So it seems that a lot of communes are based on plots of land away from people. I understand why. but what about people who live in urban places? I know there are pros and cons, but we all can't run to the forest. just wondering.
I would be interested in an urban commune. I flirt with the idea of moving to some commune in the forest all the time. But I love live music too much, and enjoy the nightlife. That and I make good money in my chosen profession, which wouldn't be available in most rural areas. If I could continue working, and have access to good live music, then I would be much more adapt to joining a commune.
A lot of times this falls under the term "co-housing" on IC.org Maybe there is something close to you and you just don't know about it yet.
well i have a house/townhome, so I wouldn't be exactly looking. Delaware has forming ones. i've always just let people say with me, throwing money, food or time in exchange
Co-housing is more than that, there is "commun-ity" involvement. Shared meals, common beliefs, possibly even working together on common projects that fund the house. More like a typical rural commune but in an urban environment.
i'm aware of the community part. I suppose I should add that anytime someone does live in my house, we do all the same things that rural communities do. ...........
Thanks for mentioning this. I found a few in my area and reached out. I heard back from one lady, but she's moved to Michigan. She gave my info to her friends still in town and I hope to hear from them soon .
I asked the question because it would seem more people are saying they want to get away and have these types of communities but "they live in a city" or have jobs or families that they need to stay near and the desire to form a community. I think it would be beneficial to showcase more of these urban communes. (the word co housing doesn't really work for me). Land within 0-5 hours away from me starts at $50,000 for not even an acre, but in the city lots of housings,(some in not so good neighborhood, but we could use more positive actions there) for between 20,000 and 100,000. and these aren't tiny houses. I would love to see more homes transformed personally. for me, i have noticed that, at least where I am, the community is just people who go paintballing, or go to a bar/restuarant, things along that line. Me not having a car, having a child. i can't do those things. I do more gardening, going to parks, helping out people when I can. I don't feel part of the "cool crowd". I don't have that kind of money. I like the rural communes because it seems more like I am, but I can't afford to move there, so I'm attempting to start something where I am.
This sound like a really good concept, as i daydream about it, it seems most laws may make it harder than rural communities. I dont know to much about urban zoning laws, but that seems like a big one to get around. I guess im thinking more about the self-sustaining part and not the community part. We really love to hear other peoples ideas on what works for them.
in the 70 tees i was in sanfe n. m. lived inside town. we were a group of maybe 25 and ran a free hostel. works real good. we didnt charge for staying with us and we feed and gave ppl clothes and love. it worked realy well and had leo bring us folks all the time. peace
Son and I were called to look at a roof in the Whitaker area of Eugene and lo and behold--about a quarter of a block with --I guess you could call it co-housing with individuals owning their own places with a communal meeting room. A very nice setup. They ,I believe,were/are all responsible for the whole place,not just their own and the place was really squared away. Seems natural to happen in Eugene.
When I think of what Haight Ashbury had to be like, that's all I can think of.. urban commune. free store, coffee house, free medical clinc, free space. maybe not so much free now(or just as much as we can reasonably have)..that's what I imagine.
The Oakland Morehouse has been an urban intentional community since 1968. Its a 3 story 110 year old victorian house within walking distance of downtown Oakland and the BART. There are usually 15-20 people living there. I lived there for three years before moving to their rural "big sister" the Lafayette Morehouse. If you look on ic.org you will find many different urban communities, some of which are co-housing. The Atlanta Morehouse and the Yonkers Morehouse are both in urban areas.
