Organic living communities (Phoenix, Tucson, Glendale: co-op, university, living in)

[rose3408]

Are there any cities in Arizona with communities of individuals who enjoy living healthy organic lifestyles, with wonderful gardens, markets, and a community in which everyone shares the same sense of values (organic). I'm not looking to live in any "remote" areas, or where they get snow.

I live in the Midwest, relocating to AZ and have been to Scottsdale, and Phoenix, but found it a bit too intense with traffic and population. I particularly didn't care having to get on 8-lane roads to get to your destination.

The problem I'm having is I love AZ and the idea of living in a less populated city, but I still want the availability of shops, especially a Trader Joe's! I live in Wisconsin in a city with a population of about 170,000, and definitely wouldn't want to get into a bigger population.

Any suggestions is greatly appreciated!

[amatrine]

Sounds like Taus NM is more to what you are looking for. There really is nothing that fits that bill here that I know of.

[NW Crow]

If you want a Trader Joe's specifically and the population to support it and all the rest of the development, the Phoenix area has several TJs. In the Phoenix area they have one in Surprise and you might want to check that area out to see if you feel it is less intense and see what you think of its pluses and minuses. They have another store called Sprouts Farmers Market. There are several farmers markets in the region. Arizona Community Farmers Markets serving Phoenix, Ahwatukee, Scottsdale, Carefree, Buckeye, and Glendale

Sante Fe NM has one TJ. If you want deep networks of businesses & folks pursuing healthy organic lifestyles I'd think they are more visible and perhaps a higher percentage of such people in Sante Fe than in Phoenix but that is a guess. Many medium or larger cities will have at least some such businesses and supporters of that if you look for them. You would get some winter there.

[observer53]

Originally Posted by amatrine

Sounds like Taus NM is more to what you are looking for. There really is nothing that fits that bill here that I know of.

It snows in Taos, too, so that comes off the OP's list.

I don't think that there's any city in AZ that would meet all your qualifications.

[Gandalara]

You could try googling "ecovillage".

I doubt if any of them have a Trader Joe's though, most of them grow their own

[Ponderosa]

The prevailing attitude in AZ is me-first and screw the rest. It's all about having more stuff than your neighbors do. Not the best place for what you want. However, there is a conjured community that sort of fits the description called "Agritopia". It's in Gilbert and they have plenty of info about it on the web. Your best bet - try Oregon.

[Kimballette]

Originally Posted by Ponderosa

The prevailing attitude in AZ is me-first and screw the rest. It's all about having more stuff than your neighbors do. Not the best place for what you want. However, there is a conjured community that sort of fits the description called "Agritopia". It's in Gilbert and they have plenty of info about it on the web. Your best bet - try Oregon.

Pond, I used to live in Agritopia. Although we loved it, it doesn't resemble what the o/p is asking for, aside from the urban farm that's part of the development. It's not the sort of farm where residents grow individual or community gardens. It's an absolutely lovely community, but probably not much more focused on "healthy organic lifestyles" than any other Phoenix suburb.

However, I do agree that Oregon's likely to offer more of what the o/p is searching for.

[swbell6]

I would suggest Tucson. I know it's bigger than the OP is looking for, but you can find a nice place to live on the outskirts of town or try one of the co-housing communities. There are two that I know of: Milagro and Stone Curves: www.milagrocohousing(dot)org and www.stonecurves(dot)org. They seem to emphasize healthy, communal living. And Tucson has a lot more earthy-crunchy types than the Phoenix area (and I mean that in a good way).

We have four Trader Joe's stores and one food co-op that sells locally grown, organic produce. And we have a good number of farmers markets, CSA (community sponsored agriculture) farms and community gardens. What's not to like?

[cacto]

tucson, even though it's not exactly what the OP is looking for.

[linda cohn]

Does anyone want to start a co op in AZ Phoenix? I was in a co op at the University Of Wisconsin and my son is is one now at the UW.