More and more people are discovering a real alternative to classic forms of living in the joint design of new living models. Multi-generational constellations play just as central a role as other motivations. It has long been observed that the mixture of old and young people in a shared flat helps to relieve both sides and that the state of health of the elderly improves dramatically as soon as they are surrounded by young people again. The influence of seniors on children and young people has also been proven to be positive and helps young families to lead a balanced life. The disintegration or geographical dispersion of many families of origin makes the adopted family an attractive alternative, especially when the unifying themes are based on shared values.
Many communities around the world have built up a wealth of knowledge over the past few decades and have tested a wide variety of models for successful coexistence. Ranging from simple senior living communities to entire ecovillages (see ecovillage.org), it is not surprising that more and more people are looking for new solutions for their old age.
The high synergy effect that such communities can more easily obtain energy, heat, food and other things is a positive side effect that is increasingly becoming the focus of motivation. The state services of general interest are becoming more and more fragile and the supply situation in the countryside or in peripheral areas is getting worse, so that the investment of private money in supply structures that can be used by oneself is becoming more and more profitable. Self-sufficiency is therefore not a rebellious act, but a security concern when looking at the rapidly increasing electricity and gas prices.
Such a community then no longer only deals with the question of affordable and age-appropriate living space, but increasingly with the question of how one would like to live in the future. Necessity becomes a virtue when the right people realize that their money is invested safely and that their supply situation is secured in the long term. The driver of such a community is then no longer the deficit and the worry, but an ever clearer picture of community services of general interest.