Que Sera
Gen X (45-60)
Female
Pennsylvania near Pittsburgh or Butler, U.K., U.S., Uruguay
Speed of commitment:
Fast: Open to a situation that takes everyone being all-in from the start (with contracts & clarity), In between: Open to a commitment after a defined time for a trial run
IC types I would live in or am forming:
Activist commune supporting shared work, Artist collective & live work space, Cohousing: private residences around shared space, Cottage industry in community (e.g. biz partners or recreation venture team), Disaster prep or timeshare cabin, Ecovillage or agrihood, Ethnic culture-focused (e.g., BIPOC), Expat residential community, Farm or ranch, Housing or shelter for a vulnerable group, LGBTQ+ focused, Medical risk bubble, Mobile home park or RV spot, Multi-house collective (resource-sharing among houses not adjacent), Off-grid, Resource-sharing or income-sharing commune, Retreat or event hosting as community, Senior cohousing or shared house, Shelter for homeless, Spiritual or religious focus, Student house share, Tiny homes community, Trial run: Join a household maybe work-trade, Van life co-travelers
Food production:
Not involved in farming or gardening, Working toward a mix of producing our own food and buying groceries, Working toward producing all or nearly all of our own food
Service-based IC (population served):
Chronically homeless, Escaped from sex trafficking, Low income LGBTQ+, Low income with high medical risk, Mild to moderate mental illness
Service-based IC (services offered):
Long term shelter, Permanent residence, Provides housing while attending college or vocational training, Provides school or vocational training for the selected group(s), Provides support services possibly including paid work opportunities for the selected group(s), Short term shelter
Vulnerable population as a proportion of residents:
About half, All, Less than half, More than half
Residential proximity:
House mates (separate bedrooms, shared kitchen), Multi-house collective (shared resources, but IC houses might be scattered within a traditional neighborhood), Roommates (okay to share bedroom), Separate units (separate apartments but some shared common areas with shared resources), Shared land (separate houses possibly with some shared buildings)
Ownership types:
Co-operative (collectively owned separate houses or apartments), Join an established IC to learn and possibly stay, Joint land purchase to subdivide, hold shares, or hold "tenancy in common", Multi-house collective (shared resources, but houses have separate ownership or are separate rentals), Rent a room as a trial run, Rent-to-own with shared housing or shared land, Rented with shared housing or shared land, Whatever the group can agree on
Reasons for shared housing:
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, Having social interaction while limiting the amount of influence or interaction with society, Helping each other with childcare, Lower cost of living, Shared land, shared community hub such as gardens or meeting space, but not shared housing), Sharing meals and chores, Sharing resources (spaces, equipment, tools, vehicles, gardens), Traveling frequently and wanting a home base that’s maintained, Working together in a business (e.g., remote location)
Décor of shared areas:
A consistent aesthetic theme is important, Decisions based on practical utility and durability, Not applicable (planning an IC that does not include shared residence, common buildings, nor homeowners association), Not important, Other, Prefer furniture & decor that's kid-or-pet friendly (used or easily replaceable)
Clutter level of shared living areas or work space:
Average level of "lived in" look, Clutter doesn't bother me, Creativity in progress (translate: not tidy in designated 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, Disinfectants must be ecologically safe products (chemical sensitivity), Disinfecting is not important, Dusting is not so important, Medical need for a dust-free environment, Medical need for a regularly disinfected environment, Not planning to share cooking or dining space
Yard or landscaping:
Yard aesthetics are not a priority
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, Not applicable, Scenery is not high on the list of property characteristics that's worth paying extra for
Current city, town, or county:
Pennsylvania near Pittsburgh or Butler
Nation(s) of current residence:
U.K., U.S., Uruguay
Preferred regions:
U.S. California, U.S. Colorado, U.S. Florida, U.S. Missouri, U.S. Oregon, U.S. Texas, U.S. Washington state, U.S. midwest region, U.S. northeast region, U.S. rocky mountain region, U.S. southeast region, U.S. southwest region
Population density:
Nomadic, Remote, Rural, Small town, Suburban or exurban, Urban
Ideal location(s):
Western Pennsylvania
Commitment to my current location:
Want to eventually commit to a permanent location if it goes well, Want to experience a variety of communities and locations, Would relocate if group decides to try another location together
