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 Virginia — 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.
Camphill Soltane is a vibrant community where people with and without disabilities live, learn, and work together. They offer a range of programs and workshops focused on holistic development and social inclusion.
Visit website →A lifesharing community at the foot of the Blue Ridge where adults with intellectual disabilities and resident volunteers share homes, gardens, bakery, and weavery. Caregiving here is mutual, woven into farm chores and family-style meals.
Visit website →The LifeNet Community provides a supportive residential environment for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Residents live in homes with dedicated staff, promoting independence and community integration.
Visit website →A cohousing neighborhood near Charlottesville with solar-powered homes clustered around pedestrian courtyards and a common house. It welcomes families and retirees who want daily life shared with neighbors.
A cohousing community in the university town of Blacksburg, with homes ringing a common green, pond, and common house. Professors, families, and elders share meals, celebrations, and self-governance.
Walden Cohousing is an established community in Crozet, Virginia, offering a blend of private homes and shared spaces. Residents actively participate in community life, fostering strong connections and mutual support.
Visit website →Earthaven Ecovillage is an intentional community dedicated to creating a culture of sustainability and cooperation. They focus on permaculture, natural building, and living in harmony with the environment.
Visit website →A community and demonstration farm that lives entirely without fossil fuels, using direct-drive solar and durable low-tech systems. It welcomes visitors and interns eager to learn radically sustainable off-grid living.
Visit website →The Farm Ecovillage is a well-established intentional community and ecovillage focused on sustainable living and social justice. Residents share resources and work together to maintain a harmonious and environmentally conscious lifestyle.
Visit website →Abundant Life Community is a faith-based community committed to living out Christian principles through shared life and service. They focus on mutual support, spiritual development, and outreach within their neighborhood.
Visit website →An egalitarian income-sharing community founded in 1993 by former Twin Oaks members, sustained by its Southern Exposure Seed Exchange business. Members share meals, governance, and farm life, and welcome prospective members as visitors.
Visit website →GraceFields is a Christian intentional community focused on sustainable living, spiritual growth, and hospitality. They share meals, work on the land, and engage in contemplative practices.
Visit website →Koinonia Farm is a Christian intentional community and farm dedicated to peace, justice, and racial reconciliation. They practice sustainable agriculture and welcome visitors to learn about their way of life.
Visit website →Little Portion Farm is a Catholic Worker community dedicated to simple living, hospitality, and social justice. They operate a small farm and offer a place of welcome and service to those in need.
Visit website →Shepherd's Spring is an outdoor ministry and retreat center that fosters community and spiritual growth in a natural setting. They offer opportunities for individuals and groups to connect with nature and engage in meaningful service.
Visit website →The Light Center is a spiritual community dedicated to personal growth, healing, and conscious living. They offer workshops, retreats, and a supportive environment for individuals seeking a deeper connection to themselves and others.
Visit website →One of America's longest-running secular income-sharing communities, founded in 1967, where about 90 members share work in tofu-making, hammock crafting, and farming. Visitors are welcomed through a structured visitor program to experience egalitarian communal life.
Visit website →A Trappist monastery in the Shenandoah Valley, where monks bake famous fruitcakes and steward riverside farmland. Its retreat house welcomes guests of any faith seeking silence and rest.
Visit website →An ashram community on the James River founded by Swami Satchidananda, centered on the lotus-shaped LOTUS shrine honoring all faiths. Residents and guests practice Integral Yoga together through retreats, service, and daily practice.
Visit website →Brandermill Woods is a comprehensive retirement community offering independent living, assisted living, and memory care. Residents enjoy a wide array of activities, services, and a strong sense of belonging within a beautiful setting.
Visit website →Collington is a continuing care retirement community that provides a range of living options and services for seniors. It fosters a supportive and engaging environment with a focus on well-being and community.
Visit website →Lake Anne Fellowship House provides affordable housing and services for low-income seniors. It fosters a supportive community where residents can age in place with dignity and access to essential resources.
Visit website →The Hermitage on the Eastern Shore is a senior living community offering independent living, assisted living, and memory care services. It provides a comfortable and caring environment where residents can thrive.
Visit website →The Village at Leesburg is an active adult community offering a vibrant lifestyle with various amenities and social opportunities. Residents enjoy a close-knit environment with shared interests and activities.
Visit website →The Village at Orchard Ridge is a vibrant senior living community offering independent living, assisted living, and memory care options. Residents enjoy a wide range of amenities and social activities designed to foster connection.
Visit website →Westminster Canterbury Richmond is a premier continuing care retirement community offering a full spectrum of living options and services. It is known for its vibrant community life, extensive amenities, and commitment to resident well-being.
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.
Start a community — the guide Create or join a group Register your interestBrowse by state