I’m a 31 y/o, married, gay woman living in a pretty progressive part of the country and I’m trying to figure out how others have shifted their lifestyles to actually facilitate living more intentionally in connection with their friends/chosen families.

I’ve been framing this in my mind with a three tier system: Tier 1: readjusting our daily/weekly routines to include each other in supporting day-to-day activities and also incorporating regular quality time opportunities. Example: planning meal sharing where each family/couple/person makes a double/triple batch of a meal and then we share the extras so that each person only has to worry about their 1 assigned meal for the week which takes the burden of meal planning/prepping/cooking off the plate of those who struggle with it. Another example that would fit here is income sharing but this probably won’t fit for our situations.

Tier 2: moving closer to each other in a city where others already are (maybe even purchasing a duplex or something). This is a medium-term plan.

Tier 3: commune-style out on a big piece of land somewhere.

I’m looking for insight on other things we could do for Tier 1. The goal is to mitigate some of the stress of the nuclear family model and allow for folks with strengths in particular areas to support each other with weaknesses in those areas (and to find where those other folks shine and incorporate their strengths somewhere else).

For my particular context: Some folks have kids, some don’t. We all live within 45 minute drives of each other.

I have 50 + acres. Tons of tools, sawmill ,dump trailer and skid steer. I have a km dirt road I've made and a few lots roughly cleared. Looking for adults only. Message with a bit about yourself and what you think would make you a good fit. Right now it is my self and My wife both mid 30s and we have turkeys ,chickens ,rabbits, sheep , goats ,a dog and cats. Things will grow as we do.

Hello,

New to this group, and have the beginnings of an intentional community, but we need to set up better frameworks and are looking for some general resources and experience.

Basically , we've just gotten to the point of needing to put things on paper.

So we have a few questions about starting an intentional community, and wondering if anyone knows any good "template" type resources or Q&A's for each of the following categories:

1. Legal organization types and options, contract options, classifications, etc, especially geared towards a labor, resources, and/or cash for equity type exchange that would include contingencies, especially for people being able to "cash out" and/or leave for any reason that protects all parties;

2. General codes of conduct

3. Membership requirements

4. Equity calculations, voting rights, meeting frequency, vesting, withdrawal limits or time-frames, etc.

5. liability insurance and liability release forms

6. general bylaws templates, whether in whole or snippets

Thanks in advance for any resources, and of course personal experience is welcome, while templates are a great starting point, we're very open to hearing about how to avoid pitfalls as well as essentially have contingencies set up.

We are coming from an East Coast and Southern upbringing, so I’d like to have time and space to adjust to the lifestyle and cultural changes before setting out on our own. We also are planning to spend time learning the money-making and job environment of the area in Cali.

I have visited Southern California and LA very briefly and it feels very different than the Southern culture that I grew up in. Are there any communities and low-income housing collectives to live so that we can become acquainted with the culture. I am hoping to be in areas where there are established spiritual communities or temples. Any recommendations of places or areas or where online to look?

We would like to do a work exchange too if we can find places like this. Temples or centers or shared living

Early 20s and late 20s

Any websites or spaces to look for this?

off grid natural simplex structure design flow inn energy network path way trail

i have found location crown land half hour ride away town Vancouver island

seek inn friend who is will one drive us prepare abode sacred site

someone will inn common deer wild give self thee go ahead okay circumstance

It feels rewarding when I organize a house or shop or kitchen then other people use it.

It feels extremely rewarding when I organize a house or shop or kitchen then other people start contributing time and effort to make it better.

It feels rewarding when I write software then other people use it.

It feels extremely rewarding when I write software then other people start contributing code to make it better.

I don't think I've previously seen such a clear parallel between my preferences for open source software development and intentional community organization.

Hi all,

We need to move from the US to Europe and are thinking about doing something we intended to do a few years later.

Can you suggest some known communities we can approach? We do look for one with our own living units and a good balance between autonomy and community. We have seen the Tamera documentary and that is a few steps too far, we have visited and stayed in one in SoCal and that was more what we looked for.

