Cohousing-L Mailing List: wanting to start forming a community

[Emma Kramer-Wheeler (kombu]

I've been lurking on this list for a couple of months now, and it's been very
educational - thank you all!

I am interested in getting moving on the very beginning stages of forming a
new community.  I'd like to live in community in rural western massachusetts
(nearish worcester or amherst, but not too near, and preferably just outside
some nice small town), on land that includes an area for organic farming. 
Through the research I've done so far (I have the Communities Directory), I've
not been able to find such a community already in existance. 

So, I am faced with the daunting task of forming one.  I have no money to
speak of, and there are no other interested parties besides myself and my
partner.  I have only vague ideas of what sort of community it would be - pure
co-housing? some kind of mix?  Shared income?  etc...  
 
I currently live in the mid-west (madison, wi), and intend to move back to the
northeast in no less than a year and 2 months (work-related time line). 
However, I'll be visiting NYC (where I'm from) in March/April of this year,
and I have this notion that perhaps I should try to do some outreach and put
together a small group of potentially interested parties to begin hashing this
out.  

I would not be available to meet with them regularly in person at this point,
but we could always talk on-line.

I guess I'm just afraid to put off the starting-up process until I'm back in
the east, for fear it will take years and years and I will have to rent here
and there in between.  I want this to *happen*, and sooner than later.

Can anyone give me any advice?  I know I'm not asking very specific questions,
so it might be hard.  Perhaps point me towards other helpful (and free)
resources besides the IC web site and here?  What do you think my first step
should be?  What are some cost-saving suggestions for decisions we'll make
early in the process?  and whatever else seems useful to share...

I have tons more questions about other stuff, but I'll stop here for now.

Thanks!
Emma
_______________________________________________
Cohousing-L mailing list
Cohousing-L [at] cohousing.org  Unsubscribe  and other info:
http://www.communityforum.net/mailman/listinfo/cohousing-l