Community living isn’t for everyone, but in some places, it works beautifully. Think shared gardens, cashless economy, and neighborhoods that feel more like extended families. Let’s explore the eight places where community living really works.
7. Damanhur, Italy
Damanhur is a federation of communities with its own constitution, currency, and a stunning secret: the Temples of Humankind. This underground complex, hand-dug into the heart of a mountain, is a work of art and a testament to the power of shared vision. Founded in 1975 by the late Oberto Airaudi (Falco Tarassaco), Damanhur is home to around 600 citizens who live by a philosophy of spiritual growth, artistic expression, and environmental sustainability.
6. Auroville, India
Imagine a city where people from over 50 countries live together, without a centralized government or the concept of private property. This is Auroville, an experimental township in southern India. With a population of over 3,000, Auroville is dedicated to the ideal of human unity and is endorsed by UNESCO. Auroville is a fascinating experiment in conscious living, with a focus on sustainable agriculture, renewable energy, and a cashless economy.
5. Marinaleda, Spain
In the heart of Andalusia lies the village of Marinaleda. This village has a unique economic system based on a farming cooperative. Residents work the land and are paid a fair wage, and housing is a right, not a commodity. For a mere €15 a month, you can have a three-bedroom house that you build yourself.
4. Findhorn Foundation, Scotland
What started in 1962 with a family of six living in a caravan on a barren patch of Scottish coastline has turned into one of the world’s most renowned ecovillages. The Findhorn Foundation is a spiritual community and learning center, famous for its miraculous gardens, where 40-pound cabbages were grown in sandy soil. Today, it’s a thriving community with hundreds of residents, a UN-Habitat Best Practice designation, and a wide range of workshops and events.
3. Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage, USA
In northeastern Missouri, a community of around 70 people is quietly demonstrating that a sustainable and fulfilling life is possible. Dancing Rabbit Ecovillage, founded in 1997, is a living proof of ecological living. Residents build their own homes from natural materials, generate their own renewable energy, and grow much of their own food.
2. EcoVillage at Ithaca, USA
The EcoVillage at Ithaca is one of the largest and most successful cohousing communities in the United States. Founded in 1992, it’s home to around 230 people living in three distinct neighborhoods. The community is designed to promote social interaction and environmental sustainability, with shared common houses, organic farms, and acres of preserved natural land.
1. Los Angeles Eco-Village, USA
In the heart of a sprawling city, the Los Angeles Eco-Village proves that a more sustainable and connected way of life is possible anywhere. For over 30 years, this intentional community has been a model for urban sustainability. The LA Eco-Village has around 40 residents, showing us how to reduce environmental impact while increasing quality of life through community gardens, composting, bike-sharing, and water conservation.