When I was thirteen years old I started to have the idea about a place where people would live together in a different way than in this society. They would do things they like to do and not just for themselves but for the well of others. They would express themselves freely and also in an artistic way. Finding out about themselves as the most important ‘work’ because knowing that we are all in a growing process, to free ourselves to connect with spaces beyond ourselves. I designed places like this and years later I studied architecture still with the same vision. Then life took over for twelve years with family life, making money, etc. until this finished and I found a beautiful place in midst of unspoiled nature. I bought this land and started to realize my dream. The first years I build up the place. Some times alone, some times with paid workers. When the buildings were finished I offered the place to therapy groups. This went on for a few years.
It was difficult to find people for such a project, except hippies in those days, who wanted to space out. I was strictly against use of drugs, alcohol and tobacco and there seemed hardly anybody without. People came, were staying for some time and then left. This went on for several years and I learned a lot about human behavior… To make the long story short: I tried for more than thirty years. Once I wanted to give up and I had sold the place already with a small down payment, but then the buyer had an accident and I had to move back. Years past by and again I wanted to give up and offered the place for someone who would continue with a similar intention. I wanted to give the place for free, but nobody responded. Probably people thought this is a trick or I’m crazy. So I continued and sometimes there were times when up to twenty people were living together and were feeling good, things worked quite well. But all were traveler and after some time they left, again a coming and going.
Our place is pretty well organized: There is living space for about twenty people, there is plenty of food for even more people, there are absolutely no money problems and there is all the freedom one can dream of. At the moment there is too much work for the few people living here, but with four/fife people more it would be easy and with four hours of daily work we could maintain the place, animals and the people here. The last two years there was a lack of people and work has accumulated, so we need still to clean up, but the chaos is not worse than somewhere else… We are working on several projects like distributing information about meditation or how we call it now: ‘StressReleaseExercise’ and also we are offering our place to all kind of groups and this for free. One word more to the money aspect: We don’t deal with money, every thing we do is because it feels right, we don’t charge and we don’t pay. It really works! We get all what we need and more… A really exciting experience!
You might ask now why there are not enough people interested to live permanently there? The main reason is, that we don’t offer concepts, not spiritual and not religious. There is no leader or guru or any kind of authority, that’s what people prefer, but we need people to take self-responsibility. We need people who are capable to let go of their established concepts and deal with reality how it shows up, whatever this might be and then respond in a free way, not just reacting out of their unconscious background or at least being able to observe their reactions. Most people who come here are bringing their well-established self-image and concepts with them and then they want confirmation for this. And this is not what we can give. We can give space to experience oneself, to work on oneself, etc. but not giving confirmation for whatever concepts and for sure not for spiritual ones! How many people came here and then wanted to convince us of their beautiful spiritual concepts! Oh boy!
The last few months we went to a heavy experience with a kind of ‘troll’ who nearly destroyed all. Several people left and now there can happen a new beginning or it might be the end of my intention. The last few weeks I engaged myself in ‘answers.yahoo’ and I enjoyed it. I might continue writing here, but to do this I don’t need this place, I can do so from everywhere in the world. So I do this effort writing this ‘question’ with the hope that people will respond and so there might come several people together who will join us in our ‘crazy intention’, being in this world, reaching out to new horizons…
BeiYin
PS: If you are interested to read more about our place then go to: http://falconblanco.com

I went to your Web site… Your intention is very special, there might be people ready for it, but how can you find them? I don’t know. You only can continue trusting that their growing force will draw them to your place…
Your persistence is admirable, I know several people who started a similar project and they all gave up after two or three years. There are communities that has been working for many years, but all these have established a strong structure, based on authority or business – and that’s not what you want.
I will tell friends about your project and maybe one or the other might be interested to join. I would be interested myself, but I can’t get out where I am.
Rahmona

If I installed energy efficient features in my house such as, Energy Star appliances, EcoQuest products, skylights, larger windows, and a solar power system on my roof; how much would these features contribute to the equity on my home?

Any upgrades you make to your home ideally make it worth more, but honestly this all depends on the housing market itself, what local properties are going for in your area, and what your property taxes look like. Your house will likely be more appealing to home buyers looking for energy conscious and cost-efficient properties, but if the housing market is dire in general than you obviously will not be getting much for your property regardless. It’s hard to say to what amount your house will be worth more so much as it just makes your home more desirable and more marketable to potential buyers (and with any luck if you get more than one or two interested parties, you’ll have bidding occur and reap the rewards.) That’s all you can really do.

I heard some recent advice that I’ll share: Keep up with, but don’t surpass, the Jones. If you make too many upgrades to your home to the point that it prices it that far above what properties in your neighborhood are going for, they can be wasted features. Someone might be willing to pay a bit more for a house with amenities and features, but not so far above local competition.

That said, you may be able to claim all those upgrades as tax deductions this year, and potential home buyers might be able to make some very small deductions later, so that’s to be considered to. Though I would check next year’s tax codes as that’s never a definite.

just enough to feed yourself so that you can have free time to do whatever you want?

How much would a rental apartment cost? How much would a house cost?

First figure out how much money you need each year to be happy. In the San Francisco area you would probably need at least 50 thousand a year to live comfortably.

Most investment counselors will tell you never to spend more that 6% each year of the money you have invested. Some years you will make more through growth and interest but like is happening now, some years you will lose money. But 6% is a good average. As long as you don’t take out any more over the long run you will never run out of money.

To get $50,000 each year on a 6% return, you will need nearly $850,000. Good Luck !!

I’m working on a design for a house for my husband and I, we’ve decided it would be best to start from scratch and buying a foreclosure home instead of buying a new house and tearing everything out anyway.

You might find something if you visit the link below. I know most of the tips are geared for new home construction and living a more earth-friendly lifestyle, but you might pick up a few ideas.

http://www.thehouseplanshop.com/58/content/Green-Building-and-Energy-Efficient-Tips.php

At BSU
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I just want to know what you would choose, I am having troubel in chooseing one, I am open to anything

Thanks.

Business Admin, Economics, Sociology – those would be useful. Pick something that compliments your major.

I am studying to be a civil/environmental engineer and am looking for organizations and conventions to get involved in that has much to do with sustainable design. Also I would like to even get involved with non-engineering sustainability and green, organizations and conventions. Also is there like a green expo similar to the Consumer electronics expo or something.

There may or may not be a national green conference, but I am guessing there is because there is one in the Upper Midwest of the USA. Here is the link:

http://www.o2umw.org/intro.html

I am sure that once you are browsing their website you’ll find something along the lines of what you’re looking for. Happy green designing!

My husband and I are interested in becoming a little more eco friendly and would like a windturbine and some solar panels for our house.

How much might these cost? Are there government grants available to help pay for them (I’ve heard there are)?

Who would install them?

Do I have to seek planning permission etc.?

What would be the first step?

I’m in the UK, by the way.

You definately need planning permission. Solar panels & a wind turbine are very expensive…around £20,000 so it may be worth calculating how much it will save you over the life of your house before paying out all that money. In reality the only people who will really benenfit is the next generation of people who buy your house. So how green are you really?

please reply me as i am unable to find the answer…dnt joke please answer if any body knows it….i really need help on that question

I think it is because sustainable construction cost more initially, but in the long run it is worth every penny

Company profile and exploration of current green and sustainable building techniques.

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http://www.SolarEnergyGuide.net – Energy Efficient House Design – How To Design Energy Efficient House
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In the words of RMI’s chairman and chief scientist, Amory Lovins, In order to make cities cleaner and more energy efficient, there is a real need for a ..National Semiconductor · Electronic Parts
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