We are in our 50’s, kids on themselves and still working remotely from home.

Thanks in advance! HF

I’ll be traveling through Europe over the next few months and was wondering if anybody had any info/leads about crashing with intentional communities/ hippie communes, co-op houses, etc. I’ve done WWOOF and adjacent stuff, but this time I’m just trying to hang out for a few nights, meet awesome people, share cultures, etc. And of course, I’m willing to put in any work/ chores that would need to be done.

It’s a long shot question, but just in case anybody has insight. 🌈

There is lots of information about cohousing and well equiped ecovillages, but what about the other end of the IC spectrum, what about low rent/no rent ICs in the shadow of hurricane destruction welcoming of neurodivergent and queer folks? Where do you find reporting on such spaces? Well, if your friend with a zine library is not helping you, these spaces are quite difficult to find. Here is a report from one.

The Gargoyle Foundry

Norte Dame got nothing on these kids.

Can someone please lead me in some type of direction. My personality type is INFJ. I'm not adjusting to life in American society. Feel depressed anxious and used. I'm 30 I want to move to a intentional community on an island. Preferably nice weather year around. I want to meet more like minded people. I'm wanting to grow most the food I eat or a food forrest. Average day of work would be farming and working on the intentional community. Digital nomad life looks good too as long as it's in intentional community.

Pretty much the title.

I think honesty is the only way: I have about $60k, work remotely, and instead of investing what I have in a stock, I want to buy land in Costa Rica with people in similar situations (unhappy with a lack of community and a wish to live peacefully in a beautiful place). I am currently living here. Costa Rica is a beautiful, stable tropical country that is ripe with permaculturists, ecovillages and people living sustainably. Ticos (Costa Ricans) are a very kind and friendly people who are happy to have foreigners living here (despite what you may see on the Internet). Construction is very cheap, and there are thousands of suitable properties for an IC (that I cannot currently afford alone). With a few hundred thousand, a veritable compound with 5 houses on many hectares can be found.

My dream scenario is to find likeminded people (literally only thing that matters to me is you are interested in living in beautiful tropical country, are responsible and can support yourself in some way). It is very easy for foreigners to live in Costa Rica, even without getting a residency (and the options for residencies are reasonable). Of course there is a lot to learn and talk about with regard to the legal and financial stuff. It is easy to start a corporation here, which would be land owner with all buildings and produce from the land belonging to owners of the corporation (maybe you!).

If you are already engaged in something similar, please reach out or if this interests you, let's start talking. If you just want to tear my idea to shreds, well, be my guest.

If you are interested, please join this discord to discuss (it is very barebones at the moment.) https://discord.gg/qdEsfSKH

I’m seeking communities where I can live more sustainably and efficiently, near future or long-term. Or contacts with similar interests.

I am 38, male, currently single, gay, and able-bodied. Live in Canada but also have a US Visa option. Work remote in the tech industry so I can live anywhere. I have a vehicle, a salary, no debt, and no addictions.

I am progressive but have no allegiance to any party or politician. I vote based on policy, and typically prioritize environmental issues. I’m hoping to find other like-minded individuals to befriend, become neighbors, or otherwise collaborate with.

I’ve been looking at buying a piece of land but I’m also considering joining an existing community since that’s my ultimate goal. I think I’d be a great fit for helping out or managing a property. I’m also willing to invest.

Let’s chat!

Sounds like a great space with Catholic Worker type founders (though that is not specifically mentioned in the article)... If that's your jam, maybe contact them.

omg ... wtf am I even talking about?

I'm finding myself asking that question more and more frequently ... but maybe in this case I'm not so far off the mark.

For the most part, the real estate market works with developers building properties, focusing on whatever they can generate the most profit with.

That leaves regular people stuck paying high rent as they are forced into units that don't fit their want's and needs.

How about we flip the script? Build our own real estate.
User Generated Real Estate.

Implementation wouldn't be that complex.

Get a group of people who are willing to relocate.
Find a small town with cheap real estate.

Crowd fund enough $$ to get a renovation loan.
Buy an old building that needs a reno and build the property to meet our needs.

