ints:intentional_communities

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ints:intentional_communities [2025/11/26 18:06] – created asimongints:intentional_communities [2025/12/17 04:30] (current) – external edit 127.0.0.1
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 There are lots of ways to live communally, from shared houses to communes to traditional villages, but we're talking here about _intentional_ communities - groups of people who come together _intentionally_ to share various aspects of their lives; the extent of the sharing depends on the community. There are lots of ways to live communally, from shared houses to communes to traditional villages, but we're talking here about _intentional_ communities - groups of people who come together _intentionally_ to share various aspects of their lives; the extent of the sharing depends on the community.
  
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 There are differences as regards organisation too. Some are very communal, some are loose-knit; some share income, some don’t; some share meals, some don’t; some share one big house, some have separate houses around the property; some are urban, some are rural; some require new members to have capital, some you can just join and start paying rent; some are registered [housing co-ops](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/lowimpact-topic/housing-co-operatives/), some are land trusts, and some are owned by individuals. There are differences as regards organisation too. Some are very communal, some are loose-knit; some share income, some don’t; some share meals, some don’t; some share one big house, some have separate houses around the property; some are urban, some are rural; some require new members to have capital, some you can just join and start paying rent; some are registered [housing co-ops](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/lowimpact-topic/housing-co-operatives/), some are land trusts, and some are owned by individuals.
  
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 There is also the germ of a movement towards new rural self-build communities, such as [Lammas](http://lammas.org.uk/) and the [Ecological Land Co-op](http://www.ecologicalland.coop/). There is also the germ of a movement towards new rural self-build communities, such as [Lammas](http://lammas.org.uk/) and the [Ecological Land Co-op](http://www.ecologicalland.coop/).
  
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 There was a wave of hippie commune formation in the late 60s & 70s, some of which are still around. Longevity involves solid structures when it comes to legal and financial matters, along with responsibility when it comes to work and membership. There's not so much tie-dye or free love around nowadays (you’d probably find more in the suburbs), although environmental and social concerns are still important. There was a wave of hippie commune formation in the late 60s & 70s, some of which are still around. Longevity involves solid structures when it comes to legal and financial matters, along with responsibility when it comes to work and membership. There's not so much tie-dye or free love around nowadays (you’d probably find more in the suburbs), although environmental and social concerns are still important.
  
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 - Good places to grow old – always useful things to do, experience is valued, always company. - Good places to grow old – always useful things to do, experience is valued, always company.
  
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 - Internal recycling in the form of books, clothes, CDs, furniture etc. - Internal recycling in the form of books, clothes, CDs, furniture etc.
  
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 - Can buy consumables in bulk. - Can buy consumables in bulk.
  
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 How many people would you like to live with, ideally? Would you prefer a large community with lots going on, or a small, intimate group, more like a family? How much are you happy sharing (meals, bathrooms, income, gardens)? What part of the country, or the world, would you like to live in, and in a rural or urban location? Are you looking for a place with a specific philosophy, or a particular age group, focused on practical work, or personal development, or with no focus? How many people would you like to live with, ideally? Would you prefer a large community with lots going on, or a small, intimate group, more like a family? How much are you happy sharing (meals, bathrooms, income, gardens)? What part of the country, or the world, would you like to live in, and in a rural or urban location? Are you looking for a place with a specific philosophy, or a particular age group, focused on practical work, or personal development, or with no focus?
  
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 See our resources for more on communal living. Making decisions and getting along together are crucial in a community. See '[Personal development](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/categories/personal-development)' books and links for information about conflict resolution, and consensus decision-making. Consensus isn't the only decision-making process that works for intentional communities, but it often works well - you don't want a group splitting into factions, and it's not brilliant to have some members who aren't on board with a decision that's been made. See our resources for more on communal living. Making decisions and getting along together are crucial in a community. See '[Personal development](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/categories/personal-development)' books and links for information about conflict resolution, and consensus decision-making. Consensus isn't the only decision-making process that works for intentional communities, but it often works well - you don't want a group splitting into factions, and it's not brilliant to have some members who aren't on board with a decision that's been made.
  
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 There are directories of intentional communities in the UK, in Europe, in North America and the world - see our links page. Some communities require you to buy a share of the property, or to buy a unit. Others don't require any money at all - you just start paying rent. Most communities welcome visitors, either paying or working. Many have regular visitor days. An excellent way to visit communities is by joining [WWOOF](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/lowimpact-topic/wwoofing/ "WWOOFing"). And here's an [Australian manual](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/intentional_communities_manual.pdf) that includes information on visiting communities. Never just turn up at a community, as they are people’s homes; always write or call to arrange a visit first. There are directories of intentional communities in the UK, in Europe, in North America and the world - see our links page. Some communities require you to buy a share of the property, or to buy a unit. Others don't require any money at all - you just start paying rent. Most communities welcome visitors, either paying or working. Many have regular visitor days. An excellent way to visit communities is by joining [WWOOF](http://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/lowimpact-topic/wwoofing/ "WWOOFing"). And here's an [Australian manual](https://lowimpactorg.onyx-sites.io/wp-content/uploads/intentional_communities_manual.pdf) that includes information on visiting communities. Never just turn up at a community, as they are people’s homes; always write or call to arrange a visit first.
  
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