A directory of belonging
Places where community is built into where you live — not another club to visit, but somewhere the people around you are part of daily life. Monasteries that welcome guests, cohousing, co-ops, ecovillages, seniors villages, and neighbourhoods that actually function. Start where you are.
Compiled with AI, checked by nobody yet. These are starting points, gathered for British Columbia — real places as far as we know, but details change. Verify with a phone call before you set your heart or drive across the state.
A Camphill-inspired life-sharing agricultural community in the Cowichan Valley where adults with developmental disabilities live and work alongside co-workers. Daily life revolves around biodynamic farming, crafts and shared celebration.
Part of the international L'Arche federation, this community creates homes where people with and without intellectual disabilities share life together. Its houses and day programs in Burnaby welcome assistants and volunteers from around the world.
Mennonite Central Committee BC supports various community programs, including some residential options for individuals needing support. They focus on providing compassionate care and fostering a sense of belonging within their communities.
Visit website →The Bloom Group provides a variety of housing and support services, including community-living options for vulnerable populations. Their programs are designed to foster independence and community integration.
Visit website →The Cedars at Saanich provides a supportive and caring environment for individuals requiring assisted living and complex care. This community focuses on personalized care plans and engaging activities to enhance residents' well-being.
Visit website →The Village Langley is a unique community designed specifically for individuals living with dementia, offering a safe and supportive environment. Residents live in small, home-like cottages with specialized care and opportunities for engagement.
Visit website →Creekside Cohousing is a vibrant, intergenerational community designed for connection and mutual support. Residents share common facilities and participate in community meals and activities.
Visit website →Creston Cohousing is a developing community focused on sustainable living and shared amenities. Residents will enjoy private homes alongside common spaces for dining, recreation, and social gatherings.
Visit website →Fraser Village Cohousing is a vibrant, family-friendly community in East Vancouver, designed for connection and mutual support. Residents share common spaces and regular meals, fostering a strong sense of belonging among diverse households.
Visit website →A waterfront seniors-oriented cohousing community on Vancouver Island designed around aging well in mutual support. Residents share a common house, kayak dock and gardens while keeping their own self-contained homes.
Kootenay Village Cohousing offers an intergenerational living experience in the beautiful Kootenay region. This community emphasizes sustainable living and active participation in shared governance and activities.
Visit website →Okanagan Cohousing is a vibrant community designed for intergenerational living, fostering connection and shared activities among residents. It features private homes clustered around extensive common facilities, promoting a balance of privacy and community engagement.
Visit website →Pacific Gardens Cohousing offers a unique blend of private homes and extensive shared spaces, fostering a strong sense of community among its members. It is designed for sustainable living and active participation.
Visit website →Pacific Reach Cohousing is a multi-generational community designed for collaborative living and shared values. Residents actively participate in the governance and daily life of the community, fostering strong social connections.
Visit website →One of Canada's early urban cohousing communities, with private apartments clustered around a shared courtyard and common house near Lonsdale Quay. Residents of all ages share meals, gardening and decision-making in a close-knit, walkable setting.
A rural cohousing neighbourhood on the Sunshine Coast where homes sit among forest, gardens and shared green space. It welcomes families and individuals seeking village-style living with shared workshops, a common house and community dinners.
Vancouver Cohousing provides a unique blend of private homes and extensive shared spaces, designed to encourage interaction and mutual support among residents. It offers a modern approach to community living in an urban setting.
Visit website →A pioneering cohousing community completed in 1996, known for its glass-covered pedestrian streets that link 34 family homes. Multigenerational households share a large common house, gardens and a strong culture of neighbourly cooperation.
The umbrella federation for British Columbia's non-profit housing co-operatives, representing hundreds of member co-ops across the province. It supports secure, member-controlled housing and helps newcomers find and build co-op homes.
Visit website →The Cortes Island Co-op provides affordable housing options and promotes community engagement on the island. It's a member-driven organization focused on sustainable living and mutual support.
