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 Wisconsin — 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.
While primarily a nature preserve, The Ridges Sanctuary offers unique residential opportunities for staff and volunteers who live on-site, fostering a close-knit community dedicated to conservation. This arrangement creates a living situation deeply integrated with environmental stewardship and shared purpose.
Visit website →Canticle Court offers assisted living and memory care services within the compassionate framework of the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi. It provides a nurturing home where residents receive personalized care and support.
Visit website →Clare Hall provides assisted living and skilled nursing care within the larger community of the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi. It offers a supportive environment for aging sisters and others seeking compassionate care.
Visit website →While the Sisters of St. Francis of Assisi are listed, the St. Ann Center is a distinct community-living option focused on intergenerational care. It provides a vibrant, inclusive environment where children, adults, and seniors receive care and engage in shared activities.
Visit website →A 40-household cohousing community near Madison's Arboretum, mixing apartments, townhomes, and a large common house. It welcomes a wide range of ages and incomes into everyday shared life.
Prairie Hill Cohousing is an established community in Madison, offering a blend of private homes and shared spaces. Residents actively participate in community life, fostering strong neighborly connections and mutual support.
Visit website →Troy Gardens Cohousing is part of a larger conservation park, providing a unique living experience intertwined with nature. This community emphasizes sustainable living and collaborative decision-making among its members.
Visit website →A close-knit cohousing community in the Greenbush neighborhood near downtown Madison, completed in the late 1990s. It welcomes households of all kinds who want walkable city life with committed neighbors.
The Lighthouse offers affordable shared living spaces in a vibrant urban setting. Residents enjoy communal meals and activities, fostering a supportive environment.
A nonprofit federation of housing co-ops around Madison offering affordable rooms since 1968. It welcomes students and workers who want democratic households with shared meals and low costs.
Visit website →While primarily a food co-op and cafe, The Riverwest Co-op is deeply embedded in the Riverwest neighborhood's community-oriented ethos. It serves as a hub for local engagement and shared values, reflecting a strong community-living spirit.
Visit website →Anathoth Community Farm is a Christian intentional community focused on sustainable living, hospitality, and social justice. They engage in organic farming and offer educational opportunities related to simple living and faith.
Visit website →Genesis House is a Catholic Worker community in Milwaukee dedicated to hospitality, nonviolence, and social justice. They provide shelter and support to those in need, living out principles of voluntary poverty and service.
Visit website →The Catholic Worker House in Milwaukee is an intentional community dedicated to hospitality for the poor and social justice. Residents live simply and share resources, embodying principles of nonviolence and service.
This Catholic Worker community provides hospitality and support to the homeless and marginalized in La Crosse. Residents live together, sharing resources and working for peace and justice in their local area.
Visit website →This Catholic Worker community provides hospitality to the homeless and engages in acts of mercy and social justice. It operates on principles of voluntary poverty, pacifism, and communal living.
Visit website →The Dwelling Place is a Christian intentional community focused on hospitality and social justice. They welcome individuals seeking to live out their faith in community.
Visit website →The Farm of the Little Hills is a small, intentional community focused on sustainable living and spiritual growth. They practice permaculture and strive for a harmonious relationship with the land and each other.
The Franciscan Peacemakers operate a community dedicated to serving women recovering from exploitation and addiction. They provide a safe, supportive living environment focused on healing and empowerment.
Visit website →The House of Peace is a community center that also offers transitional housing, fostering a supportive environment for individuals and families. It provides resources and a sense of belonging to those seeking stability and growth.
Visit website →The Reba Place Fellowship is a Christian intentional community with a focus on shared life, service, and peacemaking. Members live in various households and share resources, meals, and spiritual practices.
Visit website →An ecumenical Benedictine monastery outside Madison where sisters restore prairie land and pray in one of the greenest buildings in the country. It welcomes people of all denominations for retreats, worship, and volunteering.
