Scenic view of a river flowing through a lush green forest in an ecovillage setting.

Living Well Ecovillage

  • Communities

About the Communities

  • Established
  • Ecological
  • Town/Small City

Founding year

  • 2008

What we do

The Living Well Ecovillage is a mixed-use community/ecovillage focused on health/wellness, sustainability, service to the greater good, and honoring the sacred.
This is a 126-acre property bordered by about a mile of frontage on the Deep River on one side and almost a mile of frontage on Sandy Creek on the other side.
The community has a combination of private and shared spaces, a community garden, a Greenway/Railtrail along the Deep River, a neighborhood park, and 53 acres of natural area buffering the creek and river. The Living Well Earth Stewards (a separate nonprofit organization) offers a monthly Folk School.
The property is beautiful with mountain-like topography, the river, rock outcroppings, high areas, the creek, trails, beautiful woods, and abundant wild edible and medicinal plants.
Our community is located near major highway corridors, just two miles from Highway 64 in the town of Franklinville, North Carolina. This property has regional appeal and access, being only a 40 minute drive from Greensboro, 15 minutes from Asheboro and Siler City, and an hour and 15 minutes from RTP (Research Triangle Park), Raleigh, Durham, and Charlotte. We are centrally located between the mountains and ocean, and at the midpoint on the eastern seaboard between New York and Florida. We are also approximately a 6 hour drive from Washington, D.C. and Atlanta, Georgia.

Our Mission

Sustainability, Wellness, Local Food, Neighborhood self-reliance, Community, Green Building, Environmental Conservation, Service.

  • Purpose
  • Ecological
  • Community type
  • Ecovillage
  • Activities
  • Property management
  • Education
  • Experiences
  • Services Business

Commemorative dates

  • January 1, 2008
  • Started planning
  • January 1, 2015
  • Started living together
  • 15 Total members
  • Open to new members
  • Open to visitors
Total
27

How to join

Our suggested application process tries to help people determine if the mission and values of Living Well fit their own values and lifestyle. We provide information and activities to help you decide whether you want to become a member of our community. Visiting the community in person is an important part of the process.

Basic expectations or agreements for members

Please contact us at least 48 hours in advance before visiting. We do have basic camping spots available for overnight visits, and sometimes have a small house that a member rents out to visitors for a modest fee. Best times to visit are usually on the weekends, but we can accommodate mid week visits if given enough advance notice.

Primary decision-making authority

  • Small Leadership Group

A few people (not elected by the broader community) make the major decisions.

Decision-making process

  • Modified Consensus

Generally seek agreement, but have backup methods when consensus isn’t reached.

Governance structure

  • Collaborative/Horizontal

Power and responsibility are shared relatively equally among members.

Conflict resolution approach

We all are leaders and we all are followers. Leadership is shared and rotated. We encourage every member to help with leadership on a rotating basis.

Economic model

  • Independent Finances

Members maintain separate personal finances with minimal sharing.

Economic scenarios for this community

  • There is a one-time fee, investment, or share purchase to join the community separate from accessing housing
  • Members need to pay fees, dues, or similar to live there on a per month or per year basis
  • There is a labor obligation
  • Members typically need to have their own job or other personal source of income to cover their expenses while living in the community?

Additional economic information

Join fee: Yes
Regular fees: Yes
Labor: Encouraged or suggested (1 hrs/week)
We do contribute to common community projects with both labor and donated additional funds.
HOA fees presently are $500/year
We encourage the development of “Green Businesses” and also shared activities to reduce costs

Shared resources and amenities that are accessible to everyone in the community

Garden(s), Outbuilding(s), Outdoor Kitchen, Fire pit, Waterfront access

Frequency of communal meals

  • 1-3 times per month

Significant food acquisition practices

  • Locally sourced
  • Wildcrafting / Foraging

Dietary restriction

  • People can cook and eat what they want in their own residence

Community activities and engagement

  • School, Educational Institute or Experience
  • Neighborhood, Community Housing, or Homeowner's Association
  • Ethical Business, Investment Group, or Alternative Currency
  • Festivals, Conferences, Events

Substance use culture

  • Substance use appears in public spaces but no pressure

Gender composition

  • Majority cis (over 60%)

Age demographics

  • Family-focused (many children and parents)

Property status

  • Privately owned

Property owner

  • By a single individual, couple, or Family Trust

Setting

  • Town/Small City

Smaller municipalities with local services but rural character.

