When people hear the phrase “intentional community,” they sometimes picture a commune, a monastery, or even something mysterious and far removed from everyday life. But intentional communities are not new or strange — they are simply groups of people choosing to live with shared purpose, values, and agreements.

At their heart, intentional communities are about this question: What happens when people decide to shape their lives together, instead of separately?

Some intentional communities look like neighborhoods with shared gardens, kitchens, or workshops. Others may be rural homesteads, eco-villages, or co-housing developments in town. What unites them is not the layout of the homes, but the intention behind them: care for people, care for the land, and a commitment to living more cooperatively.

In Appalachia, intentional communities are taking many forms:

• Community Land Trusts, which keep land permanently affordable and stewarded for generations.
• Homesteads and Farms, where neighbors share tools, skills, and harvests.
• Maker and Artist Villages, where creativity, craft, and culture are nurtured side by side.
• Cooperative Housing, where residents share ownership and decision-making.

Intentional communities are not about rejecting the world outside — they are about reimagining how we can live with one another in ways that are more sustainable, equitable, and connected.

Intentional communities are not new or strange — they are simply groups of people choosing to live with shared purpose, values, and agreements

The Appalachian Village Network exists to connect these diverse efforts, share their stories, and support those who feel called to build or join one. Because when communities live with intention, they don’t just survive — they thrive.

Curious about intentional communities near you, or dreaming of starting your own? The Appalachian Village Network is here to connect and support you.

Learn, share, and find your place among the villages of Appalachia.