Are We A Good Fit?

• We have high standards for the quality of our lives. Our lives are more than our work and our work is more than our jobs.
• There are community projects, committees, workshops and events, and we all contribute to some. We respect each others varied levels of skills and experience, and acknowledge that we each have some things to teach and much to learn.
• We celebrate our successes, enjoy the beauty of our surroundings, and are serious about keeping a sense of humor.
• We are a rural community, which is:
  • 1 hour from the airport (Hartford)
  • 25 minutes from hospital and services (Greenfield)
  • 15 minutes from little shops, food coop, etc. (Shelburne Falls)
• Our homes are surrounded by fields, crops, farm animals, and farming activities, not manicured lawns.
• We are willing to give up some individual choices for the benefit of the community.
• We live here because we want to be good neighbors. We all contribute to creating a vibrant community in different ways: gardening, building, cooking, canning, helping with child, elder, or pet care, bookkeeping, organizing, being a good listener.
• We own our ¾ acre house lot and share the remaining 112 acres with 18 families. We make community decisions about building and land use.
• Some of us are involved in farming or other sustainable business ventures. Others are not, but we all support these enterprises.
• Paths to the common house, community garden, and other areas of Katywil are hilly. We get good workouts!
• Some of us have pets and are responsible pet owners.
• We use natural landscape and agricultural practices to avoid using harmful chemicals.
• We purchase many of our large tools, equipment, and infrastructure as a community. We use and care for them responsibly.
• We do grocery runs, but are striving to grow and raise much of our own food, and support local farmers for the rest.
• We have 1-car garages, try to carpool when possible, and are planning for a community truck and car.
• We value a diverse multi-generational neighborhood.
• We strive for energy and space efficiency in our homes.
• Respectfully resolving conficts, tolerance, and compromise are ongoing exercises to which we are committed. Our decision making process has enabled us to work through many differences.
• We respect each other’s privacy. We all participate in some projects and social events.
• Respect, flexibility, and cooperation are important to us.
• We follow through on commitments.
• Being part of a vibrant community is a higher priority than finding a dream house.