Finding and Living in an Intentional Community

Intentional communities are planned communities that are set up usually for a purpose other than profit. The purpose may be vague or very specific. There are many communities that are planned, rather than just springing up by a water source and expanding. They are built from plans that incorporate different areas like shopping and recreation. These are not necessarily IC's because the bottom line for them is to make money from the homes or units and the added amenities. The added golf courses, swimming pools and gyms bring more of the clients money to the planner/owner of the property. Therefore the purpose is essentially a business model. What can happen is more methods will be used to extract money from those living within the community. Stores will be screened for the sake of profit rather than the good of the neighborhood and fees will pop up everywhere.

Intentional communities are put together for more people oriented reasons, even though solvency has to be a consideration if it is to continue. Some of the reasons could be a more natural lifestyle, family focused, self-reliant or a religious lifestyle. There are different types that fall under this umbrella. The most obvious would be communes but others include co-housing, urban cooperatives and collectives.