It’s estimated that 80.7% of the US population currently lives in urban areas (as of 2010). It’s easy to become disconnected from nature when you live in a concrete jungle.
More and more people are seeking to get back in tune with the earth, but you have to go outside city limits to really experience nature. Weekend getaways and camping trips are a great way to get a taste of nature, but what if you want more than a taste? Ecovillage living just might be what you’ve been searching for.
Ecovillages evolve
If you’re one of those fortunate people that can choose where they live, you should look into ecovillages. An ecovillage is a community whose inhabitants seek to live according to ecological principles, causing as little impact on the environment as possible. They are in every sense of the word, a community
These intentional living communities are not the hippy communes of the 1960s. A lot has changed since then, and the stigmas of the last century needn’t follow modern ecovillages.
Do you identify with the idea of giving more back to the earth than you’re taking from it? If your answer is yes, life in an ecovillage might be for you. While different communities have different models, most of them have similar ecological philosophies. They often have off-grid energy sources, community gardens and agriculture, shared vehicles (you may not be allowed your own vehicle), food co-ops, homeschool co-ops and other shared services.
Depending upon the ecovillage you’re looking at, there may be a community-run business you can work for, or you may need to have online work to pay your expenses. Some ecovillages even trade in their own currency – an earmark of complete self-sufficiency.
So why live in an ecovillage, and not just go on your own off-grid living adventure? It’s all about community. Living side-by-side with people that have similar beliefs makes the experience much easier. Everyone has different skills, and those skills can complement each other when the right group of people comes together.
More and more ecovillages and intentional living communities are popping up around the world. The Fellowship for Intentional Community has a great directory of ecovillages if you want to locate one that meets your desires. Most of them are open to visitors if they’re accepting new members.
Would you ever consider living in an ecovillage or intentional living community?
Feature image courtesy of Brian (Ziggy) Liloia