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.

I just found out phalansteries which are interior Communes with dorms, libraries, workshops, and kitchens. Imagine converting an abandoned building into a phalanstery, or any building, is it possible?

Hey hope this is allowed. I work for a new site called Ecostarters.com and they are looking to engage new members. Come check them out! Thank you.

🌱 Join Ecostarters Today! 🌍

Looking to start or grow your eco-community? 🤝 At Ecostarters.com, we’re making it easier for people like you to connect, collaborate, and build sustainable living projects.

✨ Here’s what you can do on Ecostarters:
✅ List your current projects to attract new members or resources.
✅ Create or join public and private groups to build a team for your project.
✅ Access agreement templates to simplify project planning.
✅ Engage in our global chat to connect with eco-minded individuals worldwide!

💡 Whether you're starting from scratch or adding to an existing project, Ecostarters has the tools to bring your vision to life. 🌟

👉 Ready to make a difference? Join us at Ecostarters.com and take the next step toward creating a sustainable future. 🌳

Let’s grow a better world together! 🌏💚

#Ecostarters #EcoLiving #SustainableCommunity #EcoFriendly

Is it still around? If not, anyone know how long they lasted, or other recent details? Behaviorist here, curious how long the experiment lasted, or has lasted.

Hi, I recently bought a camper ive been living in and want to find an intentional community (hopefully near michigan) that i can live in, if anyone has any ideas or directions to point me in, that'd be awesome.

I'm an eighteen year old thinking about visiting/joining Twin Oaks, but worried there will be very few other young people (or around 18-25), is there anyone who has been there and knows about the age range? :)

I’m looking for people that want to be part-time farmers. My family have always been small-time farmers, currently on a 5th generation farm in the Pacific Northwest.

I’m a part-time farmer. Every season I spend 10-15 hours per week supporting my family’s farm. I believe there is a model where a group of about five part-time farmers per acre farmed (ex. 20 part time workers on 5 acres. can make a sustainable and scalable farm operation.

I’m serious about giving this project a go and want to find other fun but hard-working people that want to put in the work necessary to make this project happen. I’ll be sharing progress made so far on info sessions I’ll be hosting found at TheSunflowerCollective.org Hope you can join :)

Edit: To clarify this isn’t something that would happen on land or a farm operation owned by me or my family. This would be a new start up built with equity in mind! There’s a few organization vehicles to support this!

I’ve been broken down and decided modern society isn’t for me. I was looking at an IC that really spoke to me but I unfortunately have student debt and likely will apply for bankruptcy for cc debt (yeah bad living) and they don’t allow it.

Hello,

I’m currently planning a year long road trip hitting all National parks in the contiguous states with the opened ended possibility of hitting Alaska. Im trying to see if there are any people out there that would like to pool resources and join me on the trip. I’m 34, male, LGBTQ friendly, left ideology. No tolerance for sexism, racism or homophobia. As for now, the plan is in the very beginning but I’d hope to start the journey around April of 2025.

I plan to take my older e250 with a very basic build at the moment. It’s older and a little suspect but it did get me from MA-FL-CA-MA-FL-MA last year with no issues. I also have all basic camping gear, solar(180 watt mounted with 2 additional panels I could possibly mount) and electric cooler fridge freezer. I can do a lot of auto repairs so I take a decent amount of tools just in case as well. I wouldn’t expect to be sleeping in the van with others except for emergencies. I’m open to ditching the van for a more fuel efficient passenger vehicle if others join or maybe we could take multiple vehicles depending on others ability to finance that.

As for expenses, I alone would need to keep the costs down. I’ll be operating on about $1000/mo income and savings. As such, I figure I’d need to keep unnecessary mileage down and camping costs minimal. Would be looking for dispersed camping when possible, hitting other free and low cost camping spots when dispersed camping is unavailable. I’d also like to do some backcountry camping at parks with this option. To keep food costs down I expect to eat loads of rice/quinoa, beans, veggies and eggs. (Not to say there aren’t endless delicious options with these ingredients) I’m pescatarian and eat fish occasionally too.

As you see I can only provide basics at the moment but I’ll be digging into the detail day by day until April. I’ll be working on a general itinerary and try to get a basic cost analysis as soon as possible. If you’re interested and want to know more please reach out. Obviously think we’d need a trial camping session with any interested parties to get to know each other and ensure we fit for a long close knit journey.

Additionally, I own a home in MA with 2 small 2 bedrooms on it. It is currently rented but I have lately been intrigued with the idea of turning this property into a cooperative at some point. The only problem being, I will not to evict my tenants and unless they can be convinced to participate in the coop or they move willingly it’ll probably not get too far.

My boyfriend and I are moving to become first-time homesteaders.  Looking for a small ambitious community to be our permanent permaculture neighbors.

Our short list of states we are interested in right now are Pennsylvania, Virginia, North Carolina, and Georgia. Any insight and recommendations in these states are much appreciated.

