Open Circle

Note: The map marker is approximate. The actual address is unlisted. This community is based on personal affinity, meaning that relationships come first and everything else follows from that. It is experimental and embraces change. They have been working at this (under various names) for more than 40 years. The community spirit is powerful and alive, needing nurturing every day with caring attention to each other, their feelings, and their needs. They meet several times a week for this purpose and to coordinate their actions. The community consists of seven members, most of whom have years of prior community experience. Located in central VA, they are within an hour and a half of Twin Oaks, Acorn, Living Energy Farm, Cambia, Mimosa, and Compersia. They have close connections with members of Twin Oaks, Ganas, and Compersia communities and exchange energies for mutual benefit. They are fortunate to live in a beautiful spot at the base of Old Rag Mountain near Etlan, VA. Their 97 acres of mostly forested land borders Shenandoah National Park. They have created (and continue to create) a great physical environment for community living, including a farmhouse, three cabins, and two gardens. They also have a three-story mixed-use building in the nearby town of Culpeper, Virginia, where two members reside. This close-knit group pays a lot of attention to relationships and personal growth. They circle together for meals most days, engage in gardening and projects together, and hold meetings several times a week to stay connected and coordinate their efforts. They wish to grow their community in sustainable ways—emotionally, financially, and environmentally—and aspire to live creatively in fulfilling ways for all members. They believe that sharing is essential to group living. Decisions are made collectively, and they support each other in balancing contributions of time and money. Over the next several months, they want to take the time to fully integrate new and returning members. They need to reorganize and reflect on new directions, aiming to settle into who they are as a community. Therefore, they wish to postpone visitor periods and other membership steps for new individuals until the end of 2017 or early 2018.

Residency & Visitor Policies

Accepting New Members? No

Moving In Details:

Lot & Community Features

Average Lot Size (Sq. Ft): 10000

Number of Lots: 3

Local Population Density & Setting: Rural

Total Village Population: 7

Village Acreage: 97

Terrain: Forest, Treed, Mountain, Rolling Hills