Could you live in a commune?

[LaraDeSalle]

It sounds like my idea of hell but I was surprised recently when one of our friends said they could see more people opting out of the rat race and living in groups of like minded people and becoming self sufficient.

I don’t meant religious or sex cults but people that would buy a share in land and build their own properties, utilising individual skills and farm the land and generate power etc with everyone taking an active part until they are physically unable to.

Not sure how it would work if anyone became unwell or injured but they would at least all be eating more healthy if living off the land!

There would of course have to be a selected leadership group and all decisions would be by voting.

I think people like me would end up wanting to kill others but I wonder if it anyone thinks they could make it work for them and would enjoy it?

I don't think I could, it's too many people in close proximity. And I need my space.

But I've always thought it would be cool if I had a partner and we lived in the same house with another couple. I like doing couple things so it seems like it would be fun to share daily life with another couple.

😂

This! I generally don’t play well with others.

I’m also too fond of Deliveroo (people bringing me things generally tbh), hate gardening, get stressed cooking for more than 2 people, the list goes on…

I could . Keep looking at diggers and dreamers!

I like company and I think I'd love it . It's something I'd consider when I retire .

Lived in one with my mum and sister when I was a child,I have lovely memories of the other adults teaching me things that I would never know otherwise.

No I wasn’t even very good as a flat mate as I found almost everyone annoying! I’m better off living alone or with family.

www.masaisrael.org/all-about-israel-kibbutz-programs/
popular in the 70's

I quite like the idea of living with women as I grow older. With everyone having their own space and a communal space with communal gardens. A general expectation of help given and recieved (feed my cat type stuff not personal care).

Nope. Lovely romanticised idea but the reality is to even afford a stake in those kinds of places you need to be fairly wealthy to start with. It's all a bit too much playing at The Good Life for my liking.

And the pretend spiritual ones where actually it's all about power in the guise of "tuning in to the eternal" or whatever strike me ad even worse.

Although having just moved to Lancashire a silent order is currently very appealing....

I love the idea but the reality would probably be a disappointment. I know Lammas, sadly there was a terrible fire there and on the other hand one of the original families sold up and made a good profit but now live separately so much like life in a very small hamlet I guess. I think having a true common connection and vision however utopian is vanishingly rare.

Many communes don't require financial input, apart from rent equivalent, or labour.

Trouble is, in every single voluntary organisation I have had experience of; from a book club to a parents association, it usually ends up that a few people get landed with the lion’s share of the work.

I would love it, but would get cheesed off with not being in charge. I know best, dammit! Also, is this one of those old threads that have been resurrected? People who resurrect threads will be first against the wall when I run my hippie commun

No, would be my idea of hell. I worked in a coop which was a fabulous concept but in reality people are people and it just didn't work. I think the same thing would apply to a commune, you'd have some people trying to take over, some doing fuck all to contribute, others doing everything, petty squabbling and falling out over mundane things. I'd honestly rather live on a remote island by myself 🙈

Good Lord, no! Other people’s kids, no thanks.

I don't know if behind us is an intentional community or just a way of gathering enough rent monies to pay his folks back for their property, but they seem to have a high turnover of occupants, and only one seems to have the urge to grow home grown produce, the rest of the property is grazed by another neighbour.

but no, I wouldn't do it. We have a ''no lending'' policy for farming equipment except for two who are mechanics by trade, but have suffered disappointments in the state equipment has been returned, or we have had to go chasing it back.

That has caused issues and that is with people who were known to us/neighbours. People generally don't always look after things the same way (although the mechanics always return things greased and oiled, so happy to work in with them, but I wouldn't want to live on the same property).

Yeah if I was by myself it might be fine. But I think I would have too many links to people outside (I have big extended family), so don’t think I’d be able to dedicate much time to the commune. I’d be able to live in multi generational set-up though, and have done for a few months before.

Was just thinking about this yesterday. It would have to be primarily women I think... pethaps with some hired security to help keep us safe.

I'd also want everyone to get disclosures first though. And tbh some sort of vetting process to prevent narcissists and sociopaths from getting in. A community full of generally decent human beings.

Sounds quite appealing. I'd be happy to live with my uni buddies and family ir my environmental activist friends. Actually I really like all my existing neighbours, we get on really well and have a few street parties every year.

The sociability, the everyone chipping in and community over possessions is appealing. So many lonely people rattling round in a house by themselves is a shame.

Now that my kids are slightly older and out or in their rooms, I miss the chaos of kids, their friends and parents around.

We moved to one when our kids were 7 & 2. Left with our next door neighbours we met there to set up a micro commune (just the two families)

Most housing co-ops that I know of, you only need to pay £1 upfront for your share in the co-op. I don't think I know anyone even close to "wealthy" who lives in a co-op!

I would like it, especially one in a city. I’m imagining everyone has their own flat in a building but there is also a communal kitchen, living room, laundry room, other joint facilities. There are such things in some Scandinavian countries designed for older people.

It's my dream!