Match for free! - Cooperative Living Communities

La Vita Sukha

Gen X (45-60)

Female + Male

Roseto Valfortore, Puglia, Italy, U.K.

Speed of commitment:

In between: Open to a commitment after a defined time for a trial run

IC types I would live in or am forming:

Artist collective & live work space, Cohousing: private residences around shared space, Cottage industry in community (e.g. biz partners or recreation venture team), Ecovillage or agrihood, Farm or ranch, Retreat or event hosting as community, Spiritual or religious focus

Food production:

Working toward a mix of producing our own food and buying groceries, Working toward producing all or nearly all of our own food

IC seeker or founder/resident:

IC founder: I am seeking members to join a core group in founding a new IC. We already have a clear vision and established norms.

ICmatch group or IC I'm part of:

https://lavitasukha.com/community

Vulnerable population as a proportion of residents:

No can do

Residential proximity:

House mates (separate bedrooms, shared kitchen), Roommates (okay to share bedroom)

Ownership types:

Rent a room as a trial run, Rented with shared housing or shared land

Reasons for shared housing or land:

Ecological sustainability to reduce carbon footprint, Friendship and sharing activities, Having a “chosen family” to share good times and support each other thru hard times, Sharing meals and chores, Sharing resources (spaces, equipment, tools, vehicles, gardens), Traveling frequently and wanting a home base that’s maintained

Décor of shared areas:

A consistent aesthetic theme is important, Other

Clutter level of shared living areas or work space:

Super tidy at diagnosable OCD level, Tidy in shared spaces, with a designated place for things

Cleanliness level (germs & crumbs):

All food counters & tables wiped down after each use, All food counters & tables wiped down daily to not attract pests, Dishes washed (or loaded into dishwasher) daily to not attract pests

Yard or landscaping:

Covered space for storage, Gardens and edible landscaping, Mowed, trimmed, manicured outdoor space, Paved walkways and driveways, Space for kids and/or dogs to run, Tidy and clutter-free outdoors with storage out of sight, Xeriscape

Neighborhood or scenery:

Clean well maintained urban or suburban surroundings are a priority worth paying extra for, Nature scenery is a priority worth paying extra for

Current city, town, or county:

Roseto Valfortore, Puglia

Nation(s) of current residence:

Italy, U.K.

Preferred regions worldwide:

Europe eastern non-EU, European Union, Russia, United Kingdom

Population density:

Nomadic, Remote, Rural, Small town

Ideal location(s):

We are based in Roseto Valfortore, in Puglia, southern Italy

Commitment to my current location:

Committed to location because of owning a unique property, Other

Relocation capacity:

Committed to my current residence for the foreseeable future, Other

Resource sharing:

Farm or food forest (share work and produce), Garden (share work and produce), Meal preparation, Tool share (maintenance and use of expensive equipment)

My socioeconomic status:

Not applicable or prefer not to say

Leisure and lifestyle:

Leisure time is a high priority, but not necessarily expensive

Leadership availability:

I'm currently in IC leadership

Roles and responsibilities:

Clear responsibilities are important to minimize conflict, In a reciprocal relationship you give about as much as you get, but it happens without keeping track, To keep situations fair, to a reasonable extent accountability should be established through written agreements

Common practical skills:

Cleaning, Cooking for groups, Farm animal care, Gardening or crop cultivation, Group facilitation, Organizing & labeling, Permaculture

Experience or schooling:

Business management, Event planning & management, Horticulture or permaculture, Long term rentals and maintenance, Marketing, Massage or other bodywork, Musical performance, Psychology, Public speaking, Sports or physical recreation, Travel, Website design, Writing

Languages:

Italian

Occupation(s) and expertise:

Permaculture designer, yoga teacher, massage therapist, Reiki master, music producer, DJ

Years lived in an IC:

1-5 years in IC, Lived with roommate(s) or housemate(s), Lived with sibling(s) or other non-parent relatives

Experience in community:

I grew up in a B&B, which then became a care home for the elderly. I also went to boarding school so grew up with people always around me. When I moved away from home, I lived in shared housing, both with strangers and friends. Since 2023 I have been developing La Vita Sukha as an intentional community.

Professional certifications or degrees:

Permaculture Design Consultant, Yoga Teacher, Massage Therapist, Reiki Master, BA (Hons) Music

Generation:

Gen X (45-60)

Generations intended in IC:

Gen A (born 2013 – 2024), Gen X (born 1965 – 1980), Gen Z (born 1997 – 2012), Millennial (born 1981 – 1996), Younger boomer (born 1955 – 1964)

Number of working adults:

Alcohol (tolerable rules):

Should be allowed after work hours

Tobacco smoking (tolerable rules):

Should only be allowed outdoors

Cannabis (tolerable rules):

Should be allowed with medical prescription, Should not be allowed on the premises, even if its legal in our location

Psychedelics (tolerable rules):

Should be allowed by those authorized to use them for ceremonial purposes, Should be allowed only in a legal supervised therapeutic setting

