Scenic view of a lush green yard with palm trees and cozy houses in Vista, CA.

EVO ~ The Emerald Village in Vista, CA

  • Communities

About the Communities

  • Mature
  • English
  • Social
  • Rural

Founding date

  • 2011-05-01

What we do

The Emerald Village is an intentional community founded in 2011 by 10 members, and located on a 9-acre property in Vista, California.
We are a spiritually diverse community of entrepreneurs, artists, teachers, movers and shakers.

The Emerald Village is a multi-generational community whose focus is a practice of living from higher guidance to be of greatest service to ourselves, our families, our greater community and the planet.
We practice the following as part of our personal and spiritual cultivation:
Non-violent/ compassionate communication and radical responsibility
Mindful meditation
Movement, yoga, dance, drumming and flow arts
Regular men’s and women’s groups
Sharing community meals
Regular group  meetings
Land and Animal Care

We also host a non-profit 501c3 called The Emerald Village Oasis with a focus on Learning, Ecology, Arts and Divinity. 

https://www.emeraldvillageoasis.org/visit-request-form

 

 

Our Mission

To share a thriving home connected with our land and seasons where we support each other physically, emotionally and spiritually. Through play, learning, and growth we create a nourishing and inspiring community.

  • Purpose
  • Social
  • Ecological
  • Home-sharing
  • Social
  • Languages
  • English
  • Community type
  • Cohousing
  • Tiny Houses
  • Commune
  • Sustainability practices
  • Permaculture design
  • Activities
  • Property management
  • Experiences

Commemorative dates

  • January 1, 2011
  • Started planning
  • May 1, 2011
  • Started living together
  • 4 Total members
  • Open to new members
  • Open to visitors
  • Not open to volunteers
Total
17

How to join

No path to permanent membership/ownership currently, but opportunities to rent and participate as a community member by living in one of our available homes. 

2 tiny homes available now: Application in description

The Emerald Submarine 

The Cottage 

Basic expectations or agreements for members

Visit us at www.emeraldvillageoasis.org/visit-request-form and request to join the next open community brunch (typically 2nd Sunday of the month).

Primary decision-making authority

  • Small Leadership Group

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

Decision-making process

  • Consent-Based (Sociocracy)

Decisions proceed unless someone has a reasoned objection.

Governance structure

  • Sociocratic/Circle-Based

Organized in circles or domains with distributed authority.

Conflict resolution approach

We are currently using Sociocracy as our model of governance.

We also hold a monthly circle to address both proposal forming as well as a process oriented time for any concerns, grievances or relational work. 

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: Yes
Labor: Yes (10-15 hrs/month)
Everyone contributes a minimum of 10 hours per month toward the operations of the community. Each member is expected to join one primary circle in land, maintenance or connection (human relations) as well as other project based contributions and cooking once per month. We eat community meals twice per week together. 

Vehicle accessibility

  • Most / all people own their own vehicles
  • There are car sharing opportunities in your community

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

Garden(s), Swimming pool, Hot tub, Large community Kitchen, Fire pit, Swingsets & play areas, Gym or sports area, Internet

Frequency of communal meals

  • 2-5 times per week

Significant food acquisition practices

  • Locally sourced
  • Livestock / Animal Husbandry

Dietary restriction

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

Nature of social activity

  • Social events are common

Community activities and engagement

  • Community Meals (twice per month)
  • We host outside events on our property focused on personal growth, music, culture, art and movement. 

Educational and retreat offerings

  • Whole property retreat (twice per year for 2.5 days) with meetings, play and land work (internal to residents only)
  • We offer Communities 101- how to be a good communitarian 

Local connectedness

  • We have strong relationships with our local community

Friendliness of people and local government

  • It’s a mix

Pet policy

  • Pets are allowed, with special approval or according to policy

Pets must be approved before they come in. A pet deposit is required. When we have husbandry animals, it is the owner’s responsiblity to replace or reimburse for any lost chickens or livestock if they harm them. Pick up after your own pet. 

