The Mama-hood Dream: 4 Homes That Make Living Near Friends Possible
What if you didn’t have to do it all alone?
What if living near the people you love—your friends, your chosen family—was actually doable?
That’s the dream behind The Mama-hood Project, a new collaboration between The Mamahood and Live Near Friends: we’re making it easier (and way more fun) for moms, friends, and families to explore what it might look like to co-own or co-live in community.
We believe that shared living doesn’t have to mean a commune or chaos. It can be a thoughtful, flexible arrangement that helps you build equity, cut costs, and raise your kids surrounded by support. Whether you're looking to buy with a bestie, parent near your sister, or co-invest in a multigenerational setup, we're here to help you dream it—and do it.
To spark your imagination, here’s a round-up of four inspiring listings currently on the market. Each one has real potential for a creative Mama-hood arrangement, from a treehouse-and-hot-tub fantasy setup in Berkeley to a three-home compound on five Sonoma County acres.
Let’s explore what’s possible when we live near the people we love. 💛
Stylish West Berkeley Duplex with Garden Structure
$1,195,000
1626 Kains Ave, Berkeley CA 94702
4 Bed
3 Bath
1,630 sqft
2,614 sqft lot
2 homes+1 potential
Duplex
This stylishly remodeled duplex has a 2 BR / 2 BA unit on top and a 2 BR / 1 BA unit below. The upper unit is the nicer of the two, with a small but swoon-worthy kitchen, a primary bedroom with an en suite half bath, and a private deck off the kitchen with a spiral staircase leading down to the garden. )The downstairs unit is perfectly fine but lacks the pizzazz of the upper.)
There's a tiny ADU but lovely in the backyard with exposed beam ceilings. It could serve as an office or guest room … or perhaps expanded into an additional unit.
Just off San Pablo Ave, it's close to Whole Foods, Gilman St., 4th St, and the Berkeley Marina.
How could this work?
This could work with a single owner living upstairs and renting out the downstairs, or with an unequal ownership TIC (the units are similarly sized but the upstairs is nicer).
You can find this listing on Live Near Friends or Zillow.
Storybook Victorian with Cedar Hot Tub and Treehouse
$1,495,000
908 Hearst Ave, Berkeley CA 94710
6 Bed
4 Bath
3,183 sqft
6,098 sqft lot
This West Berkeley restored Victorian has over-the-top storybook charm: outside, there a charming four-color exterior. Inside, everything is thoughtfully artisan, including stained glass, custom cabinets, and even chestnut floors harvested "from a Healdsburg family farm". The main house is 3 BR / 2 BA and the ground floor is a 2 BR / 1 BA and a 1 BR / 1 BA.
The backyard is absolutely magical: big, verdant, with a whimsical treehouse, brick pathways, a cedar hot tub, and a large detached structure that's currently set up as a yoga studio but could be converted to an additional unit.
It's close to 4th Street, the Berkeley Adventure Playground, Vik's Chaat, and has super easy freeway access.
How could this work?
This would be a great fit for two families with young kids and a grandparent/friend. Send your kids out to play in the treehouse while you relax in the hot tub. It makes the most sense with a single owner living in the nicer and larger upstairs unit and renting out the two lower units.
You can find this listing on Live Near Friends or Zillow.
Three Houses on Five Acres Near Rohnert Park
$1,495,000
4344 Langner Ave, Santa Rosa CA 95407
7 Bed
4 Bath
2,955 sqft
5 acres lot
This property offers three homes on 5 flat, usable acres near Rohnert Park and a huge golf course: a 1,300 sq. ft. 3-bed main house, a 720 sq. ft. 1-bed water tower apartment, and a 922 sq. ft. 2-bed cottage. All of these will need some cosmetic remodeling to be restored to their full potential. There are also many outbuildings, two of which were unpermitted dwellings at one time that may require county review to be legal. With mature fruit trees, pastures, and outbuildings, this place has BIG family and friend compound potential.
How could this work?
Use the three permitted homes for family or friends, and explore the potential of legalizing the unpermitted dwellings or use as workshops or offices. The pastures and outbuildings offer space for shared hobbies, farming, or storage, making this an ideal setup for a friend community.
You can find this listing on Live Near Friends and Zillow.
Highland Terrace Duplex with 6 Bedrooms
$825,000
2020 17th Ave, Oakland CA 94606
6 Bed
3 Bath
2,000 sqft
3,049 sqft lot
This comfortable duplex includes a large 4 BR / 2 BA unit on top and a 2 BR / 1 BA below. It's rare to see a duplex unit with 4 bedrooms, making this one a good fit for one larger family or friends who want to split a single unit. The kitchens and bathrooms look modern, both units have their own laundry. And Roosevelt Middle School is just two blocks away.
How could this work?
Because the two units are unequally sized, you'll want to split the cost unequally, or have one party buy and rent to the other.
You can find this listing on Live Near Friends and Zillow.