Anyone interested?

Hey y'all, my boyfriend and I are starting to plan our next trip exploring states we are wanting to settle down in.

We are hoping to connect with individuals that live in the area and are willing to host and or show us around.

We are traveling through north Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, and Southern Pennsylvania. We are heading out at the start of the new year this January.

We are interested in finding an area with friendly communities (does not have to be an established intentional community) that we can join.

If you are interested in connecting, please send me a personal message and we can set something up!

I'm interested in living in community again and have been researching various locations/opportunities. The list below is what I've put together so far, so I thought I'd share it in case it could be of help to others also searching.

• What other places should be added?
• If you've lived at any of the below and would feel comfortable sharing about your experience, please comment or DM me about pros and cons.
• I'm interested in living in an educational/arts community, but so far I've only come across art residencies and artist lofts/housing. Anyone know of any art colonies? Or craft schools that offer live-in positions?

Ananda Ashram: Monroe, NY

https://www.anandaashram.org/VolunteerProgram

Ananda Village (Expanding Light Retreat): Nevada City, CA

https://www.ananda.org/expanding-light-retreat/karma-yoga-ashram-experience/

Art of Living Retreat Center: Boone, NC

https://artoflivingretreatcenter.org/retreat-center/volunteers/

Bodhi Manda Zen Center: Jemez Springs, NM

https://bmzc.org/wwoofers

Camphill: Various locations

https://www.camphill.org/volunteer/

Drala Mountain Center: Red Feather Lakes, CO

https://www.dralamountain.org/dmc_stafflife/

Earthdance: Plainfield, MA

https://www.earthdance.net/work-exchange/

Earthaven Ecovillage: Black Mountain, NC

https://www.earthaven.org/live-and-work-at-earthaven/

Esalen Institute: Big Sur, CA

https://www.esalen.org/learn/residential-extended-education-program

Green Gulch Farm (SF Zen Center): Muir Beach, CA

https://www.sfzc.org/locations/green-gulch-farm/visits-stays-green-gulch/apprenticeship-programs-green-gulch

Himalayan Institute: Honesdale, PA

https://himalayaninstitute.org/about/join-our-community/residential-service-program/ 

Insight Meditation Society: Barre, MA

https://www.dharma.org/get-involved/volunteering/month-long/

Kalani: Pahoa, HI

https://kalani.com/service-learning/

Land of Medicine Buddha: Soquel, CA

https://landofmedicinebuddha.org/about/join-us/

L’Arche: Various locations

https://www.larcheusa.org/get-involved/careers/apply/

Llama Foundation: Questa, NM

https://www.lamafoundation.org/engage/summer-steward/

Lost Valley Education Center: Dexter, OR

https://www.lostvalley.org/work-opportunities & https://www.lostvalley.org/internship-opportunity

Menla: Phoenicia, NY

https://menla.org/volunteer-at-menla/

Mount Madonna Center: Watsonville, CA

https://mountmadonna.org/about/volunteer-opportunities/

North Cascades Institute: Woolley & Diablo, WA

https://ncascades.org/discover/jobs

Nyingmain Institute: Berkeley, CA

https://nyingmainstitute.com/work-study-details/

Odiyan: Cazadero, CA

https://odiyan.org/volunteer-experience/

Omega Institute: Rhinebeck, NY

https://www.eomega.org/jobs-service/seasonal-staff-volunteer-opportunities

Padmasambhava Peace Institute: Cazadero, CA

https://padmapeace.org/volunteer/

Ratna Ling: Cazadero, CA

https://volunteer.ratnaling.org

San Francisco Zen Center: San Francisco, CA

https://www.sfzc.org/locations/city-center/visits-stays-city-center/apprenticeship-programs-city-center

