Who's lived in an intentional community?

[LynzM]

Just curious... It's something that appeals to me, but less-so to Zornhau, and not something I see us doing in the foreseeable future. Maybe if things get bad enough that we'd want to join a farming community, or something.

I loved that about college, living in a dorm and always having people around to socialize or brainstorm or whatnot with. I enjoyed living with friends for the same reasons. As long as there is private space to retreat to, there is a part of me that really thrives on this kind of living, shared space, shared cooking, community.

Anybody sought this out or wound up in one? Care to share your experiences, for good or bad? :)

[Rosemary2205]

1. I sorta did it for 5 years

But it was my sister's family. Brother in law lost his job in Michigan and they either sold the house or lost it to foreclosure. They managed to sell. In the meantime my husband and I were crippled in a car accident (his brain, my spine). They moved the whole family to Atlanta. Moved into my house, found jobs, paid my mortage and all the house bills. When hubby and I were able to come home we all lived together in my 2 bedroom house (800 sq ft) for 5 years. It was a mutually beneficial arrangement but not without it's trials. It took a lot of care and consideration on everyone's part.

I highly doubt it would have worked if we were not already emotionally invested in each other by being family.

[LynzM]

2. Oh, wow

I'm sorry about the pain you guys must have gone through (still go through?) from the accident, that really sucks. :hug: :hug: I'm glad that they were able to share a space with you guys in a way that worked out for everyone.

[SarahB]

3. I haven't, but

it's appealed to me too (probably since I first found out about them 10 years ago) especially since I'm (of course) left of center and non-traditional from a variety of standpoints. There's not much around here or very small or "forming". Some in the Northampton, MA area, but most seem to be out west. :(
http://www.ic.org/

[LynzM]

5. I can definitely understand the appeal...

It's a bummer that there's not much around. Our town has some HUGE old Victorians that would make really nice intentional communities, if one was ok with being in a city, they'd be great. They're awful to heat, but they give lots of communal space and lots of private space, both.

I hope that you find one that works for you, if it continues to call you... :)

[xmas74]

10. A friend and I have looked at an old Victorian

in my town. It needs alot of work but they want to sell it for almost nothing and it's been on the market for years. She's moving to my town now and looking for a job and an apartment for herself and her kids. The plan is for her to get settled into the town and in a years' time to buy a large old house and renovate it.

We have another friend who is interested. Three single mothers, four kids total. It's not a large community but it's a start. It's a great way to bring an old house back to life,to actually own a house with a yard (and a garden spot and a clothesline!), to live affordably and to know that there will always be an adult around for the girls-no babysitters!

[yewberry]

4. Sort of.

I went to school for a year in a former Shaker village.

We followed Shaker traditions and were expected to follow the 'hands to work, hearts to God' tenet in whatever way we interpreted the meaning of 'God.' We shared a farm with the Sufi village up the mountain. Unfortunately, there was no private space other than the surrounding woods.


I can't believe I'm confessing this.

[LynzM]

6. Why do you feel weird about sharing that?

I think it's kind of neat... personally, I might have an issue with the 'god' aspect, but if everyone was respectful... I could probably live there.

What led you to schooling there? Can I ask how old you were? (That is, was this a parental decision or a college-age decision, or... )

Thanks for sharing, tofunut :)

[yewberry]

7. Well,

I don't generally post all that much in general, never mind about the silly stuff that I've done in my life.

Actually, the 'God' thing was pretty okay. No expectations were ever placed on what that should or could mean. Kind of strange given the environment, but that's just how it was.

I ended up there for a few reasons. I was a teenager, and my family had been facing some challenges; I was removed from my family, and I needed both a place to live and to attend school. I couldn't be released to family, but I wasn't yet of age. So, I did choose the place, but it was a time when there were a lot of limitations on what I could choose to do and where I could choose to live.

It was incredibly difficult at the time, but it was ultimately a good thing. (My architectural sensibilities have been affected to this day, though!)

[LynzM]

8. Ah... gotcha.

First, :hug: to you for whatever was going on that made you need to leave your family. I'm glad that it turned out to be a good thing in the end, but I can't imagine how difficult that might have been, at the time.

When you say architectural sensibilities, does that mean Shaker furniture and the like? I'm not being snarky, I honestly am not familiar with their style aside from the (stylized?) version that one sees in furniture magazines and whatnot.