We are already using ic.org to look for intentional communities in these areas. If anyone here is interested in community with us, my plan is to visit first, then buy a house nearby.  Send a message or comment with any assistance, questions, or directions toward what we are looking for.

The Integration Center model is an open business plan enabling anyone to build a community that simultaneously heals individuals, society and the natural environment.

It's not easy, but it is pro-active and doable... a way to take individual action that has real potential to shift our culture away from its unhealthy trajectory, while providing a safer place to ride out the waves of that societal/climactic disfunction.

It is presented at: IntegrationCenter.org

Participation, feedback, and constructive criticism are all welcome. Both in the overall business plan, and in the instance of that plan that I have been working on.

A Transformative New Life Program for Sustainable Living: Revitalize Your Soul, Mind, and Body Beyond Traditional Marriage and Family Structures in Lifechanyuan International Family Society Thailand Branch

From the experience of our community, you will get below information:

1. Introduction to Lifechanyuan Philosophy - A belief in the true God （The Greatest Creator) that transcends any religion. - Offers a unique spiritual perspective beyond traditional faiths.
2. Experience of a Noble and Natural Life - Life free from marriage, family ties, romantic or sexual desires. - Emphasis on elegance, purity, and grace, akin to heavenly people.
3. Witnessing a New Era of Transformation - Observing the pioneering stage of significant societal changes. - A shift towards a new way of life and consciousness.
4. Real Miracle and Healing Experience - Case of cancer recovery and mental illness disappearance. - Rejuvenation and the realization of youth.
5. Understanding the True Kingdom of God (The Greatest Creator) - A deeper comprehension of the Kingdom of God (The Greatest Creator) as described by Jesus Christ. - Visualizing and grasping the essence of a divine realm.
6. Experiencing God (The Greatest Creator)’s Love and Grace - Experiencing God (The Greatest Creator)’s compassion through Lifechanyuan. - Embracing this love within the Second Home International Community.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Our Thai community is located in a peaceful and beautiful ecovillage supported by the local temple. It is approximately 180km away from Chiang Mai city and 80km away from Chiang Rai city. The ecovillage was started in September 2020 and currently has 12 members living together. Our aim is to create and build a new lifestyle model for people who are kind, diligent, simple, honest, trustworthy, and who would love to contribute themselves to human peace and sustainable development of the world.

Our farm has a beautiful natural environment, with faraway mountains surrounded by fairyland clouds and mists. You can hear melodious birdsong from the rain trees throughout the day. We have beautiful flowers blooming under the sunshine, and all kinds of organic vegetables are lush and neatly planted in the fields. Ducks are chasing and playing in the river happily, while buffalos and horses are grazing leisurely on the open grassland. People living here are diligent, kind, happy and most civilized, they joke and laugh a lot every day, creating a paradise filled with love and auspiciousness.

The Thailand branch has a total area of 80 acres, including residential areas, a public kitchen, activity halls, pavilions, grassland, woodlands, vegetable and flower gardens, orchards, banana forests, rivers, and small lakes. In addition to members of our community, we also have some neighbors living in the courtyard. We help and get along with each other happily and harmoniously.

We welcome people from all over the world, regardless of your backgrounds, races, religions, cultures, and nations. As long as you are interested in this new lifestyle mode, please come to visit us, experience this happy and simple life together, and help create, improve, and perfect this new lifestyle mode for all kind and lovely people on earth! We wish you a happy and unforgettable stay.

https://preview.redd.it/d0jtths8s90e1.jpg?width=800&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=0c9d74e6115231849fcf972ed2505fe6b6fb8615

https://preview.redd.it/abyk89i6t90e1.jpg?width=800&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=df2cd320c2a0386795528469eba1771e33debd97

https://preview.redd.it/1ns8lzxfs90e1.jpg?width=800&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=584ee32bfe50101f98e94db804960aa17ea14c20

https://preview.redd.it/aj9ovj9zs90e1.jpg?width=800&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=10d1c8c782fa607c3ebdee67dc1c93703be7d192

https://preview.redd.it/eg9b5ww1t90e1.jpg?width=800&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=b76747edebe4b0fb99b9a612ae5da95e6bd22f75

Please see more information from:

https://lifechanyuanvalues.wordpress.com/2024/11/11/why-did-i-choose-lifechanyuan/

https://lifechanyuanvalues.wordpress.com/2024/11/09/a-transformative-new-life-program-for-sustainable-living-the-second-home-of-lifechanyuan/

https://lifechanyuanvalues.wordpress.com/2024/11/09/the-wonderful-videos-of-lifechanyuan-thailand-branch/

Hi All, looking to spend my December grounding with community and I’ve been shared the Pachamama Retreat center in Costa Rica. It looks amazing and exactly what I’m hoping to experience (workshops, healing, nature) but I’m curious if there are other great ecovillages or communities in other areas - Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Costa Rica, etc.

Looking for a LGBTQ focused community that will accept disabled members Preferably an ecovillage or somewhere you can grow you own food

Hello friends! Title mostly says it all, I'm wondering if you all can point me in the right direction?

