Intentional Communities in the United States: Balancing Work and Community
Are there any intentional communities or communes in the United States that are similar to Twin Oaks but allow members to work outside jobs and save their own money as long as it doesn't interfere with their responsibilities at the commune? The answer is yes, there are several such communities.
Intentional communities are diverse in design and structure, ranging from those that share all income to those that allow members to earn their own income. While shared income was common in the 1970s era, most modern communities have moved toward a model where members retain some personal economic independence, combined with communal responsibilities and activities. This article explores several communities that offer this balance, allowing members to pursue outside employment while still contributing to communal life.
Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage, Missouri
Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage, located in Missouri, is an example of a sustainable community that encourages members to balance outside employment with communal participation. The village has a focus on environmental sustainability and cooperative decision-making. The land is owned in common, while homes are individually owned or rented. Members contribute to the communal activities and responsibilities, including maintenance and shared resources such as cars. Cars are shared among the community to support environmental goals, with residents responsible for parking them elsewhere if they need personal vehicles. While each individual pays their own income tax, the community operates under a non-profit structure, providing educational services.
EcoVillage at Ithaca, New York
EcoVillage at Ithaca, situated in New York, emphasizes sustainability, cooperatives, and local economies. Members can work outside the community and are encouraged to engage in local economic activities, provided their work does not conflict with communal responsibilities. The village supports cooperative living and decision-making, creating a balance that allows for both personal and communal achievements.
The Farm, Tennessee
The Farm, founded in the 1970s, is a well-known intentional community that supports individual entrepreneurship. Members can work outside the community, running their own businesses, as long as they contribute to the community's overall well-being. This community provides a flexible model where individuals can pursue their personal goals while remaining committed to the communal objectives.
Los Angeles Eco-Village, California
Los Angeles Eco-Village, an urban eco-community in California, promotes sustainable living while allowing residents to balance their personal financial goals with communal responsibilities. The community operates on an adaptive model, where members can work outside the community, fostering both independence and participation in communal life.
Songaia Cohousing, Washington
Songaia Cohousing, located in Washington, is a community that emphasizes cooperative living and sustainability. Members can maintain outside jobs while being involved in communal activities and responsibilities, ensuring a balance between personal autonomy and collective goals.
Modern Intentional Communities and Legal Structures
Many modern intentional communities, such as the Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage Tri-communities, offer a unique blend of shared and individual assets. While Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage shares land and resources such as cars, it allows residents to have private housing and pursue outside employment. Similarly, the Ethical Communes often have a structure where members share certain resources while maintaining private assets. Communities like Sandhill and Red Earth Farms incorporate various levels of shared income and communal decision-making, providing a flexible approach to communal living and personal independence.
These communities often emphasize a balance between individual autonomy and communal responsibilities, allowing members to earn a living while contributing to the collective goals of the community. If you are considering joining one of these communities, it is a good idea to visit and talk to current members to see if the community aligns with your values and lifestyle.
Key Takeaways:
Intentional communities in the United States offer diverse models of communal living. Communities like Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage and EcoVillage at Ithaca balance communal responsibilities with personal economic independence. The Federation of Egalitarian Communes, which included Twin Oaks, has evolved to accommodate a mix of shared and private assets. Visiting and engaging with current members can provide valuable insights into the communal structure and lifestyle.Explore these communities and find the one that best aligns with your personal and communal goals.