[yewberry]

11. Wow, that's really kind of you.

Yeah, it was a strange time for me. My family are mostly really good people, but they just had a really bad period, and the process of being okay with that has taken a while.

I am talking about Shaker furniture, but also architecture. Shaker furniture was made with the idea that an angel might be the next to use it. So simple, but incredibly well-made. It was heart-breaking to see rich people come and buy off bits and pieces of the village.



And the architecture really gets under your skin.


Simplicity is key, and ornamentation might be thought of as taking away from the glory of 'God.' At the same time, simplicity doesn't have to be Spartan


or plain.




The clean lines and composition can really become part of your life--it's hard to let go of, but it's even harder to reproduce when it's gone.

Does that make any sense?

[graywarrior]

9. I did.

With a buncha freaks/hippies/whackos/earth shoe granolas. We fought over toilet paper mostly. Too stoned to make it down to the market to buy some.

[LynzM]

12. LOL

How'd that work out for ya? :rofl:

[Inchworm]

13. Ok- you made me smile

I've had similar experiences in travelling construction work :D

Sooo true about the toilet paper. I still stash one roll every time I buy a big pack just so I know I'm never out :P

:hi:

[graywarrior]

14. I have since developed a toilet paper phobia

I need to be at least 4 rolls ahead. I even take one in the car if we travel a long distance.

[Inchworm]

15. Chortle!

Me toooo! With the travelling !!

I may need counselling now that it all comes to mind :P

:rofl::rofl:

[graywarrior]

17. Everytime we move out of a place, Mr Gray has to shame me into leaving a roll

for the new tenants out of courtesy. It KILLS me...it destroys my entire day...I think about that roll I'm abandoning to someone I don't know...a roll I PAID for. Arrrgghhhh!

[Der Blaue Engel]

28. Since my trip to Russia, I always carry a pack of moist wipes

They take up less room, and solve the problem of hand-washing, too. :D

[conscious evolution]

29. I do the same for camping trips.

Very handy.Most also come in waterproof containers which is a plus when camping.

[conscious evolution]

30. dupe

[conscious evolution]

31. dupe

[conscious evolution]

32. dupe

[conscious evolution]

33. dupe

[RetroLounge]

16. I lived that way for about 19 yrs.

Then my parents kicked me out... :D

:hi:

RL

[graywarrior]

18. Hey you! Leave your hat on.

[LynzM]

20. LOL

Thanks for the laugh, dude! :rofl:

[Bennyboy]

19. I have some friends that have a wonderful community

in the Santa Cruz mountains called the happy Brigade. All organic, enviro type deal. They do a lot of charity work and stoke a lot of things. I ahve thought about living there and still might someday.

[LynzM]

34. That sounds cool...

I hope you get to, if you decide on it! :)

[conscious evolution]

21. I live in one

14 people.
9 dogs.
4 cats.
1 emu.
We share a big house with seven bedrooms,4 baths.There are also three cabins on the property.We have two chefs in the house so we eat very good.
We also have a doctor in the house so most healthcare is free or very inexpensive.
Two tree surgeons who get free firewood.
I am an electrician and I am rewiring the property for solar energy.
We have our own well.Solar powered.This is in a drought stricken area so this is really handy.
We only have one TV in the house.We use it for movies and Wii.
Everyone plays at least one musical instrument so we entertain ourselves by jammin.

Only two problems we face:We need an extra washer dryer and toilet paper.
Almost forgot
The property backs up to a nieghborhood owned greenspace that has gardening plots,an amphitheater,a zen garden,a sacred garden,a sweatlodge and a picnic gazebo and grill.One the otherside of the greenspace is another intentional community with ten or so people living there.

[Shine]

23. Sounds cool. As a parent, I'm wondering: do you have any kids in that batch?

:shrug: or are you all adults?

:hi:

[conscious evolution]

25. All adults

Though that will probable change in the near future.Two young couples in the house and another roomie thinking about bringing girlfriend and her two children in to the mix.
In the neighboring IC there have been several kids raised.The ones I have met all seem to be fairly well grounded.

[Bennyboy]

27. That sounds nice.....

Really nice...

[conscious evolution]

22. dupe

[otherlander]

24. No, but I would in a second

if I wasn't so goddamn anti-social. I get angry really easilly if I have to be around people too much and can't be alone enough. I like the idea, you know? But I think if I was actually part of one I would just ruin it by yelling at everyone.

[HEyHEY]

26. Sounds creepy