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Intentional Communities: An adaptive paradigm
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By Carole Langrall Photos by Kerry Sherck
argaret Mead was onto something when she said, “Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, concerned citizens can change the world. Indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has.” She was referring to “intentional communities” when she said this, a term that is on the verge of rock-stardom as many explore a new way to revisit a historical way of living together. Intentional communities may seem like a modern concept, but they have been around for thousands of years. There are many names for them such as tribes, communes, co-housing, collectives, kibbutzim, ecovillages, co-ops, alternative communities, even squatter houses. Each of these are communities created by a group of people with an interest in living together together, some to abate their loneliness, others to share the family experience in a supportive, nurturing environment. Today’s intentional community has evolved to reflect the mission and needs of its residents, but the ultimate goal stays constant: to come together as a group, find a suitable piece of land, pull everyone’s resources together, build homes, and coexist in a peaceful, community environment. If it sounds like something out of Sir Thomas More’s novel, Utopia, it should. All of these communities started with a vision of ideal living.
Before you consider making the leap, it’s important to figure out what type of community best represents the needs of you and your family. Most intentional communities are sustainable in some aspect, be it human, social, economic, or environmental. Within the last decade, their popularity has soared for those looking to buy or rent “in community” that is now capable of combining all four elements, making the living experience very well-rounded. Santa Fe is home to several intentional communities, each one providing a
unique living experience to likeminded residents. Some are family-oriented, where others are focused on retiring seniors entering the next chapter of their lives. Some are green, some are not so green, some are reasonablypriced while others are expensive, but each shares the same lexicon: they are communities that exist to coexist. The Commons on the Alameda is one of Santa Fe’s more successful communities. Established in 1998, with 28 units on 4.5 acres of land, the property has a rural feel to it, but is technically within
Lynn Gary, an original Tres Placitas resident, fills a newly built fountain in one of the common areas. ecotrendsource.com 71