I want to live in community, but I can't afford to buy in. Are there options?

K Answered by Kibutz

Yes. Buying a home is only one route in.

• Rent within a community. Many cohousing communities and ecovillages have rental homes or rooms.
• Housing co-ops often have lower entry costs than buying.
• Income-sharing communities usually ask for work and income rather than capital.
• Volunteer or work-exchange programmes let you live in a community for a period — a good way to learn before committing.
• Join a group that’s forming and make affordability part of the plan from the start: smaller private units, phased building, mixed ownership and rental, a solidarity fund.

When you contact a community, ask directly: “Do you have options for people who can’t buy in?” Many do, but don’t advertise them.