| The vision of ASLVVC (Arizona Simple Living Vegetarian Village Communities) is to assist in the establishment of vegetarian village communities - for mixed generations and for the elderly.
To this end, we set up in January 2007 an online NETWORK OF VEGETARIAN COMMUNITIES called VegNet - to make it easier for people to find the kind of vegetarian community they are looking for. Besides one-click links to vegan and vegetarian communities in N America and elsewhere, VegNet also provides resources for communities in the formation stage - posts on land available in different states, green info on housing and eco-development, a VegAds page, and more.
URBAN INFILL VEGAN NEIGHBORHOOD: Looking for 3-5 dynamic 55+ vegans to co-found a vegan enclave in Sun City (west Phx suburb for 55+). Two houses in a group of 3 are for sale, third one owned by a vegan; other houses on sale nearby. The adjoining yards create over 1/2 acre organic garden with mature citrus trees and over a dozen young fruit/nut trees, all organic. Sharing mortgage with 1 housemate would cost $500/month each; sharing a car and a meal(s) a day keep costs down. Great location for shopping, community recreation centers (swimming pools, activities), golf, hospitals.
RURAL ASL COMMUNITY: We envision a vegan spiritual retreat centre cum community with a seminar/conference centre nearby (raw food vegan) for alternative healthcare seminars.
The community will be off the grid, with organic gardens, fruit trees, permaculture landscaping, wilderness areas, community center, swimming pond, meeting hall, guest accommodation, periphery parking, cohousing, non-toxic natural buildings, simple lifestyle: small, beautiful, with open spaces and shared facilities. 30-50% of shares reserved for affordable housing. Clean air, not near landfills, toxic waste dumps, factory farms.
We intend to generate income on site, so community members have the option of working on site as part of an egalitarian income group.
Presently looking in outer Phoenix area for suitable property, 40-100 acres, possibly part of an existing ranch or organic farm or eco-development site. 50% of the property to be dedicated to wilderness/wetland/animal habitat, 30% for organic orchards & gardens, 20% for clustered residences (villages) and common house with shared facilities.
If you're veg/an, have a spiritual practice, are willing to work hard & want to co-create a quiet place to live, join us and help make it happen! | |
Population Adult Members: 5 (4 active members, 50+ on mailing list.) Open to new children: Yes Open to which gender(s): All genders welcome Age Focus: (Urban Enclave requires 50+; rural community - any age.) | Government Decision Making: By consensus Leadership Core Group: Yes (We have a small active group who are involved in the initial planning process. This is a temporary phase until the community begins to expand.) | Labor and Money Financial Style: Partial income sharing (We intend to have an income-sharing option for members who wish to work on site or for community businesses. The rest of the members may choose to have independent finances.) Open to Members with Pre-existing Debt: Yes Labor Contribution: Expected (Yes, definitely - a minimum of 3 hours per week or 12 per month. As intentional community members, we all contribute anywhere from 3 hours/week on up to full time, towards running the community, growing the food, building the shared facilities, carpools, looking after sick or elderly members, and other community support activities.) Join Fee: Yes (Incoming members will purchase a Fair Market Share (price variable) or an Equity Share (fixed low rate for those who qualify for affordable housing).) Regular Fees: Yes (Equivalent of monthly HOA fees or community labor contribution.) | Land and Buildings Rural Area: 40 acres (16.2 hectares) (We are looking for a minimum of 40 acres.) Land Owned By: The community (ASLVVC is the non-profit developer; the community becomes the owner when 75% of shares have been bought.) Number of Residences: 15 (Each village has 15 residential units, and 20% of the property is for village development and common facilities, so we might have several villages, each with 15 clustered units, on the 100-acre site.) Cohousing: No Answer (We'll take ideas from cohousing) | Food, etc. Percentage of Food Grown: over 50% (We plan to grow all our own fruits and vegetables. We will start small and aim to expand as soon as practical.) Share Community Meals: 2-5 times/week (We plan to make community meals available daily if there is enough interest from the group.) Dietary Choice or Restrictions: Other Dietary Practice: Primarily vegan (We are all vegetarians (no meat, fish, eggs, alcohol, drugs, tobacco). Community meals will be vegan raw food.) | Social Factors Open to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and/or Transgender members: Yes Shared Spiritual Path: No (Most of us have a spiritual path and many are meditators. We prefer a diversity of spiritual beliefs and practices in the community. For those who wish, we might have a daily quiet time at sunset and a weekly non-denominational spiritual get-together that is entirely voluntary.) Which Spiritual Path(s): Ecumenical (includes "all religions") (So far the community represents 4-5 world religions and various spiritual paths. The thing we have in common is vegetarianism and the attempt to live by spiritual principles in our daily life, with an emphasis on service and non-violence.) | |
