Fox Run Orchards

Intentional Community in Lebanon, New Hampshire

Here at Fox Run, located in Lebanon, New Hampshire, +/- 8 people live in a large farm house overlooking rolling mountains with a luscious garden and orchard in the backyard. These folks range in ages from 4-40’s and are mostly associated with Dartmouth College only 6 miles from here. So far the people I have spent the most time with have many shared interests and values as me. I’ve already been taken swimming at a nearby swimming hole and on a bike ride on the local trail. A new housemate named Hannah and I hosted a shabbat dinner last Friday for all who were present and it was so lovely. I made black bean quinoa soup, roasted fresh picked asparagus, Hannah made delicious challah that was devoured, and other pals made roasted butternut squash. We sang songs, danced, and shared the blessings over the wine, bread, and candles, and then all reflected on our weeks. We only arrived here Wednesday evening (today is Saturday, June 3) and we have been welcomed with open arms and lovely hospitality. 

Witnessing the dynamic here has been a refreshing reminder of the openness and generosity of most humans. This intentional community is centered around sharing and growing food, lending emotional support, respecting boundaries, uplifting each other, and living in a community simply for the fun of it. I love it here! So many friends to spend time with, no need to make plans if you’re already home with fun friends all ready to get together or do a group activity (i.e. bike ride, yoga, baking, etc.). Of course alone time is a necessity for most and that is also respected and everyone has their own room to recharge. If you’re someone who gets overwhelmed by lots of people and guests coming in and out of your space, then a place like this is not for you. However if lots of loving happy people fill your cup then I highly recommend considering this living situation where things actually run smoothly, and it works.

People often criticize communal living saying that it doesn’t function in the real world and people are too selfish to share their things with others. It's not true! At heart I think people crave community and naturally benefit from being surrounded by others to help carry our loads. Today most Americans live individual lives working so that they can afford a nice house to live at alone or with a partner and cook for themselves each day or be forced to buy highly overpriced restaurant food. Here, if you don't feel like cooking, it's likely someone else already did, and you probably won't have to go grocery shopping hardly ever since there's an abundance of bulk ordered food that lasts ages, and it's significantly cheaper. On top of all that, the house is centered around the orchards and garden in the back yard that everyone has a role in managing and wwoofers are welcomed to stay in the community and help care for the vegetable gardens that will go toward feeding the house as well. There's a communal grocery list that anyone can add to when something runs out and costs are shared equally to still come out cheaper than shopping for individuals and you won't ever run low on food. In that way it's a huge cost saver and a way to share meals with friends. There's also leftovers galore properly labeled and dated! How nice.

Back yard view overlooking orchards and gardens

In this community, if you don't own something that you need, someone else will let you borrow it. If something is specifically yours, just put your name on it and no one will mess with it. It just makes sense. There's no restrictive rules or regulations. Just to be a considerate person and it’ll all go smoothly. Young folks who share values getting to live in community and actually make it work is something that is highly against the norm and is hard to come by. There should be more places like this out there (and zoning laws need to change to make this more accessible!!) where life can be richer and more affordable than our normative counterparts expect us to manage.

A takeaway I have from witnessing this is that, for me, this type of living satisfies my need for community and a solid support network and is located in a beautiful town in the mountains on New England where there’s no bustle of a big city and plenty of space to bike, hike, and be in nature. Sometimes the reality of living in a city to be where there’s “endless things to do” actually ends up feeling overwhelming and all too often way overpriced. Nothing beats spending quality time with good people while doing the things you care about most. Simplicity is key.

I wonder if my need for privacy and rest would be stifled by the communal aspect of this home…?

I cant wait to share more insights on this lovely place after staying here a bit longer!