residents.

• Resident-Owned Community (ROC) Status: This is the most critical feature, guaranteeing the residents have control over the land and protection against sudden sale or unreasonable rent increases, thereby securing their housing investment for the long term.
• Affordable Entry Point: The costs associated with buying a manufactured home, even with the required one-time membership buy-in (which is refundable upon moving out), remain significantly more affordable than traditional stick-built housing in New Hampshire, making homeownership accessible to people of modest means.
• Quiet Neighborhood Atmosphere: Visitors and residents often describe the park as a relatively quiet community. While neighborly activity and passing traffic can be heard, it’s generally referred to as background noise, fostering a peaceful setting.
• Community of Decent, Friendly Neighbors: The park’s cooperative nature encourages community engagement. Many residents cite the warm and friendly atmosphere, where neighbors are often willing to help one another, which is a hallmark of the co-op model.
• Proximity to Monadnock Recreation: The location in Jaffrey means residents are just moments away from hiking, fishing, and other outdoor pursuits in the surrounding Monadnock Region, enhancing the quality of life for outdoor enthusiasts.

For New Hampshire locals interested in learning more about the process of purchasing a home or lot within the cooperative, or for general inquiries about the Forest Park Tenants Co-Op community, please use the following contact details:

Address: 62 Scenic Dr, Jaffrey, NH 03452, USA

Phone: (603) 532-1143

Mobile Phone: +1 603-532-1143

It is advisable to call ahead to inquire about current lot availability and the necessary co-op membership application process.

For New Hampshire locals, particularly those in the Monadnock Region, the Forest Park Tenants Co-Op represents a powerful solution to the state’s housing affordability crisis. The cooperative model is perfectly suited to the New England ethic of self-reliance and community support, allowing residents to take direct control of their housing costs and community standards.

The combination of reasonable lot rent (as the land is owned by the residents, not a distant corporation), the lower entry cost of manufactured homes compared to traditional site-built homes, and the security of land tenure offers an unparalleled opportunity for financial stability. While some residents note typical co-op challenges, such as the involvement of board members in community rules, these are the trade-offs of democracy and self-governance. The overall outcome is a quiet, friendly, and fundamentally secure place to live. By choosing Forest Park, New Hampshire residents are not just buying a home; they are buying a share in a stable, self-managed community that is protected from the volatile whims of the private rental market. This makes it an ideal, long-term housing choice for the pragmatic New Hampshire homeowner.

Forest Park Tenants Co-Op

62 Scenic Dr, Jaffrey, NH 03452, USA