Serene pond surrounded by lush green trees and aquatic plants.

Julian Woods Community

  • Communities

About the Communities

  • Established
  • Home-sharing
  • Rural

Founding year

  • 1970

What we do

Julian Woods Community (established 1975) is a group of 17 adult members, one child, and several residents/potential members on ~250 acres. Some of the land is cleared, but most of it is forest and small stream. Our common land is held by School of Living Community Land Trust, and there are 63 acres of adjacent land (Ahimsa Village) also in the trust. We are located 15 miles from the Pennsylvania State University, in State College PA. Members may own a home lot that includes a capital investment in the common land and infrastructure. Families and Members are autonomous, financially independent, and own their own homes on small (.5-1.0 acre) private lots within our common land. Community decisions regarding the common land and infrastructure are made by modified consensus of a 5 member Board that rotates among willing members, yearly .
We own and operate a “living machine” in two greenhouses that constitute our wastewater-treatment system with almost year-round growing space. We have two deep-wells of clean potable water. We also have many small organic outdoor gardens. We are artists, teachers, carpenters and builders, business people, a forester, and various professions. However, many of us are retired or close to it. Meido maintains a Zendo for meditation, yoga, Tai Chi, and other related activities. Rick created a large artists’ studio. Deb uses the greenhouse for growing flowers for market. A committee of members maintains our gravel road, water and wastewater systems. Collectively we enjoy a swimming pond, a forest stream, forest walking trails, and occasional meals and gatherings.
We have an urgent interest in finding others to continue to build and sustain our community – especially young families and people with some experience in any of the mechanical trades. We believe that there will be 1 or 2 homes available for sale in the next year. There is a 2-bedroom apartment that becomes available from time t0 time. One member has turned the downstairs of her house into a semi-private apartment that includes a full bathroom, kitchen, and private entrance. We are actively establishing a list of people with interest in visiting and considering future membership. Please email us for more information or to begin the conversation.

Our Mission

Respect and sustain our selves, all creatures, and the eco-system as we steward the Land we live on.

  • Purpose
  • Home-sharing
  • Community type
  • Cohousing
  • Activities
  • Property management

Commemorative dates

  • January 1, 1970
  • Started planning
  • January 1, 1975
  • Started living together
  • 15 Total members
  • Open to new members
  • Open to visitors
Total
26

How to join

New owners are members of the community, as allowed in our bylaws. There is currently one home available for sale and we anticipate more availability in the next year. We encourage interested people to contact us now, especially anyone with some experience in the construction or mechanical trades.
Rental is a possibility also, and there is a path to community membership as a renter if desired.

Basic expectations or agreements for members

Call, write, or email in advance.

Primary decision-making authority

  • Small Leadership Group

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

Decision-making process

  • Leadership Decides

A single person, couple, or small group makes most major decisions.

Governance structure

  • Founder/Leader-led

Primary authority rests with the community’s founder(s) or designated leader(s).

Conflict resolution approach

We have a 5 member board that makes decisions by modified consensus. 1-2 new board members are elected by the membership each year. The full membership makes some decisions, elects the board yearly, and participates in all meetings as desired.

Economic model

  • Independent Finances

Members maintain separate personal finances with minimal sharing.

Economic scenarios for this community

  • 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

Regular fees: $85
Labor: Encouraged or suggested
We have monthly dues, currently $95/adult member or adult resident. This covers the budget for maintaining our infrastructure and other common expenses, as well as saving for future unexpected needs or upgrades.

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

Garden(s), Greenhouse(s), Swimming pond or pool, Tractor & Farm Equipment, Fire pit

Frequency of communal meals

  • 1-3 times per month

Significant food acquisition practices

  • Locally sourced

Dietary restriction

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

Community activities and engagement

  • Neighborhood, Community Housing, or Homeowner's Association

Substance use culture

  • Substance use appears in public spaces but no pressure
  • Substance use occurs primarily at celebrations or ceremonies
  • Religions
  • Christian
  • Buddhist
  • Jewish

Gender composition

  • Roughly balanced (no group over 60%)

Age demographics

  • Multi-generational (all ages well represented)

Property status

  • Privately owned

Property owner

  • By a Community Land Trust or some other kind of nonprofit

Setting

  • Rural

Countryside locations with significant distance from urban centers.

Community type

  • Cohousing

    Private homes with shared common facilities, designed for neighborly
    interaction while maintaining independence.

Self-produced energy

  • Up to 33%

Energy sources used

Self-produced food

  • Up to 33%

Local, organic, or fair trade food

  • 33 - 66%

Food systems

  • Community garden
  • Greenhouse / aquaponics
  • Land area size
    250 acres

Guest Book

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Location

  • Pennsylvania, United States

Julian Woods Community

Needs and Offers

Connecting communities through an intentional online marketplace

  • Promoted
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  • Real Estate For Sale
2 months ago

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