Substance use culture

  • Substance use occurs primarily at celebrations or ceremonies
  • Substance use occurs in peripheral / discrete / only in personal or private spaces

Practiced relationship models

  • Monogamy
  • Polyamory / Open relationships / Ethical Non-Monogamy (ENM)

Member support features

  • Onsite or nearby medical facilities
  • Religions
  • Christian
  • Buddhist
  • Jewish
  • Native
  • Wiccan, Paganism, or Earth Religions

DEI and anti-oppression training

  • Yes, some individuals

Resma Menakim’s work

Internal and external practices

  • Creates spaces to hear marginalized voices
  • Develops a system for addressing microaggressions

Resma Menakim’s work

Level of LGBTQIA+ inclusion

  • Very inclusive - significant LGBTQIA+ representation

Gender composition

  • Very diverse mix across all categories

Age demographics

  • Multi-generational (all ages well represented)

Racial / ethnic demographics

  • Very diverse (many backgrounds represented)

Socioeconomic and wealth composition

  • Very diverse (mix of working class, middle class, and wealthy members)

Diversity representation

  • Neurodiverse (ex. autism, ADHD, sensory processing etc.)
  • Chronic illness
  • Mental health conditions
  • Learning disabilities (dyslexia, down's syndrome)

Property status

  • Privately owned

Property owner

  • By several individuals through an LLC or a Tenancy In Common agreement

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.

  • Tiny Houses

    Communities of small-scale dwellings (typically under 500 sq ft) emphasizing minimalism and sustainability.

  • Commune

    Communal living with shared resources, property, and often income or work responsibilities

  • Land-Based Communities

    Communities centered around shared land stewardship, sustainable agriculture, or connection to specific natural environments.

  • Spiritual Retreat Centers

    Residential communities focused on providing space for meditation, spiritual practice, and personal growth retreats.

Sustainability approach

  • Permaculture design

Land practices in our community

  • The community practices permaculture

Self-produced food

  • Up to 33%

Local, organic, or fair trade food

  • 33 - 66%

Food systems

  • Community garden
  • Land area size
    9 acres

Guest Book

Written reviews are available for plus members. Click here to upgrade.

Location

  • California, United States

EVO ~ The Emerald Village in Vista, CA

Needs and Offers

Connecting people and communities through an intentional online marketplace

  • Promoted
Offer
  • Real Estate For Sale
2 weeks ago

Beautiful 3+ Bed, 2.5 Bath Townhome in Established West Emerald CoHousing, Seattle

A rare home is available at West Emerald Cohousing, an established all-ages intentional community in West Seattle. For those considering a move to the Pacific Northwest—or hoping to join a mature community rather than one still in the forming stages—West Emerald offers decades of community life, beautiful gardens, shared resources and a peaceful setting within the city in a convenient location since 1999. This unit has a unique floor plan that is ideal for co-buying, co-living, or for one household. The home itself offers a flexible 3+ bedroom, 2.5 bath layout: Garden-level room with a separate exterior entrance and half bath—ideal for a home office, studio, guest space or client-facing business Main-level bedroom and full bath, laundry, making one-level living possible Open great room with large windows overlooking gardens filled with birdsong Well-designed kitchen with generous storage and pantry Two additional light-filled spacious bedrooms and a full bath upstairs Thoughtfully maintained and updated Located at the end of a common pathway for added privacy and garden views, Just feet from parking, which is out of view West Emerald community amenities include: Common House with gathering and activity spaces Community meals and events Mature gardens and shared outdoor spaces Workshop/maker spaces and bike barn Exercise room EV charging opportunity Excellent Metro access to Downtown Seattle just minutes away Nestled into a dell, it’s Seattle’s best-kept secret South Seattle College and lifelong learning, NW Wine Academy, the Seattle Chinese Garden are nearby, with easy access to Alki Beach, Lincoln Park, magnet schools, ferries, and the shops and restaurants of the West Seattle Junction. 6000 17th Ave SW, Seattle, WA Is a wonderful opportunity to have your own comfortable, private home while becoming part of a vibrant and well-established Seattle all-ages cohousing community. For more information contact the friendly Realtor at 206-579-9066, or at ki**********@**********te.com who will be happy to meet you there or do a facetime tour.
  • Promoted
Offer
  • Communities with Openings
3 months ago

Do you feel called to help co-create a small, newly forming eco-spiritual community?

