Over the past decade, I’ve worked with hundreds of people seeking intentional communities—each with their own unique story, background, and dream. Some come to me with a crystal-clear vision; others are just beginning to ask themselves the bigger questions. But the more I do this work, the more I notice something striking:
Though we may be walking from different places, we’re all moving toward a very similar destination.
We dream of a life with meaning, connection, and a sense of belonging. A life where our neighbors know our name and our kids can roam free. A life that feels aligned—with our values, our rhythms, and our deepest hopes for the world.
Yet while the destination is shared, the paths we take are wildly diverse. Below are nine types of people I often meet in my work as a community matchmaker—perhaps you’ll recognize yourself in one (or several) of these portraits.
Mind you, this isn’t an exhaustive list—there are countless reasons people seek community—but these are some of the most common types I’ve encountered.
9 types of people looking for intentional communities
…Which type are you?
1. The village dreamer
You’ve always longed for that old-fashioned neighborhood feeling—where people know one another, share meals, help out, and watch each other’s kids. You want connection, but also private space. You’re not necessarily extroverted, but you’re tired of isolation and want to live among people who show up for each other in meaningful, respectful ways.
2. The freedom-loving homesteader
You crave independence and self-sufficiency. You’ve thought about going off-grid—or maybe you already have—and you want to live in harmony with nature, growing your own food and learning traditional skills. But you also know it’s more sustainable (and more fun) to do this with others who share your values.
3. The spiritual seeker or healing practitioner
You feel most alive in sacred spaces, around people doing deep personal or collective healing work. Maybe you’re a practitioner—yoga teacher, therapist, energy worker—or maybe you’re on your own journey. You’re looking for a community that’s conscious, grounded, and supports inner growth as much as outer change.
4. The digital nomad or remote working professional
You love the freedom of remote work and have traveled the world—but now you’re craving real connection, beyond coworking spaces and cafes. You want to explore intentional communities without committing right away. You’re seeking short-term stays, coliving options, and a taste of what it might be like to put down roots somewhere inspiring.
5. The conscious elder or soon-to-be retiree
Looking ahead to life’s later years, you want to age with intention—surrounded by others who care, in a place where your wisdom and life experience are welcome. You may have spent much of life in the mainstream, but now you’re circling back to a more communal way of life… with comfortable facilities and an easy distance to modern services.
6. The intentional parent
You want your kids to grow up in a place where they can run free, play safely, and be surrounded by caring adults. You’re looking for a village—not just metaphorically, but literally—where you can raise a family in community. Whether it’s shared childcare, forest schooling, or just a more connected way of life, you know it takes more than one household to raise a child.
7. The budget-mindful community seeker
You’re not just looking for community—you’re looking for a way to live affordably, sustainably, and with more freedom. Maybe you’re facing high rent, debt, or burnout. You’re open to alternative housing models, shared resources, and creative ways to stretch your budget while still living a rich, connected life.
8. The transitional soul in need of a landing place
You’re going through a major life transition—maybe recovering from illness, grief, burnout, or loss—and community calls to you. But deep down, you know you may need some healing first. Rather than jumping into full-time community life, you’re better served by a center or temporary space that offers care, stability, and reflection. Full community membership can come later—once you’re more grounded and ready to contribute.
9. The aspiring community founder
You started your journey looking to join a community—but somewhere along the way, you realized you’re meant to help create one. You have a vision (even if it’s still fuzzy), and you’re gathering the right people, tools, and resources to make it real. You’re not waiting for the perfect community—you’re preparing to build it.
There’s a community for you
The incredible thing is—there are intentional communities out there for every one of these types of people.
Whether you’re looking for a quiet homestead deep in the woods, a lively multigenerational cohousing neighborhood, a spiritually grounded retreat center, or a flexible coliving space for remote work, there is a place where you can belong. Some communities are rooted in shared values or faith, others in practical systems like permaculture or cooperative economics. Some are ready to welcome new members right now; others are still in the dreaming phase, waiting for someone like you to help bring them to life.
If you’re new to all this and wondering what kinds of communities actually exist, check out my blog article on the 15 Types of Intentional Communities or dive into my Guide to Life in Cooperative Culture.
These resources are a great starting point for understanding the spectrum of what’s out there—from ecovillages and cohousing to spiritual centers and income-sharing communes.
The beautiful thing about intentional communities…
As you explore what’s out there, you’ll quickly realize: no community is perfect—and that’s the point. Despite their differences, most people drawn to community are searching for the same thing: a place to belong.
And here’s the beautiful paradox—you don’t join a community because it’s finished. You join because it’s alive.
