I’m in the early stages of exploring the idea of starting an intentional community, or possibly some other type of community. Before I fully commit to this path, I’m looking to invest up $2500 into learning more about the options, figure out a business model and gaining firsthand experience.
I’m trying to figure out the best ways to allocate this budget to get the most valuable insights. Here are some options I’m considering:
Touring existing communities: (for a weekend)
Courses/Workshops:
Books/Research:
Consultations/Networking:
What do you think would be the most effective way to use this budget for a well-rounded understanding and meaningful exploration? If anyone has experience in this journey or knows of resources that would be worth the investment, I’d love to hear about it.
ModernT. I suggest you double your investment. Fold it in half and keep it in your pocket.
Freely take whatever ideas strike you and plan on creating your own local community.
Discard what doesn’t strike your fancy.
By the time you have gone through it you will have a better idea of what you are seeking and what you are not. Then you are ready to spend your money on things you wish to go deeper into.
Our community found the “Starting a Community” training very helpful, as well as many other trainings offered by FIC. We also really like the book “Creating a Life Together.” I really like the Inside Community Podcast as well. I think its good to start with learning some things on your own and then you’ll have a better idea of what to ask when you visit or talk with established communities.
Thanks for sharing these recommendation, the trailer video for “starting a community seems to bit more opinion based and focused on social advocacy, is this true and which lesson / chapter was the most impactful for you guys?
Come to New Orleans. I posted about a property I’m very interested in. If I make a sound proposal to the owner, I feel he should not resist it. Any capital investment is of course very welcome. Let me know your thoughts.
Yes. Not vague- keep yr cash. Community now means installing a small city to house & feed peeps w private rooms & bath ( see home page photo on this site- $5 million 5 years to build. No food growing. ) we have over 1/2 million $$$ invested here. 12 buildings, farm, equipment Not good nuf for first world addicts They only need internet
Community implies live bodies. Where are they. ?
An empty forum is your answer.
Well, I’m not planning on starting a community for $2500, i’m planning on exploring the idea if I want to do it or not and I know that $2500 is very reasonable budget for that goal.
I’d put it in a [growing] savings, potentially with access without penalties. Perhaps keep a small amount in your account, though most of it could help in other areas. Needn’t focus on where/how yi spend it. Understood the resources be[th] available about this [collective] community, perhaps better helping communities in proper growing correlations. Other sagacious growing venues would likely be an option.
I recommend checking this consultants listing to see if there are any who are experienced in assisting in the formation of the kinds of community you are most interested in. Consultants for Intentional Community (for those of you suspicious of links, I’m trying to spell it out ICmatch.org / consultants)
Alternatively or additionally, find one or more ICs of the type you are most interested and that accept visitors. During your stay(s) you likely will learn much more than you would by reading.
Thirdly, find cofounders (which Match for free! - Cooperative Living Communities specializes in connecting). When you have determined your division of labor, you might help fund them to take the courses of study (such as FIC offers) about their responsibilities.
I spent over 5 years trying to start a community on 30-acres of decent farmland in VA (10 acres cleared and in pasture, gardens, orchard, large barn, pump house, shed/workshop; surrounded by 20 acres of hardwood forest). Everyone who came to visit loved it, but 90% of them had no capital saved up to invest in developing it. And most of them expect to find free land, existing accommodations, and lots of leisure time. All unrealistic features. It costs a lot of money, labor, and commitment to build a regenerative agriculture community.
I found only two families in all that time, who had either cash, equipment, or skills to offer. The first family (cash) proved useless and brought with them too much drama, and I had to borrow money to buy them out and send them packing after a year-and-a-half. The second family was wonderful. Though they had no money to invest, they brought a mini-excavator, tools, ladders, and skills. They stayed for 3 years, exchanging labor for rent of a lot to park their 5th wheel RV, utilities and a share of garden produce and eggs, but never committed to the community idea.
I finally got so frustrated with nickel and diming all the improvements from my own limited income that I sold the place to some well-heeled buyers and left to find an already established community. After six months on the road visiting over a dozen so-called communities from VA to NV, I didn’t find even one that met my 12 criteria or anything close.
So, I’m back to square one, looking for land (VA, TN, KY) to start again building a community that is liberty-minded (not socialist), Permaculture-based, and affordable for the average family (some are so expensive only upper middleclass qualify for membership). If you’d like to discuss this venture, I’d love to get together with you to share ideas and perhaps join forces. I can be reached at farm@corylayne.com.