Relocation capacity:
Ready to move from my current residence now or in the near future, Ready to move from my general area now or in the near future, Ready to move from my general area within the next few years
Resource sharing:
Car share, Care of elderly, disabled, or incapacitated relatives, Child care swap, Emergency preparedness efforts, Farm or food forest (share work and produce), Garden (share work and produce), Joint business (share work and profits), Meal preparation, Pet care swap, Time bank, Tool share (maintenance and use of expensive equipment)
My socioeconomic status:
Low income
Leisure and lifestyle:
Somewhat frugal about leisure and entertainment expenditures
Roles and responsibilities:
Clear responsibilities are important to minimize conflict, Flexible responsibilities are often best, which aren't assigned or micromanaged, In a reciprocal relationship you give about as much as you get, but it happens without keeping track, In a small family-like group, the saying applies, “to each according to their need, from each according to their abilities", Transactional relationships are more fair; to a reasonable extent there should be accountability through written agreements
Common practical skills:
Childcare, Cleaning, Cooking for groups, Farm animal care, First responder (first aid) or EMT, Gardening or crop cultivation, Organizing & labeling
Experience or schooling:
Activism & organizing, Animal training or care, Event planning & management, Experience teaching adults, Food handling certification trainer, Legal practice, Musical performance, Ordained minister or religious scholar, Security (may include experience with weapons), Short term rentals and hospitality, Social dance, Spanish language proficiency, Theater, Waterworks, plumbing, sanitation, Website design, Writing
Years lived in an IC:
Lived with roommate(s) or housemate(s), Lived with sibling(s) or other non-parent relatives, No experience, but determined to make it work
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), Older boomer (born 1946 – 1954), Pre-boomer (born before 1946), Younger boomer (born 1955 – 1964)
Number of teens:
1
Number of working adults:
2
Alcohol (tolerable rules):
Should be regulated by group decision only if it becomes problematic
Tobacco smoking (tolerable rules):
Should only be allowed outdoors
Cannabis (tolerable rules):
Should be allowed after work hours, Should be allowed in designated areas only, Should be allowed with medical prescription, Should be regulated by group decision only if it becomes problematic
Psychedelics (tolerable rules):
Legal psychedellics are okay if not disrupting to others, Should be allowed by those authorized to use them for ceremonial purposes
Illegal recreational drugs (tolerable rules):
Should not be policed by the community, as long as no minors are involved and others are not negatively impacted
Overnite guests (tolerable rules):
Should be allowed in designated guest areas, Should be permitted in limited circumstances as decided by the governance process, Should be subject to group decision only if it becomes problematic, 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 be restricted to guest areas or residence of host, Should not be restricted, 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 limited to private rooms or private residences (as is the norm outside the IC), Should be permitted within designated areas of the IC (e.g., a gated hot tub)
Required disclosures:
On sex offender registry, Past felony conviction
Religious or spiritual practice-based IC:
No mandate of adherence to shared religious beliefs and practices
My religious beliefs or practices:
Christian (Catholic), Christian (evangelical), Christian (universalist), Hindu
Practices welcome in IC:
Spiritual but not religious, Spiritualist
Ecological preservation ethics:
Commitment to reduce, re-use, recycle, Composting toilet, Eating vegan, vegetarian, or certified humane animal products, Gray water recycling where permitted, Local food commitment for low carbon footprint, Use of alternative power such as solar or wind
Size of community:
11 to 20, 21 to 50, 51 to 150, 6 to 10, Over 150, Under 6
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, I do not want obligatory group work where we are expected to help resolve disputes, I do not want to be required or pressured to share feelings in a group setting, Relationships should develop naturally, not thru team building exercises or mandated group circles
Gender + number:
Female
Genders welcome in IC:
Female, Male, Non-binary, Trans AFAB, Trans AMAB
My current couple situation:
I'm available
Couple situations welcome in IC:
Available somewhat (e.g., in open relationship), Committed closed partnership(s) (e.g., married monogamous couples), Not applicable, 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:
Asexual
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), Non-monogamous, Polyamorous (in more than one physically intimate relationship with consent of all involved), Polygamous (married to more than one spouse)
