fortunity was unofficially founded in 1996, and has primarily been an experimental urban intentional community ever since. Comprised of property in four different nearby locations, we have roughly 25,000 sq.ft. of usable (or future usable) space to live and work inside of 8 structures on 9 acres situated in West Asheville, NC -- nestled within the Blue Ridge Mountain range of the southern Appalachians.

For those unfamiliar, an 'intentional community' usually refers to a group of people choosing to live and work together towards a common goal -- be it spiritual (religious or faith-based), economic (company or income-generating), social (personal growith or familial), political (issue-based) or practical (gardening or shared resources). There are probably as many reasons people come together to live, as there are people,... but the above is a quick broadstroke definition.

The fortunity community is perhaps more unique than most given it has multiple residential, commercial, and rural sites within a 3 mile radius all essentially within the city limits [of Asheville, NC]. There are existing and proposed businesses built into the plan, some which have come and gone, and some which have yet to be born. Very few communities have a dual connection which is both urban and rural at the same time, but this is what has evolved of recent -- and we're working hard to sustain the expanded infrastructure-model that currently exists.

While the number of 'core & extended core members' has fluctuated over recent years (between 3-15) -- most of us have lived together in one or more of the properties, while a few have not. There are also other tenant-residents who are not necessarily 'members', but share similar values and visions of community building and furthering or simply supporting the mission of fortunity to finish and sustain a successful model of interdependence in modern American life.

If you're interested in learning more about the intentional communities movement, please visit www.ic.org for a wealth of information and a comprehensive listing of communities existing or forming around the world. And if you're interested in learning more about us (fortunity), please call or email us direct via the Contact Us page.

Thanks and may you be living harmoniously wherever you are!

~Jonah Goldwag
(a founding fortunite)