Ask HN: What types of alternative communities have you seen work or not and why?I’ve always been interested in alternatives to the discrete, isolated mode of living that most Westerners are familiar with. Think an individual, couple, or nuclear family living on their own property without sharing resources with neighbours or extended family.There are a wide range of alternatives out there, from multigenerational households to ‘intentional’ communities of over 1000 people. Some of the larger examples include urban communities like Christiania in Amsterdam or Hunziker Areal in Zurich and of course the more traditional rural communes - often founded during the counter-culture revolution of the late 60s and 70s. Most examples that I’m aware of have some kind of ‘intention’ other than simply existing. Things like low energy use (e.g. so called 2000 watt societies like Hunziker Areal), shared religious or spiritual beliefs, or some other foundational principals like concern for the environment. Another thing that a lot of these communities often share is some kind of ent