Joining a Commune or Intentional Community

    Embrace community, sustainability, and connection living together for a shared future.

    Joining a commune or intentional community means becoming part of a collective that emphasizes sustainable living, shared resources, and collaborative decision-making. It’s a lifestyle change, a commitment to a more self-sufficient way of life, and a conscious shift away from the typical consumer-driven society. In this scenario, you’ll be introduced to the practicalities of living in such a community, how the shared economy works, the roles within the group, and the lifestyle adjustments you'll make in order to fit into this unique way of life.

      Time

    • 7:00 AM: Waking up to the sound of birds and other residents in the commune starting their day. The smell of fresh coffee and baked bread fills the air as you head to the shared kitchen to help prepare breakfast.

      8:00 AM: You and other members gather for a community meeting where everyone discusses the day's tasks, events, and any pressing issues. Decisions are made democratically, and everyone’s voice is valued.

      12:00 PM: The communal garden becomes a place for lunch. People work in small groups, tending to the plants and picking fresh vegetables for meals.

      3:00 PM: In the afternoon, you and fellow residents participate in a workshop on sustainable living practices, like building solar panels or maintaining the community's renewable energy systems.

      6:00 PM: Dinner is a shared experience, with residents taking turns cooking meals for the entire group. The conversation flows easily, covering topics ranging from personal stories to philosophy to community projects.

    • Must See Locations:

    • Overview: A peaceful eco-community located within lush nature, focusing on organic farming, wellness, and a holistic lifestyle.:

      Landmarks: Organic vegetable gardens, open-air yoga spaces, sustainable architecture.:

      Tips: Spend time in the communal spaces to get a feel for daily life-conversations with fellow community members will give insight into the personal rewards and challenges of communal living.:

      EcoVillage (Ithaca, NY, USA)

      Overview: A diverse intentional community that promotes ecological sustainability and social responsibility through collective living and cooperative decision-making.:

      Landmarks: Solar-powered homes, community kitchen, shared communal gardens, cooperative grocery stores.:

      Tips: Participate in a workshare program to understand the responsibilities you'll take on, from farming to event planning.:

      Tamera (Alentejo, Portugal)

      Overview: A research and residential community based on peaceful coexistence, ecological sustainability, and humanitarian work.:

      Landmarks: Permaculture farms, alternative energy setups, natural building projects.:

      Tips: Attend one of Tamera's open workshops or community events to understand their approach to conflict resolution and cooperation.:

    • More Locations:

    • The Farm (Anderson Valley, California, USA)

      Earthaven Ecovillage (Black Mountain, North Carolina, USA)

      Crystal Waters (Queensland, Australia)

      The Fellowship of Intentional Communities (FIC) (Multiple Locations)

      Sunrise Ranch (Loveland, Colorado, USA)

      Damanhur (Piemonte, Italy)

      EcoFarm (Mendocino, California, USA)

      Finca El Pedregal (Granada, Spain)

      The Yurt Village (Portland, Oregon, USA)

      Cascadia Commons (Portland, Oregon, USA)

      Auroville (Puducherry, India)

      Twin Oaks Community (Louisa, Virginia, USA)

      Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage (Rutledge, Missouri, USA)

      The Greenhouse (St. Louis, Missouri, USA)

      EcoCommunity (Ithaca, New York, USA)

      Seed Savers Exchange (Decorah, Iowa, USA)

      Arcosanti (Cordes Junction, Arizona, USA)

      Earthships (Taos, New Mexico, USA)

      Nurturing Nature Community (Boulder, Colorado, USA)

      The Farm Sanctuary (Watkins Glen, New York, USA)

      The Mandala Eco-Village (Costa Rica)

      Cob Cottage Company (Oregon, USA)

      La Cumbre (New Mexico, USA)

      Gaia Education (UK, Spain)

      Koinonia Farm (Americus, Georgia, USA)