Illegal recreational drugs (tolerable rules):

Should be grounds for expulsion from the community, Should not be allowed on the premises

Overnite guests (tolerable rules):

Should be allowed in designated guest areas, Should not be a concern of the community, as long as everyone's privacy is respected

Daytime visitor access (tolerable rules):

Should be discussed and limited by the IC agreements, Should not be restricted after certain individuals or visitor types are approved, Should require that community is informed of planned visits

Nudity (tolerable rules):

Should be welcome and discussed through the governance process, to consider each individual’s preferences

Required disclosures:

Background check for landlord/tenant disputes, Current addictions even if under treatment, On sex offender registry, Past felony conviction

Prohibitions:

This is my home and is a property my parents spent 20 years building so it holds a very dear and special place in my heart. I expect community members to treat it with love and respect.

Religious or spiritual practice-based IC:

No mandate of adherence to shared religious beliefs and practices

My religious beliefs or practices:

Astrology, Bahai, Buddhist, Christian universalist, Native American / First Nations, New Age (mix), New Thought (law of attraction), Pagan, Pantheist, Shamanic or indigenous animist, Spiritual but not religious, Spiritualist, Taoist, Wiccan

Practices welcome in IC:

Agnostic, Astrology, Bahai, Buddhist, Christian universalist, Hindu, Jainist, Jewish, Kabbalah, Mediumship, Muslim/Islam, Native American / First Nations, Near-death experience or out-of-body, New Age (mix), New Thought (law of attraction), Pagan, Pantheist, Shamanic or indigenous animist, Sikh, Spiritual but not religious, Spiritualist, Taoist, Tarot, Theosophical Society, Wiccan, Zoroastrian

Ecological preservation ethics:

Commitment to reduce, re-use, recycle, Composting toilet, Gray water recycling where permitted, Local food commitment for low carbon footprint, Use of alternative power such as solar or wind

Belief-related practices:

Our ideal rhythm would include weekly sharing circles to offer a space to speak from the heart, be witnessed, and deepen trust in one another. We also love to honour the new and full moons with simple ceremonies, tuning in to nature’s rhythms and the cycles within ourselves. In the spaces between, you’ll often find oracle cards being pulled over tea, spontaneous soul chats at the kitchen table, or quiet moments of reflection woven through the day. We like to give thanks before we eat. While daily group meditation would be beautiful, we recognise that flow varies. Weekly group meditations can already work wonders for creating coherence and connection. I practice yoga each morning - anyone is welcome to join me. These shared moments, both structured and serendipitous, are what stitch the soul of our community together.

Wisdom sharing:

We believe that successfully living with others begins with emotional maturity, self-awareness, and a deep respect for the space between self and other. It’s not about being perfect, but about being willing: to reflect, repair, listen, and grow. Through my own lived experience, both within La Vita Sukha and beyond, I’ve come to understand that community is a mirror. It reflects our beauty and our shadows. For community to truly thrive, each member must be committed to radical self-responsibility: to own their energy, communicate honestly, and regulate themselves without projecting unprocessed emotions onto the group. One of the greatest pieces of wisdom I’ve learned about building community is that safety in community doesn’t come from avoiding conflict - it comes from knowing how to move through it with compassion, integrity, and curiosity. We must stay curious rather than defensive, and take ownership rather than assign blame, recognising our triggers as invitations to deepen rather than divide. Vulnerability is a strength, not a weakness. Building a conscious community is a practice - one that requires continual tending. Like a garden, it flourishes when we commit to daily care, honest communication, and spacious self-reflection. Community living is not just about coexisting, it’s about co-evolving. And that evolution begins within.

Size of community:

11 to 20, 6 to 10

Sense of togetherness:

An IC should foster close interpersonal relationships, An IC should have regular mandated “group work” to resolve conflicts as they arise, An IC should have regular opportunities to encourage all to share their feelings, Relationships should develop naturally, not thru team building exercises or mandated group circles

My gender identity:

Female

Genders welcome in IC:

Female, Male, Non-binary

My current couple situation:

I'm in committed partnership, I'm not available

Couple situations welcome in IC:

Committed closed partnership(s) (e.g., married monogamous couples), Not available (e.g., you're okay if you're not going to be a threat to my primary relationship), Single (not in a committed closed partnership)

My sexual orientation:

Monogamous, Straight

Sexual identities welcome in IC:

Cisgender (gender aligns with natal sex), Heterosexual (straight), LGBTQ+ (non-normative gender identity and/or same-sex attraction), Monogamous (committed to a single sexual partner)

Sex & intimacy norms in IC:

A topic discussed with curiosity and respect, allowing for experimentation around what works for the community, Primarily left to the individual to determine, with the understanding that personal choices can impact community culture

Physical affection:

I enjoy hugs and lean toward the easily affectionate side, It depends

My availability for physical intimacy:

Never would I ever be interested in casual sex

Significant other(s):

Male

Children in IC:

Children are welcome but not a necessity (not a dealbreaker issue), Children are welcome if 8 or older and well-behaved (e.g., remote work group without childcare)

Children present in household:

No dependent children

Other people’s children:

Children are the responsibility of their parents, so any shared care needs to be agreed on between individuals, I want to be in a setting in which all feel a responsibility for well-being of children in the community, Parents shouldn't be so untrusting that they consider all adults a potential child abuser

Behavior correction:

Parents shouldn't allow their child(ren) to be loud and disruptive in group settings, Parents shouldn't be offended if other adults respectfully question their child(ren)'s behavior

Children sheltered from:

Drug use, Guns, Sexual behavior or images, Violent images or lyrics, Vulgar language

Screen time (acceptable rules):

Screen time and content limits are up to individual families, Screen-free times agreed on as a group to encourage outdoor play with peers

Dogs:

Indoor dog(s) okay, Indoor dog(s) okay if non-shedding, Indoor dog(s) okay if small, Outdoor dog(s) okay, Outdoor dog(s) okay if not frequent barkers

Cats:

Indoor cat(s) okay, Outdoor cat(s) okay

Farm animals or pets I have or want:

I'm totally open to other animals joining once a permanent community has been formed. The idea is to have goats, sheep, rabbits, more chickens, maybe a donkey, and working dogs to protect the chickens so they can be free. At the moment, the Queen of the household is Chopin, our little cat of about 8 years old. She is very timid but also very territorial, so any furry friends that come here would need to be relaxed and respectful of her space.

Special food needs:

Strongly prefer a high quality of food preparation, Strongly prefer home-processed foods

Organic:

Commitment to local-grown as much as possible, Commitment to non-GMO, Organic non-certified is okay

Shared meals (acceptable norms):

Prefer shared meals daily, Shared meals are necessary community glue, Shared meals are necessary for efficiency and low cost, Shared meals should be optional

Medical risk bubbles:

I can't live with or work physically close to people who need strict precautions from people in their IC

Pandemic norms:

Keep good health practices for good immune function, Masks only when in public and mandated, Sanitize hands frequently in public, Sanitize hands frequently in the IC, Whatever results from group decision-making process

Noise level:

A quiet serene living space should be the norm, Different noise tolerance can be managed by having designated times for noise and quiet, One quiet space should be reserved for those who need to focus on work

Sleep:

I keep an early bedtime, I’m an early riser, My sleep is easily disturbed so I need quiet at night

Comfort & convenience:

I can participate in a rugged life and hard physical work, I cannot tolerate extreme temperatures, I enjoy a rugged life and hard physical work, I like my cushy life

Tech savvy:

I’m pretty good troubleshooting tech

Internet connection & phone signal:

I need to be consistently connected to wifi during work hours, We have reliable wifi

Off-grid:

Is a workable favored option

Leisure time:

Tending the garden and land, eating (both at home and in local restaurants), dancing (we love house music!), road trips, yoga, meditation, reading, journalling, watching films, trips to the spa, playing Wii (badly), laughing.

Films, books, music, podcasts, shows:

Anything to do with permaculture, regenerative farming, nature, self development, spiritual exploration...and a good dose of comedy.

Political orientation:

Outsider left

Extroversion (under 50% means more introverted than average):

Emotional even keel (under 50% means more ups & downs than average):

Agreeableness (under 50% means less compliant or more contrary than average):

Conscientiousness (under 50% means more easygoing than average):

Open to new experiences / imagination (under 50% means more traditional than average, sticks with "tried and true"):

Tendency for dealing with others' expectations:

Upholder

Myers-Briggs (& Keirsey-Bates) temperament type:

ENFJ

Enneagram type:

Most likely a type 1. Taking wings into account: 1w2 or 2w1

Astrological sign(s):

Cancer Sun, Leo Moon, Scorpio Rising

Weaknesses and superpowers:

Weakness: perfectionism. Superpower: visioning

A note about me/us:

I created this community as a living expression of my values: deep care for the Earth, a commitment to self-inquiry, and a longing to live in connection, not just proximity. I’m not looking for perfection or performance, but for presence, honesty, and heart. If you're someone who’s walking the path of growth, with curiosity, courage, and compassion, you’ll likely feel at home here.

Dealbreakers:

1. Denial of or apathy toward humanitarian crises, especially the genocide in Palestine. 2. Refusal to take responsibility for one’s behaviour or impact. 3. Persistent judgment, control, or moral superiority disguised as “helpfulness.” 4. Disrespect toward nature, the land or this property. 5. Consistent resistance to feedback or unwillingness to engage in open-hearted dialogue.

Dealmakers:

1. Emotional maturity and self-awareness. 2. A deep respect for the Earth and a desire to live more consciously. 3. Compassion for all beings, especially in the face of injustice. 4. A willingness to show up for community, even if imperfectly. 5. A spirit of play, curiosity, and openness to personal growth.

On scale of 0 (imperturbable) to 27 (highly sensitive), 15 or more = HSP:

5.61