Yes I've been having the idea of joing a commune soon. I just came across a few scare tastics and stories. A few story about alot of people joing communes and end up breaking up then not having no way of getting jobs because of dedicating everything to the commune. Now I'm 100% dedicated to helping out. Just would like some one to talk to about how the life is. How does it make up there lives. thank you.
Sage: I'd say it all depends on the commune you're looking at, but most of them do expect a committment on your part and often financial contributions to join. Many communes are fine, but some of them are really cults, so investigate before going100%!
consider looking into ones that use the word "homestead" and that make thier mission very straight forward and egalitarian. There are communes in Floyd VA that allow those who live there to keep jobs on the side ( I think that is realistic because even communes have to pay land taxes, electric bills, and there are goods that one simply must buy even if they are living partly off thier land ). Joining a commune with those options may be a good first experience for you. Good Luck!
I'd suggest getting involved in a community co-op or collective first (housing co-op, grocery co-op, baking collective, etc). You'll get to practice direct democracy and you won't have to sign over your life to the group. Community doesn't have to be physically isolated or isolating in order to radically change your life for the better or challenge culturally normative forces. And if it's integrated into the larger culture, its impact will be far-reaching. Of course, first you might have to move to a city that is progressive enough to support cooperatives..
Not all communes have to be scary...their is a community or commune type place in the small town I live in...http://www.dacres.org. It cost ya $15 a week and ya have to put in 26 hours of work a week. They have a program for you to get college credit while being there also. WORK-TRADE Work-trade staff are skilled, active community members with long-term interest in the D Acres of New Hampshire project. The work-trade position consists of 26 hours of work and $15 each week for room and board. Assignments are decided at the regular farm community meetings and include (but are not limited to): organic farming, forestry, light construction, landscaping, tending the animals, and participation in the local farmer’s market. Outside of required hours, all members of the community participate in basic tasks such as meal preparation and housekeeping in the community building. The basic agreement is 26 hours of assigned labor and $15 per week for the betterment of the project in exchange for organic groceries, seasonal produce, use of telephone and internet, location to sleep and dream, use of library, workshop and facilities of D Acres of New Hampshire and the great outdoors of New Hampshire. The 26-hour format allows concentrated and organized communal work, while the free time beyond that could be spent on personal projects. We request a minimum 6-week commitment from people interested in living a simple rural life and working toward self-sustainability.
good suggestion amber,,, can say myself that is basically what we are doing here where i am.. people helping us when they have a few hours in exchange for parkin a camper or tent or sleepin in one of our lil huts n such n meals nightly .. as well as offering a stipend to those who want to do things that we here cant , dont have time to or sometimes to be honest ,,, just dont got the gumption to ... our only real rules are saturdays when not workin outside of here, we work together communally on a large project (cabin, fencing,etc ) ..... respect us n our land here that we share and no sellin or buyin drugs on the property..
1. I think the most improtant thing is that there beleif are in line with your own for if your really dedicated to becoming part of something if it ain't gonna be movin in the direction you want it to go you won't get any fullfilment. 2. Once you've done this then I'd get to checking up on them and making sure they aren't really any diffrent then what they say they are. 3. Last I'd make sure you're ready and willing, I think there were some other good reccomendations on this forum if you're not entirely sure the communal life is what your going for. On another note if you wouldn't mind founding a community you should find time to check out my forum, we aren't going to have what we need for two years, but theres certainly enough to be considered and done untill then. If nothing out check out my last post on it and see if it is what you might be gearing twards. ___________________________________________________________________ The most beautiful experience we can have is the mysterious ; it is the fundamental emotion which stands at the cradle of true art and true science. -- Albert Einstein