    • Themes

    • Community, Sustainability, Cooperation, Self-Sufficiency, Ecological Living

    • Interactive Businesses

    • 1. Airbnb: For communal living stays

      2. Earthaven Ecovillage: Sustainable community tours

      3. Tamera: Sustainability and community-building workshops

      4. The Farm Sanctuary: Animal sanctuary visit and volunteer programs

      5. Green Building Supply: Sustainable building materials

      6. Permaculture Institute: Permaculture training and workshops

      7. Commune Living Handbook: Books and guides for living in communes

      8. EcoCamp: Eco-tourism and educational experiences

      9. Ecovillage Network: Global network of ecovillages

      10. Auroville Visitors Center: Guided community tours

      11. Seed Savers Exchange: Nonprofit focused on heirloom seeds

      12. Global Ecovillage Network: International ecovillage resources

      13. Gaia Education: Sustainability and community living courses

      14. Grow Your Own: Organic gardening products

      15. Earthship Biotecture: Off-grid homes and workshops

      16. Fairhaven Farm: Cooperative farming

      17. Woolman Semester School: Sustainable living education

      18. The Land Institute: Sustainable agriculture research

      19. Network for a Better World: International grassroots organizations

      20. Transition Network: Sustainability resources and movement

      21. GrubHub: Local restaurant delivery to commune living spaces

      22. Etsy: Products for sustainable living

      23. REI: Camping gear for nature-based communities

      24. Amazon: For organic gardening tools

      25. Costco: Bulk groceries for communal kitchens

      26. Community Supported Agriculture: CSA

      27. Lowes: For eco-friendly home improvement

      28. Walmart: For basic necessities in rural living

      29. Patagonia: Eco-conscious clothing and gear

      30. Instagram: To connect with other intentional communities

      31. Pinterest: For shared projects and sustainable living ideas

      32. Google Maps: For navigating between communes

      33. Uber: For traveling between community locations

      34. Lyft: Transport to nearby towns or cities

      35. Airbnb: For alternative housing arrangements

      36. EcoLodge: For eco-friendly accommodation

      37. Healing Power Herbs: Herbal remedies

      38. Whole Foods Market: Organic groceries

      39. Boxed: For bulk groceries and supplies

      40. Thrive Market: Sustainable products for communal living

      41. Backcountry: For outdoor gear for nature-based communities

      42. Uber Eats: For occasional meals from local restaurants

      43. Zero Waste Home: For sustainable living products

      44. Earth Day Network: For global sustainability initiatives

      45. Community Exchange System: Local currency and exchange networks

      46. Friends of the Earth: For environmental advocacy

      47. Greenpeace: For environmental activism

      48. Goodwill: For second-hand clothing and goods

      49. Keep America Beautiful: For environmental and community clean-up initiatives

      50. Buy Nothing Project: Local community sharing platform

    • Set-Up Spots

    • 1. Airbnb (Find a temporary commune or eco-village to experience)

      2. Meetup (Find local sustainability or commune living groups)

      3. Etsy (Shop for eco-friendly home goods)

      4. Amazon (Order organic seeds for your future community garden)

      5. Whole Foods Market (Stock up on eco-friendly food products)

      6. REI (Get sustainable camping and living gear)

      7. Pinterest (Get ideas for sustainable home and community design)

      8. Local Farmers Market (Shop for locally sourced products)

      9. The Home Depot (For supplies to build or fix community infrastructure)

      10. GrubHub (Order from a local farm-to-table restaurant)

    • Must-Haves

    • • Reusable Water Bottle:

      • Organic Gardening Tools:

      • Solar-Powered Charger:

      • Eco-Friendly Bedding:

      • Biodegradable Soap:

      • Community Notebook (For planning):

      • Sustainable Clothing:

      • Cooperative Membership Card:

      • Phone for Emergency Calls:

      • Natural Cleaning Products:

    • Notable Product Mentions:

    • • Solar-Powered Lantern (For eco-communities)

      • Hydroponic Gardening Kits (For urban communes)

      • Water Filtration Systems (For off-grid living)

      • Composting Toilets (For sustainable living)

      • Bamboo Clothing (For eco-friendly fashion)

    • Drawbacks

    • • Limited Privacy: Shared spaces mean limited personal space.

      • Unpredictable Group Dynamics: It can be challenging to find consensus on issues.

      • Limited Access to Conventional Goods: Local shops may have a limited selection.

      • Weather Dependence: Life outdoors can be impacted by weather conditions.

      • Adjusting to Alternative Lifestyles: Living without conventional amenities can be difficult.

      • Conflict Resolution: Managing disagreements within a group can be stressful.

      • Rural Location: Many communes are in remote areas, requiring long trips to town.

    • Habits

    • • Early Morning Work: Many communes begin with collective labor early in the day.

      • Weekly Meetings: Communities often gather to discuss goals and progress.

      • Shared Meals: Communal dining is a significant part of daily life.

      • Outdoor Work: Most communes engage in eco-friendly farming or gardening.

      • Eco-Project Collaboration: Building and maintaining sustainable infrastructure together.

      • Mutual Aid: Helping others with personal projects or needs.

      • Spiritual Practice: Many communes incorporate daily meditation or reflection.

    • Exit Strategy

    • • Transition to Independent Living: Move back into a traditional home once you're ready.

      • Relocate to Another Commune: Try living in a different type of community.

      • Start Your Own Commune: Apply your knowledge and start a new community.

      • Disconnect from the Commune: Take time off to recharge before returning.

      • Leave for Travel: Take a break from communal living for travel and exploration.

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