Old structures are crumbling. New ways of living are calling. We are answering that call. Wild Grace is an eco-spiritual community located in the Sierra foothills 30 minutes from Grass Valley, California. We recently completed new homes for those who feel called to our vision. Currently there are four of us living on this sacred 80 acres of land although we are a hub for an expanded neighborhood community. Many join us weekly for potlucks, expressive dance, Qi Gong, monthly musical gatherings, and seasonal celebrations in our temple, as well as tending to our orchard. We are excited to welcome others to join us on the land who are dedicating their lives to spiritual growth and ready to live in a more focused and intimate heart-centered lifestyle. Might that be you or someone you know? The fundamentals are simple. Spirit. We listen personally and collectively together most mornings, usually starting with a musical offering, a prayer, or a short reading, followed by about 40 minutes of what we call “sacred silence.” Heart Circles. About once a week we gather to share and listen. We are informed by authentic and compassionate communication practices. Nature. The land itself—an 80-acre oasis of field and forest perched above the wild and scenic South Yuba River—calls for our stewardship in the gardens, orchard, greenhouses, and general care. In turn, nature feeds us abundantly, both literally and spiritually. Interbeing. We join with others to share inspiration and connection as we host monthly gatherings of song, story and prayer that draws from the larger community in addition to other events we share with our closer neighbors. As we attend to these fundamentals, Grace flows to and through us—often in “Wild” or unexpected ways. Grace catalyzes through us, but is not something we possess. Because we all are connected, we feel that Grace actively transforms n
Offer
  • Professional Services
1 week ago

Rebalancing your pet's well being (also looking for intentional community of animal lovers)

🌿 Can animals look after their own well-being? Science says yes! Zoopharmacognosy is the fascinating behavior in which animals self-medicate by selecting, inhaling, or topically applying plants, soils, and insects with natural well-being properties. Applied zoopharmacognosy brings these principles into practical use, providing animals with sensory choices for general well-being and environmental enrichment. 🧠 Driven by Consciousness & Evolution The Cambridge Declaration on Consciousness (2012): Signed by global neuroscientists, this milestone established that non-human animals possess the neurological framework for consciousness, intentional behaviors, and emotional states. Describing an animal experiencing fear, joy, or grief is a biologically accurate observation, not a human projection. Prominent advocates like Jane Goodall and animal lovers have always known this from personal experience! Innate Sensory Guidance: Only the animal knows the required plant and amount. This behavior is entirely guided by highly specialized senses of taste and smell, which is an evolutionary survival mechanism of animals. 👀 Incredible Behaviors Observed in Nature: 🐦 Birds (Starlings): Male starlings incorporate yarrow, wild carrot, and agrimony into their nests to ward off pests; chicks in nests lacking these plants suffer from significantly higher mite burdens (Clark & Mason 1988). 🦜 Birds (Parrots): Amazon parrots intentionally consume clay to neutralize toxic alkaloids ingested from wild plants (Gilardi 1999). 🐛 Insects: Parasitized caterpillars ingest specific plants rich in pyrrolizidine alkaloids to support their health (Singer & Bernays 2010; Smilanich et al. 2011). 🐒 Primates: Chimpanzees suffering from intestinal bugs intentionally select and consume bitter, anti-parasitic plants (Huffman & Seifu 1989). 🐑 Livestock: Lambs actively select plants high in tannins when dealing with internal challenges (Villalba & Provenza 2005). 🐘 Elephants: Excavate salt deposits to neutralize dietary toxins (Redmond 1992), and select botanical oils to support their natural defense mechanisms (Ingraham 2007). 🤝 How I Practice The IMIM approach honors the animal as an intelligent being capable of directing its own well-being by honoring its instinct and non-verbal language. I provide safe educational consultations to help you connect with your animal on a deeper level. (Contact me at ge*********@*****il.com to learn how to offer this sensory enrichment for the well-being of your animal!) ℹ️ Further Learning: Learn more about IMIM methodology, case studies and research at carolineingraham.com. ⚠️ Veterinary Disclaimer: Applied zoopharmacognosy is an educational and supportive tool for well-being. It does not offer veterinary advice, diagnose, or prescribe, and should never replace professional veterinary care.
Need
  • Communities with Openings
2 weeks ago