Visit website →The motherhouse of the Sinsinawa Dominican sisters, set on a striking mound in southwest Wisconsin since 1847. It welcomes guests for retreats, its famous bakery, and collaborative farming on shared land.
Visit website →This monastery is home to Benedictine Sisters dedicated to a life of prayer, work, and community. They offer a contemplative presence and engage in various ministries.
Visit website →A contemplative community of Benedictine nuns dedicated to prayer, work, and hospitality. They live a monastic life, offering spiritual solace and a peaceful environment.
Visit website →This community of Benedictine women lives a life of prayer, work, and hospitality. They offer retreats and welcome guests to share in their contemplative life.
Visit website →This community of Franciscan Sisters lives a consecrated life of prayer and service, inspired by St. Francis of Assisi. They are involved in education, healthcare, and other ministries.
Visit website →A community of Catholic sisters dedicated to prayer, service, and social justice. They live communally and engage in various ministries within the La Crosse area and beyond.
Visit website →Rooted in the Franciscan tradition, this center provides a peaceful environment for spiritual growth and reflection. While primarily a retreat center, it offers opportunities for extended stays and immersion in a faith-based community.
Visit website →The Priory of St. Benedict is a Benedictine monastery for women, offering a life of prayer, work, and community. They welcome guests for retreats and shared spiritual experiences within their contemplative environment.
Visit website →This community of Catholic sisters is committed to serving those in need through education, healthcare, and social justice initiatives. They live a communal life rooted in prayer and service.
Visit website →This congregation of Sisters follows the Franciscan tradition, living a life of prayer, community, and service. They are committed to social justice and care for creation.
Visit website →The Sisters of the Divine Savior are an international congregation dedicated to bringing the good news of salvation to all people. They live in community and serve in various ministries.
Visit website →This convent is home to the Sisters of the Sorrowful Mother, who live a life of prayer and service within their community. While primarily a religious residence, it embodies a strong sense of communal living and shared purpose.
Visit website →A famously community-minded Milwaukee neighborhood known for its co-op grocery, cooperative bar, block parties, and 24-hour bike race. It welcomes artists, families, and idealists of every background.
Highland Green offers independent senior living with a focus on community and active lifestyles. Residents enjoy a variety of social activities and amenities designed for comfort and engagement.
Visit website →Oakwood Village offers comprehensive senior living services, promoting an active and fulfilling lifestyle for its residents. The community provides diverse programs and amenities to support well-being and social interaction.
Visit website →A membership village helping Madison-area older adults stay active and independent in their own homes. Members enjoy vetted services, classes, and a real web of neighborly support.
The Ridges of Geneva offers a vibrant senior living experience with a focus on community and active lifestyles. Residents enjoy a range of amenities and social opportunities designed to foster connection and well-being.
Visit website →This senior living community offers independent and assisted living options in a picturesque setting. Residents benefit from a close-knit community, engaging activities, and convenient access to local amenities.
Visit website →Luther Manor provides a comprehensive senior living community with various levels of care and independent living options. It emphasizes a supportive environment where residents can thrive and engage with their neighbors.
Visit website →The Village at Manor Park offers a vibrant senior living experience with a focus on community and well-being. Residents enjoy a range of amenities and social activities designed to foster connection and an active lifestyle.
Visit website →This community provides a range of senior living options, fostering a supportive environment where residents can thrive. It emphasizes wellness programs and opportunities for social connection among its members.
Visit website →This vibrant senior living community offers independent and assisted living options, fostering a strong sense of belonging among residents. They enjoy a variety of social activities and amenities designed for an active lifestyle.
An independent living community designed for active seniors seeking a vibrant and engaging lifestyle. Residents benefit from shared amenities, social programs, and a supportive neighborhood feel.
Visit website →This community offers active adults 62+ a maintenance-free lifestyle in a cooperative ownership model. Residents enjoy shared amenities and social activities, fostering a strong sense of community.
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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