so..hypothetically speaking...who would consider a communal way of life?

[w8liftinglady]

I have been thinking of this a lot since my divorce.I make a "good" Living as a nurse...but not enough to really get by....have any of you thought of combining families?

[Critters2]

1. I've considered it. It seems wise to me. Living alone seems like a

huge waste of resources.

[w8liftinglady]

2. me,too-and I think we could...

use each others' strengths to make a strong community

[eyesroll]

3. True communal living...oh HELL no. I'm doing that right now, for a week.

I'm in the 9th Ward in New Orleans, at the Common Ground Collective. It's been an experience.

[w8liftinglady]

4. ok-how about a community of like-minded individuals?

[SeattleGirl]

5. I don't think I could do it.

Don't think there's anything wrong with that lifestyle, but I just don't think it would fit me.

[wildhorses]

6. yes, i have considered it---

have several friends and family members who i converse on a regular basis about this very subject

[w8liftinglady]

7. the more I talk with my co-workers...the more it seems viable

we all are having trouble making ends meet...

[w8liftinglady]

8. i'd love to find three families-where we could split bills 4 ways

I just feel like we could all get ahead that way...I don't know

[SPKrazy]

9. Possibly So...

certainly it has worked for the Israelis hasn't it?

I'd consider the idea... I'd have to be comfortable with the people in the commune but, yeah!

:thumbsup:

[w8liftinglady]

10. my thoughts exactly...there are many DUers I'd feel comfortable with

unfortunately-they don't live in texas..:(

[SPKrazy]

11. That Would Be The Rub... or the Catch

making a commune self sufficient so that people could come to it from anywhere and live

:shrug:

[w8liftinglady]

12. i know- i guess I am searching for a nirvana,of sorts

where people can play off each others strengths...and all contribute in their own ways

[SPKrazy]

15. An Older Way Of Life Really...

villages, or tribes I guess

every person had a purpose, there wasn't unemployment, if you didn't join the team, the team wouldn't survive.

Strengths sounds better though

I like it

nirvana, utopian society? who knows

our social fabric is fraying as it is, there may soon be more of this kind of thing. I mean the rich have their gated communities, why not the middle class and others having their communes?

[w8liftinglady]

21. I like the idea of living with like-minded people..

I live in a total right-wing,Bush/Cheney bumper sticker society-I am like a fish out of water.It's miserable.I want my kids to be tolerant of all people....to learn all cultures...
my latest ltte explains a little bit
http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=389x413125

[crispini]

27. Haha, you live in Houston right? (if I recall correctly)

Surely you've met PDittie, John Covarrubias and gkhouston? That's a fine group of Houstonians right there. ;)

As for your original post: I don't know, I have found that any group endeavor requires an awful lot of care & feeding of the group itself. Living alone nets you a lot of "psychic space" which you certainly get less of as you live in a group. I tried to be part of a co-housing community (wasn't built yet) and that didn't work out. I am currently VERY involved with my neighbors in building a conservation district. I have always been interested in the ways that we live and group dynamics. I just think that there is a certain amount of romanticizing of communal living, and I suspect that when one actually got into it, one would find that it has its drawbacks, just as everything else does.

[Manifestor_of_Light]

13. Yes, very much so.

I am planning on selling my city house and moving to the country, to an old house I inherited. My SO and I cannot get jobs and we are highly educated and tired of the rat race.

We would like to have an "art colony" where people could hang out and decompress and be creative. Also having somebody working and contributing financially would be good.

This is in a little town with no economy to speak up and the whole region is depressed, thanks to Wally World.

[w8liftinglady]

17. see-I could take care of you in your old age---plus I clean,cook,and garden

it would work out well...I need to find a mechanic,a carpenter,and a plumber-it could work!

[Manifestor_of_Light]

23. Cool.

I got two acres. My SO is an electronics nerd so he's good at changing lightbulbs and solving mechanical problems.

[liberal renegade]

24. I'm just that man

there isn't anything I can't fix, build or grow.....

[Manifestor_of_Light]

25. Cool. How does East Texas sound?

[liontamer]

14. I've always liked the idea

the problem is finding people with similar goals who you actually like. Good luck!

[Ptah]

16. From time to time I consider becoming a Hutterite.

There are some colonies near where I was born and raised,
and they seem to thrive.

[Critters2]

18. I have friends who go on retreat at a Bruderhof every once in a while

They love it, and keep encouraging me to go. Some day.

[Ptah]

20. I think you would have a chance to expand your

understanding of community.

I hope you have the chance to go.

:thumbsup:

[swag]

19. No, would not consider that.

But that wasn't the question.

[Karenca]

22. NO -----

I can't even live with my immediate family.

[BarenakedLady]

26. I like the concept however

I'm not exactly the most sociable person and I crave alone time, space, and privacy. I don't think I would cut it in the communal life.

[realisticphish]

28. No way

I've had ten roommates before. Maybe with the perfect combo of people, but... no thanks. 4 people is the max for me

[mike_c]

29. yes, and there is no reason for communal life to be any of the things...

...that folks have mentioned in this thread. It doesn't need to mean losing your privacy, or your individuality. Or being crowded.

I have a friend who lived in a commune in Oregon for several years and he still spends his summers there-- his job takes him elsewhere during the academic year. The commune is a chunk of communal farm/forest land. There is a large communal garden and meeting house, kitchen, library, etc. That's where the phone is, for example. Most of the residents have their own dwellings, ranging from a small cabin without electricity or running water-- my friend's place-- to very nice multi-room homes. All are technically the property of the commune, so if someone leaves, their living space becomes available for someone else. The dwellings are spread around the property so everyone has all the privacy they need. The residents range from single men and women to families. No one locks their doors-- I'm not even sure any of the doors have locks on them-- but everyone knows one another well. Members are accepted or rejected by unanimous vote IIRC.

[Arkansas Granny]

32. That sounds like the type of communal living that I could really

get into. I've been intrigued by the idea since the 70's when I discovered "Mother Earth News" magazine and read articles about people living in communes. With the right group of people it could work to everyone's advantage and be an enjoyable, supportive experience.

[S n o w b a l l]

30. Not for me either...

I'm such a private person & need my space. After 6 yrs of living alone, I can't even imagine having an SO anymore.

[Deja Q]

31. Readily.

I'd be communicating with people again...

Just to find the communal with compatible regulations and I'll comply.

[WritingIsMyReligion]

33. I would have to adore every single person in the commune.

I can think of people I would enjoy living with. A FEW. The rest of the world I would end up throttling.

Otherwise, absolutely not.

[Shine]

34. No, not really.

Sometimes I have a hard enough time dealing with my own three other family members, so the thought of living with a bunch of others doesn't entice me in the slightest. :D

That said, however, I can certainly understand why some people are drawn to the idea.

It's just not my thing, personally. More power to ya, though. Good on ya! :thumbsup:

:hi: