Looking for a place to belong

Hi. I'm from West Virginia and I've been thinking about working towards taking off but i'm unsure of where to go. I found the page on communes through searching the internet. But it seems more like a review of cities to live in rather than a directory of places where one can live outside of society. Let me say that I'm completely sober, but I just don't fit into the world. I don't have any friends at all or family. I don't know what else to do with myself. I'm afriad I might have to live some sort of life where I move on every few months so that no one has a chance to get to know me. I also don't know how long I can put up with not having a friend in the world or a soul to talk to. I just wish there were someplace I could live outside of society and people wouldn't use me as something to dump on and feel superior too.

 

gen.ecovillage.org

Try this page for a start. I believe there is a lot of places in USA you can go. I'm from Finland. I plan to be a farmer in 2 or 3 years from now. I dream of this kind of commune that is formed in some way spontaneously. A place where this kind of people may go if they need a place, no money needed, people may do what they want: take part in the works or make music or other arts or meditate or I don't know what, just camp out and enjoy life. I don't know if it ever happens or if it's possible but it's my humble dream. You're wellcome to my farm if I manage to start it. Ofcourse it's a bit of a distance from WV..

 

Well, Wintersashes,
I've lived like that. Roaming. It's a great life. Sometimes you get lonely, but I'll bet I've seen more of the country than most folks. There is so much to see and do in this great country, and it's there for everyone. Believe it or not, the government can't charge fees for everything!

Phoenix

 

Hey winter....I bet I know exactly how you feel, I am kind of in the same boat over in Ohio. I have no family, no real desire to "succeed" in terms of the material world. My friend and I are getting ready to hit the road at the end of next week, just waiting on last paychecks.
If you still need a soul to talk too, I'm willing to listen.

-B

 

There are many stable communes out there-- ic.org has a list, & they publish a directory, but there's also a whole lot that aren't listed anywhere.

That said, it is possible to move every few months & yet know the same people: Just follow the rainbow trail. Gatherings are also a good opportunity to learn about the communes that are out there, even ones that don't have a public face, & just generally to tune in to the various vibes going down, & find out what's right for you.

There are lots of places for you to belong, & lots of people to connect to. Probably even some in WV. Just keep your eyes (& your heart) open.

<3

 

I've been loking for that place for a long time and I've found bits and pieces of it here and there (lived on a few communes, traveled with the carnival off and on for a long time) but so far I haven't found anyplace that meets all the criteria.

I'm sober too and that limits some of the options a bit. Most of the people (but not all) I've met living outside of society were either criminals or homeless drug addicts/alcoholics.

I haven't given up yet though. Next stop is Hawaii. and I have to admit, the search has been fun.

 

Hey I wouldn't mind living in Finland! But I'm sure I couldn't live there in a commune without getting deported because I didn't come in on some fancy $100k/year job for citizenship. Plus I've got 4 cats so that's a package deal.

I've been wondering though...moving on every 3 months may be too soon. I mean, how do you keep it legal to live like that? When you have to have residency and a drivers license of that state, get a job and a new insurance policy, get your car registered there, and pass inspections and emissions tests. If you roam around every 3 months you'll never be able to maintain all of that. That's what I'm worried about. And I've got an OLD car to begin with. I seriously doubt it would ever pass an emissions test but we don't have them in WV so people can own old bombers like mine. And what happens when the laws change? I don't know what it is exactly, but they're trying to get other laws and such going to where it's going to eventually make owning anything less than a brand new car illegal. So what are all the poor people going to do? That's what I hate about society. You have to be the rich successful type just to get by because everything's so regulated and so expensive so that life becomes an all or nothing deal. You're either rich or you're homeless with nothing but the clothes on your back. I'll tell you, I wasn't allowed to learn to drive growing up and I enver had friends to help me out either. I used to think a car was something for the rich, period. And even the rednecks in their rusty old bombers had it easier than me because their parents cared enough to give them their old cars. Well a year ago the impossible happened, I saw a car advertised for $300, it was a station wagon (my life-long dream car) and I fell in love with it the second it rolled up in my driveway. (Yeah the guy drove it over then asked for a ride home when I bought it.) So I've only been driving for a year, got my liscense at 26, and I've done at least 7000 miles, and to lose that car or the right to drive it would be the worst misery I could possibly ever know. That car is my heart and my soul my freedom and my life and I can not give it up. I just want to go somehwere where I can live in peace and have my wheels. Is that too much to ask?

(But anyway, I do appriciate the replies.)

 

Heya ashes - ain't winter no more - get out of them doldrums
Life is good but it's your own perspective that makes it that way

I've worked at it a lot longer but I also know it works even in the midst of hardship and dark clouds on the horizon - got to look at that silver lining and Know that each moment brings with it opportunities that far outweigh the biggest nightmare - even if it's to face that fear so that it no longer has nightmare powers.

Lived in cars and vans for probably a total of almost 5 years. Some were by damn too small - but they were what I had and thank god i was younger - still woke up stiff and hurting.

Hey in your travels you need a place to crash - look us up (we're only an email away for directions and tel #s (not public till community is legal) - as it says under the name, we be in the S.W. Finger Lakes region of N.Y..

You can Do and Be whatever you decide you want badly enough to trade your life for - as is you DO that anyway for that which you apparently would be wishing you weren't - so why not do it for what you would like. Ain't never going to be all brightness and sunshine - but we need the rain too - iffn we want to eat...

Blessings to you along your Way

 

Things are probably easier than you think. You need to look in the right places. Although the systems suck, you may find some friendly people who make it easier. I'm sure there's a lot of places in US where you can go. The difficulty is just to start and go out there.
(I don't think it's very difficult to find a way to stay in Finland either.)

 

I don't know about the rest of the country but here in california if your car is older than '76 it's smog excempt (I'm not absolutely sure about the year but I know it's right around there. I've never owned a car in my life).

I spent close to 10 years never staying in the same place for more than a few months. as long as you're claiming residence somewhere it's not a problem.

Being on the road is one way of staying on the fringe of society without getting caught up in it.

 

So what about people in the middle - people who don't own 76's or older yet don't own something less than a few years old? So just the people in the middle have to give up their cars? Mine's an 87 and I just don't think it'd pass. True I don't know what it involves but still it's old and it's a bomber but I love it.

 

Well since you are right there in WV why not take a look at zendik farm. Don’t let the forum scare you about them. Judge it for yourself. Since you are right there you could spend a weekend there and test it out before making any big changes.

Also, I am from NY and I know the finger lake area where oldwolfs place is located. I was originally from Broome county which is not far from there. It is a very beautiful area. If his place is actually on the shores of one of the lakes that is an added plus.

 

States have to honor each others laws so long as you keep your car registered, insured, inspected and have a valid drivers license in your home state your car will be ok.

 

Oh really? I didn't know you could do that. I thought if you moved state to state every few months you would constantly have to change your plates, liscense, insurance, get inspected, etc.

 

WOAH what's this Zendik thing? It's a commune? And I could learn to be a real musician there? Well if my car is fixable and gets fixed I'm there!!!

 

As far as I know you can. You just need to have a place for your mail to go in your home state.

Well you are not really moving right? You are just visiting other places.

As for the zendiks go: Look before you leap. Talk to them and spend time there before you make a decision one way or the other.

Remember Dalamars # 1 rule: Thou shalt always keep thy options open.

 

I was just reading the Zendik thread. Well about half of it. Ok that is fucked up shit, I would not even get in for a visit if I wanted to. No way in hell am I letting any motherfucker take my car or try to change me. I was really hoping it was a real commune but it definately reads CULT to me. hell no!

 

That is your choice of course. I just wanted to give you all the options I know of and let you decide for yourself. I have been in contact with them and I do not believe everything that was in that thread. At least I do not believe it to be true now. You can always call them or send an e-mail and judge for yourself.

Anyway, there is always oldwolfs place. I don’t know anything about his place but, I do know the area. If you like nature you will like it.

Good luck in your search.

 

I was under the impression that once one reaches the point to just leave and travel that they would be well past the point of worrying about the legalities of driving...maybe you are not yet ready for the road?

 

I am ready for the road. You must prepare for anything you choose to do. Othwerwise it's just stupid. There ARE legalities out there. To ignore them would mean driving without insurance (ILLEGAL), valid registration, etc (also illegal). That will get you in serious trouble and I can't wait for your irresponsibility to catch up with you. Don't play with me. I am far more responsible about everything I do than anyone else I heve ever come across in my lifetime.