Who: Two young adults looking to settle down and have a baby/start a family. Eventually would like to rope in other family members if possible.

What: Looking to learn to garden and farm in a climate resilient part of the world. We have experience in some of these areas!

When: In 6 months to a year and a half.

How: Preferably through home ownership eventually or becoming a part of an LLC, land trust etc. with a bit of legal security. Totally willing to rent or live alongside any community first with the eventual goal of buying in somehow OR going straight to the buying stage if we visit and seem aligned and all that.

I've been looking into places in Oregon, Washington, Montana, around the Asheville area Michigan, Minnesota, Wisconsin....

Does anyone have any suggestions? I keep finding amazing co-housing groups without the farmland or farms that have a work exchange but it is unclear if there are longer term prospects for us to have some pathway or ownership and grow our family.

Y'all are experts. Seriously. I'm amazed by the things you've been finding for people on this reddit, haha. Would welcome any suggestions at all if anyone finds and reads this!!

A coworker and I are both moving to a new state soon and are both interested in pooling assets to buy a home together. We're interested in buying more home than the both of us need (but can still afford just the two of us) with the intention of maximizing roommates. Everyone gets more home and amenities to enjoy, plus a community, plus everyone's rent is less than if they lived on their own, wins all around.

For anyone who's done this: What are some things to look out for? We're hoping to have roommates in our same small career field that are cool people, vetting before letting them be roommates. How do we handle payments? Rent from everyone plus utilities plus any shared repair costs that are needed? Should we draft legal contracts still and incur the legal fees and make it a more formal rental system?

Do you have to pay money to live in a commune? How do people earn money living on a commune? Do they drive to work like normal? Or do they make money with jobs they work living there?

Hi Reddit! I’m wondering if anyone has heard of a community that fits my dreams. My husband and I have been exploring different communities since we started dating. We’ve lived at a few more transient, commune style ones. Ultimately, we left because we knew we wanted to start a family and couldn’t imagine how it would be possible within communities that were organized around work trade / transient visitors. Since then, we’ve had our first baby!

We miss community life - we’re looking for a community that is designed in a co housing format (ish). We don’t want to work trade for housing and food. Mostly we want to live super close to likeminded families, share things like garden spaces, gatherings, meals. I have found a lot of communities with this design of the directory, but there’s always a catch: they are either bizarrely expensive (way more expensive than renting or buying a regular plot / apartment / house), or they have NO young people.

So to sum up: looking for a cohousing model with young families that is reasonably affordable for people who work regular jobs :)

We strongly prefer to stay on the coasts, but if something PERFECT exists in the middle of the country I am open to hearing about it!

Hi, I'm from Colombia and I'd like to know if there are currently any existing or planned communities / ecovillages in Colombia besides those listed in https://www.ic.org/directory/

I'm open to the possibility of moving to one and living off-grid, so let me know if there is anything new or if you are interested in cooperating to create one,

Thanks.

In light of everything, I'm wondering the options. Yes I know about checking IC.org, also I've been looking at Catholic worker website, wwoofing, workaway and campHill. Just wondering if anyone here is directly connected with one of these outside of the US communities, since a direct connection often goes a long way. Looking for an English speaking (or bilingual with English) community that doesn't have a large price point buy in and provides housing and other basic needs in exchange for volunteering/working and that is safe for young kids. We have experience with this within the US.

TIA.

Hi there! My family owns a boutique, Willow Cottage in Grapevine TX and I'm looking for some unique products we can get in the shop. We really want to bring in a brand/products that can set us apart from everything available on Amazon or big box stores, and has a story we can share and believe in.

I really would love to support an intentional community with our shop because it's something I believe in but not really an option for me to join with right now.

We have a focus on bath products and lounge ware currently, and we're interested in branching out so don't hesitate to reach out!

Please look us up if you want an idea of what we have, I don't think posting a link here would be ok but not sure.

I’m currently in a season of life that has opportunity staring me in my face under my nose and I don’t know what to do with it by myself and I want to be able to share it with like minded success driven individuals. I’m sitting on 11 useable acres and have 5 more raw acres of land 10 minutes down the road. On June 1st I have just the five acres unless I can get a few people up here to start a permaculture agroforest with a micro green room and a 100 ft greenhouse there’s beds already to plant in the spring and I have all the starts seeds trays lights and racks for the micro greens. I’m renting this earthship with the option to buy it and I just need like minded success driven gardeners and farmers with experience. I have years of garden and landscaping and construction. Contact me if interested.

For all you asking, Where, How to get community, homesteading experience....

71 yr old hippy. 50 years off grid, homesteading, community experience. Variety of skills and experience. Willing to share for an exchange of energies.

On Big Island of Hawai'i. 21 acre organic farm . 12 folks.

I need help doing stuff. From machete the jungle to gardening to building upkeep, harvesting fruit and avocados etc.

1 mile from Ocean, 4 miles to clothing optional black sand beach.

I have a 10x10 structure for a helper.

How can we be mutually beneficial ?