Looking for Founding Members to Join us

We are looking for someone who lives in Oregon or would like to live in Oregon who wants to help us clean up our new far, property and start building some off grid housing, compost toilets, fireplaces for cooking and building the farm out. We have about 10 acres and several barns, power on site for small wall tents for campers, solar panels we can setup and sooo soo much more to do.  Ideally this person would be around our age, late 20’s -early 30’s, family friendly as we have a daughter and family out sometimes. We are not looking for “anarchist” who see the glass half full and wants to ‘burn down the system’ as we farm and sell to the public, we rely on the system to pay our bills… that is really the only caveat. No hard drugs and no hard political opinions as we prefer to focus on our back-to-the-land culture, not the problem we cannot control outside the farm.  You tired of the noise and want some solitude? To get your hands dirty and build a farm from the ground up with a bunch of like minded people. All I want to do is feed people and have fun while we do it. I don’t want to try and fix the world, just rebuild the one directly around us into an oasis that we can enjoy each and everyday while keeping our moral compass pointing north. Some things to know – We do smoke pot. We like electronic and bass music sometimes and organize festivals and renegades, we still like to have fun, but when on farm, you would never know. We are super easy to be around and just want some friends who can enjoy this farm opportunity and make the most of it with us.  Kids are OK! Pets on a per person basis. Rent is negotiable ($100-300/month) with work trade being mandatory at 4 hours per week. Anything beyond that goes towards rent. Please reach out if interested or have any questions.    Kindest Regards, DJ & Reagan 
Offer
  • Communities with Openings
1 week ago

Unit C-2, Woodard Lane Cohousing — Olympia, WA

We are looking for renters and buyers who truly want to participate fully in a community living situation; to collaborate, share meals, attend meetings, share stewardship of our grounds and buildings, socialize, and share spaces including the Common House, guest rooms, tools, Center Green, vegetable garden, and more. Unit C2 is available for rent or for sale. Unit C2 Unit C2 has functioned as two units since its beginning. The lower level is currently occupied. It’s ideal if you desire ground floor ease of entry — as owner, you can live comfortably in half and rent out half. C2 For Rent (ground level) — $1,900/month Short term rental agreement with 90-day notice; includes utilities. Contact Kate Greene: yo******@***il.com or 360-789-7587 925 square feet One bedroom One bathroom Bonus room/office with loft bed Open kitchen, dining room, living room Deck view of forest Front yard garden C2 For Sale (entire unit) — $630,000 Contact Kate Greene: yo******@***il.com or 360-789-7587 1,904 square feet total (each level is 952 SF with a full kitchen and private entrance) 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms, and a laundry room Ground floor entry with no steps Two back decks that face a wooded ravine The upstairs living space is an open kitchen, dining room, and living room The lower level has a full kitchen, two bedrooms, and a separate entry Upstairs has a large bedroom with closets, and a bonus room with a full-sized loft bed Monthly dues are currently $799.00, including all utilities (electricity, gas, water, sewer, garbage) plus a healthy contribution to the reserves fund See flyer for more details

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