Build a tiny house and sustainable/re-use cottages, Garden, Home-Stay with Family, USA

Details

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  Description

  We are a family of five, two adults and kids ages 12, 7, 4. We live in an older house, built in 1926 that has beautiful greenery and an apple tree out front. We're gradually working on the house, and have a busy family life with our high-energy life-loving kids, a small older dog, and generally busy schedules.
  
  This year we are also starting to work on a property we are developing about 5 blocks away, close to the riverfront. Eventually we'll deconstruct the old a run-down 1922 farmhouse and reclaim the materials to build a small cluster of cottages! In early 2024, we are starting the first stage of work, building a tiny home on wheels and preparing for a small urban flower farm we hope to start in the spring. (This is a long-held dream of Alex's, coming from decades of work in community development and affordable housing).
  
  We'd love to host people looking to explore the world and from anywhere. More about our projects in the section about what help we are looking for. We can offer Spanish lessons if that's of interest.
  
  Our neighborhood is a gem in Portland, next to the river, easy transportation to downtown/other areas, and a really great neighborhood vibe, shops and cafes to walk to, parks and a bird sanctuary, and next to the bike trail that crosses Portland.
  
  We’re only able to host workawayers who are up to date on vaccines. Best for travelers who enjoy the joyful energy and sometimes changing plans that come with having small humans around. :)

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  Types of help and learning opportunities

  Help with Eco Projects

  Teaching

  Gardening

  DIY and building projects

  Animal Care

  Farmstay help

  Creating/ Cooking family meals

  Help around the house

  General Maintenance
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  Cultural exchange and learning opportunities

  We greatly enjoy meeting and hosting people, helping folks have a great visit in Portland, sharing food and time together. Our kids also love meeting and spending time with new people. Working on our passion project is a terrific opportunity to learn skills in light construction, landscaping and urban farming, and alternative housing development.

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  Projects involving children

  This project could involve children. For more information see our guidelines and tips here.

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  Help

  Projects could be either helping work on the riverside property - light construction and carpentry, urban farming, and at some point learning about deconstruction and re-use. If you have trade skills already, fantastic, and if not but willing to learn and ok with manual labor, also great!
  
  Home-stay projects are a variety: home improvements and repairs, gardening and yard work, cooking and grocery, pet care,
  Open to any skills or talents that fit in, or just willingness to help out with general household things.
  
  Some projects may be more independent, others will involve working alongside us as a team.

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  Languages

  Languages spoken
  English: Fluent
  Spanish: Fluent

  This host offers a language exchange
  Alex taught English while living in Mexico City in her 20's, and gave private Spanish lessons after back to the States. Lessons in either language can be part of our exchange.
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  Accommodation

  We offer a private bedroom and bath in our basement, with desk and dresser space. Breakfast and dinnertimes workawayers are welcome to join our family meals, and are also welcome to use the main kitchen at any time for cooking independently. There is also a small kitchenette setup in the basement for use when there's a need for quiet time away from our busy family life.

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  What else ...

  We’re located near the river, near parks, shopping , cafes, antique shops, and a bird sanctuary. Only a 15 minute train ride to downtown, and we are next to a bike trail that crosses Portland.

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  A little more information

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    Internet access

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    Limited internet access

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    We have pets

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    We are smokers

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    Can host families

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  Can host digital nomads

  Our spare room has good wifi (used to be used as an office) and can have ethernet run if desired. There's a desk and chair, as well as an arm chair. Depending on schedules it could also work for nomads to work in the common space upstairs, or on the covered porch in summer. Printing can be available if folks can cover the ink cost.

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  Space for parking camper vans

  For workawayers who'll be working on our riverside project, we have room for parking, water and power available, and greywater drainage. No sewer hookup.

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  Can possibly accept pets

  Workawayers are welcome to bring small dogs/other pets, if willing to keep pets in the guest room if they don't click well with our small older dog (or if staying in a campervan). Larger dogs considered on a case by case basis.

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  How many Workawayers can stay?

  More than two

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  Hours expected

  16-20 hours per week