Communities are co-created, evolving ecosystems. When you arrive, you don’t just fit in—you help shape what comes next. Your story, your skills, your perspective—they matter.
If a community were perfect, there’d be nothing left for you to contribute.
Real communities are dynamic, breathing, imperfect places. They grow with the people who show up. What you see on a short visit is just a moment in motion—a glimpse of a much longer story, still unfolding.
Curious about what to expect when you visit a community for the first time?
Don’t miss my Guide to Visiting Intentional Communities, where I walk you through what a typical visit is like, how to prepare, and how to make the most of the experience.
Want support finding intentional communities?
If this post resonated with you—if you see yourself in one or more of these types—you’re invited to join the Community Finders Circle.
This is my ongoing membership program for people who are actively seeking or preparing for life in an intentional community. Inside, you’ll find:
- Guidance from me, your dedicated community matchmaker
- A network of fellow seekers, founders, and dreamers
- Monthly workshops and events to deepen your journey
- Practical tools to help you move from “someday” to soon
We weren’t meant to walk this path alone.
Come join us and take the next step toward the life—and community—you’ve been dreaming about.
Join the Community Finders Circle
It’s easy to cancel your membership anytime if you need a break from your search or if (I hope!) you find your community home. Just reach out to me with any questions about the program. I’d love to connect with you there.
—Cynthia, Your Community Matchmaker
Hi Eliezer! So great to connect with you. Sounds like you’d be a good fit for my community matchmaking service so I can work with you to identify a community fit. For example, there is a wonderful intentional community being built now on one of the Greek islands. Perhaps you’d like to visit during your upcoming trip. Let’s connect over email! My email is cynthia@communityfinders.com
Excellent insights, observations and writing, as always Cynthia. You are the rare and unique, guiding synthesis of this sustainable reality for many. Thank You for Your passionate commitment.
It seems we as individuals and together as a Species. We can all see ourselves in and identify with, to some degree, Types 1-9, which are well explained and defined here.
Types 1-9, are all looking for the same things in terms of an affordable, safe, secure, fulfilling, lasting and meaningful, quality homestead time and life experience, environment, community. It’s a reasonable and rational goal and expectation for the innate and sustainable, healthy wants and needs in all of life.
The Community Finders Circle has provided valuable insights. Delving into all of the Q and A that Types 1-9 have in the various Q and A found there. It’s a big step for any of us. There is so much processing, in the initial preparatory stage alone. That stage of, am i actually THINKING about MAYBE doing this?!?
And that’s just it. We are all processing parts and pieces of Types 1-9. We are always processing, and processing this new, life experience, in the same but divergently different ways.
One we realize this, that there is a very powerful, almost unspeakable magnetism, a potent pull, an undeniable, perhaps, innate calling even. To a potentially greater understanding that You as a Truth Seeker have always known and recognized in and around You from before birth, to beyond this brief passage of forever passing.
And, when we realize that there are Others, who are also processing these same thoughts, emotions, feelings and desires. And Others still, who have gone through all of it already, those ‘pros’ and the seasoned vets. And that there is support and a supportive support system for all of this, too.
It’s then, when we can finally, no longer hide or deny the flame of truth and desire inside ourselves and our Species. That burning, honest desire to give Life the Best, for what Life wants and needs Most.
That Being, the healthy, balanced, giving and receiving of meaningful Intention, with the full blossoming of nurtured Love and compassionate Care.
When we embody the the most healthy aspects of Types 1-9. When we are at once self and selfless, gift and giving, first and more, with Others, Best health realized through responsible Love. When we are being who and what is Best for the balanced wants and needs of our own Species and for Life. Or even if it’s some other lofty but noble ideal or something we only now, just simply dream or fantasize about.
This, this is when we are inspired by the Cynthia’s or the Community Finders Circle, or the person behind the counter down at the wherever shop, or, or, or examples galore, begin to appear in and all around us.
This is when we change our waking, plodding stasis. Into a vibrant, living reality of harmonic Truth. However, the journey of over 10 trillion miles. Begins with but a single, first step.
Thank You Cynthia. For continuing to be there, guiding us crawling toddlers who are escaping from our various rocky shelters. And, to helping us find and finally arrive and be reunited with, our Better and Best selves and community. With and through confident, competent and committed, knowing smiles and strides.
Thank You for helping us to focus on and understand the vital importance and full meaning of that foot, who its connected to,, and for our first, RESPONSIBLE step; being as crucial to healthy personal, interpersonal, and community relations and relationships success, as is our last
Thank you J for such a thoughtful response! So glad to have you as part of the Community Finders Circle 🙂
I am most or perhaps all of those to some degree.
Yes! Me too! Though mostly I’m a #1 #2 and a pinch of #4 🙂