Sex & intimacy norms in IC:
A topic discussed with curiosity and respect, allowing for experimentation around what works for the community, A topic not discussed by the community, Celibate community, Other, Pre-determined by proscribed religious doctrine, with community accountability, Primarily left to the individual to determine, with the understanding that personal choices can impact community culture
Physical affection:
I am a big hugger; I’m affectionate even with people I don't know well, I enjoy hugs and lean toward the easily affectionate side, I selectively enjoy hugs; I lean more toward the physically reserved side, It depends
My availability for physical intimacy:
Consensual recreational sex is okay with me, depending, Not currently open to a new relationship, Prefer not to share at this time, Want to take it really slow to be sure a commitment can last
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), I have dependent child(ren) living with me and I am only seeking community with other families with children
Children present in household:
Full time
Other people’s children:
Children are the responsibility of their parents, so any shared care needs to be agreed on between individuals, I am open to a community of free-range children who are allowed to roam the majority of community spaces unsupervised, I am open to sharing child-care responsibilities such as carpooling or swapping child-care, I don’t have the time/skill/interest to share in others' child care responsibilities, I prefer a community in which there are on-site designated childcare facilities to allow other adults to work, 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, Parents shouldn't have to micro-manage their child(ren) for the benefit of adults around them
Children sheltered from:
Adult nudity, Drug use, Guns, Sexual behavior or images, Violent images or lyrics, Vulgar language
Screen time (acceptable rules):
Parents should agree on online content allowed (e.g. video games, social media) because children will share with each other, Screen time and content limits are up to individual families
Schooling:
Homeschool, Unschooling
Dogs:
Indoor dog(s) not okay, Outdoor dog(s) not okay
Cats:
Indoor cat(s) okay, Not applicable, with separate residences each household decides, Outdoor cat(s) not okay, Outdoor cat(s) okay
Farm animals or pets:
Chickens, Cows, Ducks, Fish pond, Geese, Goats, Horses, Pigs, Rabbits, Sheep, Turkeys
Special food needs:
Strongly prefer raw milk
Plant-based or not:
Cage-free eggs okay, Certified-humane meat okay, Conventional eggs okay, Conventional meat products okay, Conventional milk products okay, Everyone makes their own food choices even when eating together, Fish okay, Mostly vegan, Mostly vegetarian, Small local dairy products okay, Strictly vegan (no animal products), Strictly vegetarian (no meat or fish)
Organic:
All food choices are accepted, Commitment to all organic, Commitment to local-grown as much as possible, Commitment to non-GMO, Not applicable (e.g., no obligation for shared meals), Organic non-certified is okay
Shared meals (acceptable norms):
Prefer shared meals weekly or monthly, 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 commit to taking extra precautions for others in a high-risk category, I can live with or work physically close to people who do not take precautions against infection, allergy, or injury
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, Just keep it down enuf that neighbors don't complain, One quiet space should be reserved for those who need to focus on work, One space should be available for those who like to have videos or games on frequently, Parents with children shouldn't have to constantly keep them quiet
Sleep:
I keep a late bedtime, I keep an early bedtime, I often stay up past midnight, I’m a late riser, I’m an early riser, I’m not very consistent with my waking and bedtimes, My sleep is easily disturbed so I need quiet at night, My sleep is not easily disturbed, Not applicable (e.g., not planning to share living space that's close to sleeping space)
Comfort & convenience:
I can participate in a rugged life and hard physical work, I can participate with others who do not tolerate rugged life or extreme temperatures, I can tolerate extreme temperatures, I cannot 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 about average with tech use
Internet connection & phone signal:
I must have wifi on 24/7, I need to be consistently connected to wifi during work hours, We have adequate mobile phone signal to connect to internet, We have ethernet cord to connect to internet without wifi, We have nearby library or cafe with wifi, We have no wifi and spotty to no mobile phone signal, We have reliable wifi
Off-grid:
Is a workable favored option, Is not the plan if it doesn't work for others I want to be in community with, Is not workable, Is okay but not so important, Is the definite only plan, Is workable for a part time location
Political orientation:
Progressive left