Shoshoni: Rollinsville, CO

https://www.shoshoni.org/about-us/volunteer/

Sivananda Yoga Farm: Grass Valley, CA

https://sivanandayogafarm.org/karma-yoga/

Sivananda Yoga Ranch: Woodbourne, NY

https://sivanandayogaranch.org/karma-yoga/

Snow Farm: Williamsburg, MA

https://www.snowfarm.org/work-study

Song of the Morning: Vanderbilt, MI

https://www.songofthemorning.org/karma-yoga-program

Stanford Sierra Retreat Center: Fallen Leaf, CA

https://stanfordsierra.com/employment-opportunities/

Sunburst: Lompoc, CA

https://sunburst.org/karmayoga/

Tara Mandala: Pagosa Springs, CO

https://www.taramandala.org/connect/employment-opportunities/

Tassajara (SF Zen Center): Carmel Valley, CA

https://www.sfzc.org/locations/tassajara/zen-practice-opportunities/tassajara-summer-practice

Vajrapani Institute: Boulder Creek, CA

https://vajrapani.org/employment-and-volunteering/

YMCA Blue Ridge Assembly: Black Mountain, NC

https://blueridgeassembly.org/join/

Yogaville: Buckingham, VA

https://www.yogaville.org/programs/residential-programs/residential-volunteer-program/

-----

12/6/24: Edited to put in ABC order, add to the list, and fix locations of Odiyan & Nyingmain.

Edited to add to the list on these dates: 12/7/24 & 12/9/24

Possibly Mixed ages, communicable disease resistant set up with some live in workers with rooms in exchange for part time work and income from part time job or govt. It needs to be near multiple transportation choices. So many intentional communities are in remote areas where a car is needed. I'm thinking maybe a converted apartment building in a safe and quiet area. As for myself I'm 71 with limited time to sit and stand and with depression and health anxiety so I need help and first floor living with no elevators. Multiple co-owners of the property. I like the idea of a great climate without cold winters or hot summers. California I know is expensive, as is Hawaii. So where? How could this kind of community work? Living in regular housing with only nuclear family or empty nest isn't appropriate for me.

i’m currently a uni student that’s been looking for something like an intentional community for a long time. i want to apply to one soon after i graduate and i’ve read here that knowing a trade can boost your application a bit. what are some trades I can start learning from home now that’ll help me in the long run ?

EDIT: We're having an open meeting on Thursday, Dec 12, at 3PM PST, on our Discord. Event Link

Hello, again. You may remember me from my cross country IC tour earlier this year, or my attempts to buy this same Oregon property 3-4 years ago. My most recent intentional community effort ended due to a house fire and some problematic members, and I'm almost ready to try again.

I want to buy (alone, as a business, as a co-op, or otherwise) a boarding school west of Portland and fill it with 5-10 groups of 10-20 people, where each group has some shared interests and goals (like a standalone intentional community) and the groups share the property and larger amenities for all of their benefit.

The property has two houses, two dorms with many rooms and some apartments, commercial and residential kitchens, science labs, fabrication shops, a gymnasium, spring fed fresh water, on-site wastewater treatment, a small orchard and vineyard, and a total of 50 acres of land.

I've just updated the website at http://CoDwell.org with some new info and links to our social media and Discord. I'd love to answer questions here or privately. Get in touch if you want to be part of this project and/or to help make it a reality.

Need Advice: How Can We Boost Engagement on EcoStarters.com?

Hi everyone,

We’re looking for feedback and advice to improve EcoStarters.com. Our goal is to build a vibrant, eco-conscious community, but we’re currently struggling with low engagement.

If you’ve visited the site, we’d love to hear your thoughts! Is there anything we can change or improve to make it more appealing, interactive, or useful?

All suggestions are welcome—big or small! Thanks in advance for your help. 💚

https://www.facebook.com/ecostarter

try our demo account to view more
Username: demo
Password: demo1demo!

We are looking for a conscious, intentional community in the US that abstains from alcohol, understands trauma and addiction and accepts families and is affordable?

I am an entertainer, a juggler, but really need to put more training hours in to go full time with the juggling, and thought an intentional community might be a good place to get those hours in? What do y'all think, is this not a practical idea, if it is, what might be some good choices? Thank you you all so much for your time and help!

1.should you run credit checks and background checks?

