Fred Frank V Bur

I would think it is alright to have indication of what state one is in of those of the United States, as I think most here would be.

If I find any through communication here seeking the same things for this sustainable way we can see to go on I will be responsive, and we can plan on ways for this, and when seeing it can work we can arrange to meet with preparation to go on the land we found for this with enough to have growing there.

I think a small group would interest me as much, with simple off-grid living growing all of what can be grown for what we together would need and really want, for becoming independent from what civilization and anyone else is making, I am sure many people were living this way before, but modern civilization has changed that, but with becoming destructive in this world. I do not want to remain taking part in that.

I wish all gatherings had the same options.

I am Christian too and would really be interested in being in community with other Christians. But I am a unicorn, I said that recently somewhere else on this forum site recently, and I won't fit in with such unless enough others there are more like me in other ways, and that is not likely but just possible if there is a community prepared for these things together. I am vegan and uncompromisingly so. I am for sustainability in living. It would not be with using animals there, any animals there are would be free to go where they will, and it would be involving effort to grow many things that should be enough for what is needed.

Hi Michelle. Since you expressed openness to try new things that are vegan, I want to mention my way of making cooked meals with what I think is the best sauce for them. I alternate between things like cut up potato, quinoa, or whole grain pasta, with having leafy greens and several other vegetables cut up as needed, and I add hummus and medium salsa every time, with some healthy and tasty seasonings. I include nuts and seeds in them, I may add guacamole and a couple of times a week some bits of dried seaweed. Having a good variety up to thirty different foods from plants each week is the healthiest way. I found a lot is there about that online.

I would be growing all I can for this good way to live, on land with others with me living in simplicity away from cities to become as fully independent apart from all that as soon as possible.

Alder Burns wrote:From someone who has spent a good part of my adult life in intentional community settings, my one bit of advice beyond what others have already posted (and I totally   agree about the site ic. org as a great place to start!) is to not be too hasty and make a bad decision that way.  Try to take or make some time to tour around several communities in your area of interest, maybe even volunteer at some.  Say a week or so at each.  What you want to catch is first, a general vibe of whether that life will really work for you (especially as contrasted with homesteading on your own), and secondly, the vibe of that particular community or type of community....they vary a good deal from one to another.  Especially pay attention to how newcomers would be incorporated in, and the dynamics between private ownership or stakeholding versus communal ownership.   Be aware that life happens, not only to yourselves, but to communities, and not all of them last forever.  Ask yourself, and the people you visit....what happens if 10 or 20 years down the line you or they decide that it just isn't working any more, what then?   Some communities can do this gracefully, evolving into a collection of neighbors who stay friendly, whereas others....well, speaking from experience it can get pretty spectacular.

I don't think I have that privilege or luxury of the ability to travel to different communities to find what corresponds best, what is right for me would be having enough communication before I would come, if I do, with being assured it is right. I already want the very simple living.

Daniel Andy wrote:Welcome to the site, Toria!

It seems to me that there are a few really critical elements to finding a community:

1) The people and how they handle conflict. Ive been reading on failed intentional communities and the majority of failed communities were because of infighting and disagreements. Some study can help but ultimately you need to get to know the people, and get to know them really well before committing. People arent enough either...what are their processes for handling disagreements? Long stay visits are a must. Longer stays are better. This one has the highest potential of wasted years when you find out you cant work out a problem with your IC years into it.

2) Religion/Belief:  a lot of ICs come with explicit or implicit beliefs you need to share to get along.  Some are looking for christians only. Some are strictly vegan. Some want you to only eat together. Some ICs plan to live together. Youll want to figure out which of these are no go for you.  SPECIFICALLY: i recommend putting in your post a clear hypothetical description of the lifestyle you are looking for.

3) Finance and ownership: when it comes to brass tacks, this is it. Who finances the land you live on? Who covers your expenses and how? Do you plan to buy land yourself in an area near a community or do you plan to live on a community's land?  Financially do you have enough to support yourself (or an ongoing remote job?) Or are you planning to be valuable enough to an IC via your labor that they dont mind giving you what little finances you still need?

I think if you can clearly articulate answers to these three, you are well on your way to finding a community that works.

I may be a unicorn. I have beliefs for different things, not at all incompatible. But it seems I won't find community in agreement for all those things. I will have to compromise on something, that is not then a shared belief or value.

Quinoa grows in places of the Andes region, perhaps it will grow there in Ecuador, if so that will be great news, as it provides all essential aminos that would make it of great value to a way of eating that is entirely from plants, such as it is with my own way.