Visit website →Discovery Place is a vibrant housing cooperative offering affordable homes and a strong sense of community. Residents actively participate in managing their living environment and fostering neighborly connections.
Visit website →Salsbury Community Society operates a housing cooperative dedicated to providing affordable housing and fostering a close-knit community. Members are involved in the governance and maintenance of their homes and shared spaces.
Visit website →The Residences at Lynn Valley offers a unique housing cooperative model, providing residents with a sense of ownership and active participation in their community. It combines modern living with a strong emphasis on shared governance and neighborly support.
Visit website →The Vancouver Native Housing Society provides safe, affordable housing and support services to Indigenous people in Vancouver. They manage various housing co-operatives and buildings, fostering community and cultural connection.
Visit website →Burnaby Ecovillage is an emerging initiative focused on sustainable urban living and community resilience. It aims to create a model for ecological and social well-being within an urban setting.
A 25-acre regenerative living demonstration site and ecovillage on Vancouver Island, famous for its natural building and permaculture education. It welcomes interns, workshop participants and visitors interested in sustainable community life.
Visit website →The Okanagan Ecovillage is a planned community aiming for ecological sustainability and social connection. It will feature eco-friendly homes, shared gardens, and a focus on permaculture principles.
Visit website →A farm-based ecovillage in the Fraser Valley combining a cohousing neighbourhood, organic agriculture and a small commercial hub on a former dairy farm. It draws families and elders who want to live lightly on the land together.
Ananda Marga Riverdale is an intentional community based on spiritual principles of self-realization and social service. Residents engage in collective living, meditation, and service to the wider community.
Visit website →While primarily a school, the Okanagan Waldorf School fosters a strong community among its families, often leading to shared living arrangements and a close-knit social fabric. The community emphasizes holistic education and sustainable living practices.
Visit website →This intentional community focuses on sustainable living, organic farming, and shared responsibilities among its members. It offers a rural lifestyle with a strong emphasis on ecological principles and communal well-being.
This intentional community on Salt Spring Island is dedicated to sustainable living and fostering deep connections among its members. It emphasizes shared resources, ecological practices, and collaborative decision-making to create a resilient and supportive environment.
Part of a larger resort, The Residences at Spirit Ridge offer a unique community experience with shared amenities and a focus on the Okanagan lifestyle. Residents often form close bonds through shared interests and activities.
Visit website →These residences offer a resort-style community living experience with shared amenities and a focus on lakeside leisure and social interaction. Residents often participate in community events and enjoy a vibrant, connected lifestyle.
Visit website →Similar to other resort villages, Big White offers a distinct community feel for its residents, centered around winter sports and mountain living. Shared experiences and a common love for the outdoors bind the community together.
Visit website →This mountain resort village cultivates a strong sense of community among its residents, who share a passion for outdoor activities and a relaxed, friendly atmosphere. Many residents live here year-round, fostering deep connections.
Visit website →Wildwood is an educational and residential community dedicated to sustainable forestry practices and ecological living. Residents engage in hands-on learning and contribute to the stewardship of the surrounding forest.
Visit website →A Benedictine abbey overlooking the Fraser Valley, home to a community of monks who also run the Seminary of Christ the King. Guests are welcomed for quiet retreats, and visitors come for daily prayer and the abbey's striking hilltop church.
Visit website →A historic network of neighbourhood houses across Metro Vancouver, rooted in the settlement house movement of the early 1900s. Its houses offer childcare, seniors programs and newcomer support, welcoming everyone in the surrounding community.
Visit website →Frog Hollow Neighbourhood House has been a hub for community connection and support in East Vancouver for decades. It offers a wide range of programs and services that build community capacity and foster belonging.
Visit website →A beloved West End neighbourhood house serving one of Canada's densest urban communities since 1942. It brings neighbours together through community meals, food programs, and activities for children, newcomers and seniors alike.
This master-planned community is designed with a focus on walkability, green spaces, and a strong neighbourhood feel. It integrates residential, commercial, and recreational elements to create a cohesive living experience.