1. Should you have firm rules about deposit fees paid upfront

2. Should you confirm rental history?

3. Should you confirm income 2 times greater than rent?

When you look at the websites of most Intentional communities you see a bunch of people in a big group hug with big warm loving smiles on their faces.

However, my peace and love tank is now empty. I now understand why people charge deposits upfront. And why they don't welcome everyone with a big smile and open arms. And why they have procedures to remove people who aren't paying on time.

How do you vet people for community without making them feel unwelcome because you they feel you are treating them like a line item in an accounting spreadsheet?

Hi everyone, my partners and I are the the final stages of buying the property for our community. We're a group of artists, designers, makers, fabricators, woodworkers, and assorted creatives; we've been going to Burning Man for the past twenty years and we're all excited to finally have a space where we can all share our knowledge, expertise, and tools for communal areas for/with:

• Welding, fabrication, machine shop
• Woodshop
• Makerspace
• Mechanics garage
• Art space

In the months to come, we'd like to invite a few more people to join our little enclave, and we're wondering how other communities have built themselves and invited people to join. Did you run ads, post on message boards, request written referrals, or was it word-of-mouth?

I’m interested in living and working part-time on a small farm until March.

I work on my family’s farm in Northern Washington State during our growing season (March to October) and I’m looking for somewhere that is growing year round.

I would contribute 15-20 hours of work each week and be willing to pay renton top of that. Only requirement would be that I’d need to do the farm work around my 9-5pm remote job which I would need good internet for (I could bring Starlink too)

Or if an IC is open to chatting about setting up a farm I’d be up to help with that too

Hi everyone! 🌱

I’m looking for LGBTQ+-friendly intentional communities in Europe that welcome newcomers. My dream is to find a space where we can focus on sustainability, creativity, and a strong sense of connection. Ideally, it would be a place that values inclusivity and perhaps offers opportunities for co-living or collaborative projects.

If you’re part of such a community or know of one, I’d love to hear about it! Suggestions for online forums, directories, or even local meetups would also be super helpful. Thanks in advance! 💚✨

I’m from Italy btw..

I'm currently creating an app with my college friends to help money/income-sharing communities pool their money together! We came up with the idea after spending time in multiple grassroots/student organizations struggling to manage finances without piling all the responsibilities on a single treasurer with whom there could be hard-to-solve trust issues and incredible amounts of calculation labor.

In building this app, we have big visions and we hope to build a finance app that can fit every community. So far, we have an app in which members can pool their money together, and then jointly approve withdrawals to ensure everybody is aware of and consents to the financial transactions occurring on the account. Which members can approve withdrawals and how many need to approve a withdrawal before it executes is totally customizable, and falls in line with our mission which is to support every unique community situation out there.

Currently, we only have a prototype and a dream. So before releasing, I wanted to ask you all what kinds of problems you face with your finances in your communities? How do you currently manage your community's finances, and what kinds of features would be help you manage them more easily? We would love to hear your stories and suggestions to better inform our choices so that people forming communes in the future don't have to struggle through the financial complexities of forming a commune from the ground up. Please let us know any ideas you have and we'll try our best to incorporate them into our app!

I’ve got a small business that’s been running since 2011. I’m going to host monthly gatherings called (as of now) connect through creativity, this is something I’ve wanted to do for a while, to build a space where people can come to find new friends, come to have genuine interactions, to have tech free engagement with other people. I know a lot of people feel isolated and lonely and I know most of us are going to need community support in the coming future. My ultimate goal is to build a strong community, that’s welcoming, cares for each other and looks out for each other and is supportive but I’d love for it to be badass and will fight for people when they need it. In saying that, I want it to grow organically, I don’t want to force a narrative I want to have building blocks and knowledge to make it happen

I do client based skincare for a living so zero education in any community activism. If anyone has good resources for learning how to build a strong foundation for building community, how to be functionally supportive not theoretically, I’d appreciate it.

I learn best from audio/video sources I’ve got pretty solid adhd -I’m running a client based business and I just started medical coding classes just in case my business doesn’t last the next 4 years.

Thank you for any advice I’m open to it.