What is an Intentional Community?
Intentional Community
/in-TEN-shuhn-uhl kuh-MYOO-nih-tee/
Quick Definition: An intentional community is a voluntary residential community designed around shared values, beliefs, or lifestyle choices. These communities foster cooperation, mutual support, and purposeful living while maintaining individual autonomy and personal choice within a framework of collective vision and shared responsibility.
Values-Based Living Explained
An intentional community represents a conscious choice to live among like-minded individuals who share common values, goals, or lifestyle preferences. Unlike conventional neighborhoods where residents may have little in common beyond geographic proximity, intentional communities are founded on explicit shared principles that guide community decision-making, social interaction, and daily life. These communities can be secular or spiritual, urban or rural, and may focus on everything from environmental sustainability to artistic expression to cooperative economics.
The intentional community movement has ancient roots but gained renewed momentum in the 20th century as people sought alternatives to isolation and materialism of modern society. Today, thousands of intentional communities worldwide demonstrate various approaches to cooperative living, from small cohousing projects to large ecovillages, each reflecting the unique values and vision of its members.
Why Intentional Communities Matter for Bajío Buyers
Mexico's Bajío region, with its rich cultural heritage and growing international community, provides an ideal setting for intentional community development. International buyers increasingly seek more than just property ownership—they want authentic connections, shared purpose, and communities that align with their personal values and vision for meaningful living.
Key Characteristics of Intentional Communities
Types of Intentional Communities
Intentional communities take many forms, each reflecting different values and organizational approaches:
Spiritual Communities:
- Organized around specific religious or spiritual practices
- May include meditation centers, retreat facilities, or worship spaces
- Emphasis on personal growth, contemplation, and spiritual development
- Examples include Buddhist communities, Christian intentional communities, or interfaith centers
Secular Communities:
- Based on shared social, environmental, or political values
- Focus on cooperative living without specific religious framework
- May emphasize sustainability, social justice, or alternative economics
- Examples include cohousing communities, cooperative villages, or eco-neighborhoods
Artistic Communities:
- Centered around creative expression and artistic collaboration
- Shared studios, performance spaces, and creative resources
- Mutual support for artistic endeavors and cultural activities
- Examples include artist colonies, creative cooperatives, or cultural centers
Lifestyle Communities:
- Organized around specific ways of living or life philosophies
- May focus on health, wellness, simple living, or alternative lifestyles
- Shared practices around diet, exercise, work, or daily routines
- Examples include wellness communities, permaculture sites, or intentional neighborhoods
Intentional Communities in Mexico's Bajío Region
The Bajío region's cultural richness and international appeal make it attractive for intentional community development:
Regional Benefits for Intentional Communities:
- Rich cultural heritage supporting community-oriented values
- Growing international population seeking meaningful connections
- Affordable land prices making community development feasible
- Climate supporting year-round community activities and gatherings
- Traditional Mexican emphasis on family and community relationships
- Proximity to spiritual sites like Atotonilco adding depth to community vision
Intentional Community Development in the Bajío
Several projects in the Bajío region are incorporating intentional community principles, focusing on cross-cultural connection between Mexican and international residents. These communities often emphasize learning Spanish, exploring Mexican culture, supporting local artisans, and creating bridges between different backgrounds while maintaining shared commitments to sustainability, wellness, or spiritual growth.
Benefits of Intentional Community Living
Residents of intentional communities often experience unique advantages:
SOCIAL BENEFITS:
PERSONAL BENEFITS:
PRACTICAL BENEFITS:
Intentional Community vs. Traditional Neighborhoods
Understanding the differences helps potential residents assess compatibility:
Traditional Neighborhood:
- Residents connected primarily by geographic proximity
- Individual decision-making with minimal community input
- Limited shared resources or cooperative activities
- Diverse values and lifestyles with minimal coordination
- Privacy emphasized over community interaction
Intentional Community:
- Residents connected by shared values and conscious choice
- Collective decision-making processes and community input
- Extensive sharing of resources, spaces, and activities
- Aligned values and lifestyles supporting community vision
- Balance between privacy and community engagement
Considerations Before Joining
Potential residents should carefully evaluate several factors:
Values Alignment:
- Clear understanding of community mission and principles
- Personal commitment to shared values and community vision
- Willingness to participate in community governance and decision-making
- Compatibility with community conflict resolution approaches
Community Expectations:
- Time commitments for meetings, work projects, and community activities
- Financial obligations including shared expenses and community contributions
- Privacy levels and boundaries between personal and community space
- Communication styles and feedback processes within the community
Personal Preparedness:
- Experience with cooperative living or group decision-making
- Conflict resolution and communication skills
- Flexibility and adaptability to community changes and challenges
- Long-term commitment to community vision and development
Frequently Asked Questions
Privacy levels vary by community design and agreements. Most intentional communities balance private living spaces with shared common areas, allowing residents to choose their level of community engagement while maintaining personal boundaries and private time.
Most intentional communities have established processes for handling disagreements, including discussion forums, mediation, and consensus-building techniques. Members typically commit to working through conflicts constructively rather than simply leaving when disagreements arise.
Costs vary widely depending on the community structure, location, and amenities. Some communities have lower living costs due to shared resources, while others may require significant upfront investments. Many offer various membership levels and financial arrangements.
Most established intentional communities welcome visitors and often require trial periods before full membership. This allows both the individual and community to assess compatibility before making long-term commitments.
Related Terms
Cohousing
Specific type of intentional community with private homes and shared facilities
Ecovillage
Intentional community focused on environmental sustainability
Cooperative Living
Housing arrangement emphasizing shared resources and decision-making
Commune
Historic term for intentional communities with high levels of resource sharing
Planned Community
Larger-scale development that may incorporate intentional community principles
Consensus Decision Making
Governance method commonly used in intentional communities
Ready to Find Your Values-Aligned Community?
Explore intentional communities and values-based developments in Mexico's Bajío region. Our team can help you find communities that align with your personal values and vision for meaningful, connected living.