#1

I am new to this forum so please tell me if this is an inappropriate topic and I will delete it.

I’d like to know if anyone lives in places where like- minded people live Places where residents reject toxic chemicals and man-made noise pollution. But the catch is it needs to have stand alone houses (or other fully controllable dwellings)) that are inexpensive- say not more than 400K (and for me , eastern half of US)

Any such longevity-minded “communes”?

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#2

The closest idea I can come up with, which is definitely far from perfect, is to do a search for conservancy minded private neighborhoods.

You’ll most likely still have neighbors who use toxic chemicals because people are people, but they might have strict rules on noise pollution etc. Maybe they will have some rules on what you can use on your lawn?

I found this link but didn’t only spent a minute, so I have no idea if it will be helpful

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#3

You may want to do a search for Intentional Community, Co-Housing, and Ecovillage. Many ecovillages have values and practices around toxic chemicals (at least in the shared spaces), and many have rules about noise. Howevwer, each village is individual, with different assumptions and values and governance, so you’ll need to research them. Fortunately, most have websites that say a lot about them. You can likely even take a tour if you can get there in person. (Or there may be one close to you.)

As for the price of a standalone unit, well, that does vary. Some have rentals. Some have cheaper units. But most have attached independent units (think apartments or townhouses). If you really need a completely free-standing house, at that price, in an ecovillage – at least in the US – that will narrow your search. Meaning it may be hard to find. Check out ic.org.

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#4

Ok checked (the land conservation lead) Seemed like such a good idea . Site has quite high priced listings, lots of overdevelopment, new construction., limited listings. So starting googling for land conservation places and started finding does not rule out game lands and shooting clubs!

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#5

This is a really interesting idea… longevity / health focused communities. Sort of an intentional “blue-zone” developed from scratch. I like it.

Given the trend of all these “pop-up” longevity cities (more focused on longevity therapeutics etc.), it seems there would also be some strong interest in something like this going forward. I could see a development like this in Costa Rica, or perhaps parts of Mexico on one of the coasts, that could attract a lot of North Americans, or even a global market of people interested in this type of thing. Seems like some developer-oriented people could look into this.

Its interesting to consider what factors or criteria would go into such a community; I’m sure there could be different “spins” on the same general concept. Areas for good gardens (perhaps community gardens), good access to locally grown fresh vegetables, activity centers, hiking and biking trails, a health optimization center (regular blood testing, physiological marker tracking, etc.), close to good doctors and hospitals, good airport access, … I can imagine that it would be very nice to have a community filled with like-minded people with great access to all the things that make healthy living easier.

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#6

Another idea would be to buy a $1 house somewhere in rural Italy, restore it for $200-300 K and enjoy your paradise there. It will be most likely an ideal climate, ecologically clean, and not populated. Pick up olives in your back yard!

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#7

Will google eco village and see what i can find. Thanks.

Stand alone dwelling saves me from structure bourne noise, neighbor laundry detergent, and HOAs run amok with pesticides and leaf blowers. But if i had neighbors who preferred to buy rapamycin and blood tests to HVACs and grills, and the construction was solid not wood without insulation, sure, no problem sharing walls with humans.

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#8

I happen to live in a conservancy neighborhood and can’t even begin to tell you how many people still use round up and rat poison… thus my earlier warning “people are people” :slight_smile:

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#9

Ok i looked up ecovillages. They are in to “sustainability, inclusivity, and social justice.”. At least that was one of them. Not the 3 top adjectives i would pick. And they cost a ton for the space you get.

There are development companies that specialize in transforming properties into ecovillages

Why not then blue zone villages? Or how about Bluvillage for short.

Will look up cohousing next. Maybe people who want thst (rather than a zero energy balance) ) will be more mindful of toxic exposures and the like.

I am still hoping that someone says i am living in just what you are looking for and PMs me. I will move there within 45 days.

(Once a town appears on a google “best of” list. , its way too late. )

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#10

Your goal sounds dreamy and after you move, let us know where to find you!!

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#11

I did find that looking up “intentional” housing communities is interesting - there is quite alot and growing - but most are focussed on sustainability or religion. I wonder why then there aren’t more for other things - longevity, science,arts, quiet, chemical free etc.

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#12

Because building an IC village, ecovillage or not, is expensive, challenging, time-consuming, and grueling work. For every existing IC, there are a hundred that failed, sending relationships, years, fortunes, and deeply held dreams down the drain.

Getting people together to live in close proximity with any set of shared values is hella challenging, and super expensive. Those who found such efforts must be resilient, stubborn, charismatic, empathic, and (bluntly) rich or exceptionally lucky. Also, they quickly learn that they have to include with others’ values if they want to have a village of equals.

In short, it’s hard as hell. A village can be focused on any value or set of values, but someone with the resources, vision, and money has to spearhead it.

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#13

If we assume that’s true, then why are all the people who have the resources, vision, and income into sustainability and not, say, longevity?

#14

You’d have to ask them. As a guess, since I’m not in that cohort, “sustainability” is considered more wide-scope and planet-friendly than “longevity,” and may thus attract more people. (I use quotes because each of these words is a wide-ranging subject, and we’re simplifying by using a single word.)

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