Community type

  • Ecovillage

    Integrated communities designed around ecological principles with sustainable living practices.

Self-produced energy

  • Up to 33%

Energy sources used

  • Photovoltaic Solar
  • Biomass (from wood or other organic materials)

Self-produced food

  • Up to 33%

Local, organic, or fair trade food

  • 33 - 66%

Food systems

  • Community garden
  • Land area size
    126 acres

Needs & Offers

Offer
  • Real Estate For Sale
2 months ago

“Lots” of Goodness For Sale!

Are you seeking to live in a sustainable, wellness-oriented community that prioritizes nature and environmental conservation? Living Well Ecovillage offers the perfect opportunity to be part of a vibrant, self-sufficient community committed to holistic health and ecological harmony. Available lots are equipped with city utilities and fiber internet access. Located in a unique mixed-use community with a variety of land uses planned for the future, including small business/commercial spaces, tiny houses, cluster housing, and a 10-acre farm. Currently, there are still 7 lots available. The Ecovillage is home to a diverse range of homes, such as timber frame, Deltec, hempcrete, and Net-Zero energy designs—all built with green building principles in mind. This community prioritizes sustainability and wellness in every aspect of life. About the Living Well Ecovillage Spanning 126 acres, the Living Well Ecovillage is bordered by the Deep River and Sandy Creek, offering stunning natural beauty and a tranquil environment. The Ecovillage includes shared spaces like a community garden, a Greenway/Rail Trail, and a neighborhood park. Over 53 acres of natural land buffer the river and creek, preserving the area’s pristine beauty and offering residents a true connection to nature. Your Dream Home Awaits Find your ideal spot to build your sustainable home, surrounded by trees, rock outcroppings, and abundant wild edible plants. Experience breathtaking views and a peaceful setting, perfect for those seeking a slower, more connected way of life. A Community That Supports Wellness The Living Well Ecovillage is not just about space—it’s about community. With access to the Folk School, residents engage in hands-on learning, sustainable practices, and personal growth, fostering a sense of belonging and purpose. Perfectly Located Just

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Location

  • North Carolina, United States

Needs and Offers

Offer
  • Communities with Openings
2 months ago

Community House in SE Portland Seeks Membership!

Ellis Street Community House is seeking kind, present, and engaged new housemates with experience in community living. We are currently 3 adults, one baby, and two cats living in a 6 bedroom, 3 bath house on ÂĽ acre of land near Powell Butte nature park and the Springwater Corridor bike trail. We expect to be joined by a shy and sweet 2 year old in the next few months. For us, living in community is a collaborative process, one that helps improve our quality of life. We’re able to eat great food, keep the place clean, maintain a garden, and hold a space large enough to host guests and events by working together. We have an extensive community library and art/craft material collection, as well as a great tea selection, stocked pantry, and functional kitchens ready for feast-making, canning, and fermentation dreams. We make kombucha, ginger beer, sauerkraut, bone broth, natto, and apple/pear butter on a rotating basis. With two fridges and two deep freezers we can save blueberries and blackberries we harvested from close by and get meat directly from farmers. We hold potlucks and other events like bonfires and game nights about once a month, and make a house dinner together weekly. We maintain a home free from artificial fragrances and voice-activated technology. The larger downstairs room is available for $740 per month. The smaller downstairs room will be available for $600 per month starting on September 1rst. The main kitchen is on the second floor. We also have private outdoor space for someone sleeping in their home on wheels available for $200-500 per month depending on the size of the vehicle. This would include membership in the community and use of the common spaces. Guest space is available for friends and relatives of residents – upstairs there is an office/guest room for longer visits, and the couches/pads in the common areas are available for shorter stays. The home has heating and cooling through an efficient heat pump, and we ju

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An institution, business, network, or project that isn’t a residence (e.g. a learning center, farm, or network with no one living there full-time).

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