Visit website →This emerging waterfront community is designed to be a complete neighbourhood with diverse housing, parks, and amenities. It aims to foster a strong sense of place and belonging for its residents.
Visit website →Originally built for the 2010 Winter Olympics, this vibrant waterfront neighbourhood emphasizes sustainable living and community connection. It features a mix of housing, public spaces, and amenities designed to encourage interaction.
Visit website →This society provides affordable housing options for seniors in the Creston Valley, fostering a supportive and engaging environment. Residents benefit from various amenities and a strong sense of community among their peers.
Visit website →Offering independent and assisted living options, this community provides a comfortable and secure environment for seniors. Residents enjoy a range of social activities and services that promote well-being and connection.
Visit website →Okanagan Village offers independent and assisted living options for seniors, fostering a vibrant community with various social activities and amenities. Residents enjoy a supportive environment designed for comfort and engagement.
The Hearthstone offers independent and assisted living for seniors in a vibrant downtown Victoria location. Residents benefit from a strong sense of community, with numerous social events and services available.
Visit website →The Hearthstone Place provides supportive living for seniors, emphasizing comfort, care, and community engagement. It offers various levels of care within a welcoming environment, promoting an active and fulfilling lifestyle.
Visit website →This community provides luxurious independent living for seniors, integrated within the Fairwinds master-planned development. Residents benefit from access to golf, marina, and wellness facilities, promoting an active lifestyle.
This seniors' community provides a comfortable and active lifestyle with various amenities and services tailored to residents' needs. It fosters a friendly atmosphere where individuals can connect and enjoy their retirement.
This community offers independent living for seniors in a beautiful setting, with a focus on comfort and convenience. Residents benefit from a range of services and opportunities for social interaction.
The Residences at Westman Village offers a luxurious and active lifestyle for seniors with a focus on community and wellness. This vibrant community provides diverse housing options and extensive amenities for a fulfilling retirement.
Visit website →The Village at Maple Ridge offers independent and assisted living options for seniors, providing a supportive environment with a focus on active lifestyles. Residents enjoy a range of amenities and social programs designed to enhance well-being and community spirit.
Visit website →The Village at Mill Creek is a welcoming seniors' community offering a range of care levels from independent to complex care. Residents benefit from a supportive environment, engaging activities, and professional healthcare services.
Visit website →This vibrant seniors' community offers independent living with a focus on active lifestyles and social engagement amidst the beautiful mountain scenery. Residents enjoy a range of amenities and organized activities that promote connection.
Visit website →A comprehensive seniors' living community offering independent living, assisted living, and complex care options. It provides a supportive and engaging environment with various programs and amenities to enhance residents' quality of life.
Visit website →The Village at Squamish provides a welcoming seniors' community with a focus on active living and access to the natural beauty of the Sea-to-Sky corridor. It offers various care levels and a rich calendar of social events to promote engagement and well-being.
Visit website →The Village at Stonebridge offers a range of senior living options, from independent to assisted care, within a welcoming and secure environment. It emphasizes community engagement through shared spaces and organized events.
The Village at Summerhill is a retirement community offering independent and assisted living services in a beautiful setting. Residents enjoy a wide array of amenities, social events, and personalized care options.
Visit website →The Village at UBC offers independent and assisted living options for seniors within a vibrant university setting. Residents benefit from a range of amenities and programs designed to foster an active and engaging lifestyle.
Visit website →The Village at University Heights is a modern seniors' living community offering independent and assisted living options. Residents enjoy a wide range of amenities and social programs designed to promote an active and engaging lifestyle.
Visit website →Offering independent and assisted living, The Village at West Kelowna provides a supportive and engaging community for seniors. Residents can enjoy a variety of social activities and convenient services.
The Village at Westmount is a seniors' living community offering a range of services from independent to assisted living, fostering a vibrant and supportive atmosphere. Residents benefit from comprehensive amenities and programs designed to enhance their quality of life and encourage social interaction.
Visit website →The other path
If your state's list is thin, that's not a dead end; it's the reason this project exists. Three friends on one street is already a community. The guide walks you through the whole path.
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