All of that sound so great. I would help in any way I could I have an xtensive background in consruction with a strong work record. Unfortinitly I dont have the means doing anything on my own im a follower not a leader. Plus I have plenty of cis friends to help.

Unfortinitly I dont have the means doing anything on my own im a follower not a leader.

Actually there is nothing unfortunate about that at all.  Must such efforts fail because they are all chief and no Indian as it were. 

BUMP BUMP

There are many who get disability incomes or who can work from home and i am sure we can get a groupd of people together to be able to buy something that would be a Transgender commune.. it could allow CD's to come there for events and it could be a place that accepts families. We may have to go south so that its warmer in winter time but i am sure many here want and need a place to go to and know they will never ever get ahead enough to be living stealth and on their own.

REMEMBER THIS ECONOMY WILL LAST A LONG TIME UNTIL THE REST OF THE WORLD COMES UP TO US.

Just start talking if you think you could deal with this kind of community. If you can't or don't want too then please do not post.

COME ON PEOPLE SMILE ON YOUR BROTHERS AND SISTERS.

PS: THIS IS A USA / CANADA POTENTIAL COMMUNE

NOTE: I have mine but i am willing to try to help others get theirs

Quote from: Cindy Stephens on April 08, 2010, 10:58:37 AM
I think Kaelin is on to it.  I have been following trends in Gay retirement communities.  Typically they are new so they attract a younger 55-62 clientele.  There are some specifically designed that way.  I have seen interviews with some of the residents who expressed the pleasure in being around similar people, and not having to worry about being ostracized by straights in a typical development.  I love the  idea of being in a safe environment, at least while at home.  Some place to recharge until the business battle tomorrow.  My thoughts would be 5-6 houses, communal pool, backyards open to each other with gardens, benches, places to talk, etc. Fencing at front sides of houses to reinforce idea of separateness.  A lot of estates are set up with central courtyard type configurations. The ideas are limited only by the mind and it's ability to break out of ingrained stereotypes.

This is also my idea with enough space round the homes for much needed privacy from the outside world. Land can be aquired for as little as 800.00 an acre which will support people with gardens etc. Over time it could build more cabins. Many lesbians have lands where they do this.

The idea it to start with older transsexuals living full time with incomes and abilities who start it create it and then slowly allow new people younger and younger as time goes by.

The math is what needs to be calculated so we can figure out what our cost would be to get up and running. We definately want to be out in the country so we have some freedom from zoning codes. there are many places where they have no building codes and we can build what we want.

If you search www.ic.org you will see many many people are doing this in places around the world.

I would love to help but I have limited money as I am in constrution but I do have skills needed to help.

It would be great to have a place to go through the transition without being beaten up by the cost.

I'm still waiting to hear if my PCT will approve the funding for my transition, if the answer is no then I don't see how I could afford this privately, it's taking so long to get a reply that i'm preparing myself for the worst.
I'm already struggling to make ends meet with my flat & I dont know how i'll find money for transitioning if I have to go private.

If I win tonights lottery of 166 million then i'll buy several houses around the country solely for the use of people going through the transition. . . . don't hold your breath though

I'm not sure that being too far out in the boonies is a good idea either.  People need some place to work.  I live here in Florida: most inhospitable to anyone sex or gender variant.  A British T mentioned to me that in England there are restaurants/bars staffed totally by T's that draw a mostly straight crowd.  I have always wondered if it would work here.  We have a large British/Canadian tourist population. 

I always get a little discouraged when I hear people talk about "perfect worlds" or winning the lottery.  That won't happen.  My observation is that many of our (t's) problems are really money issues.  Transition-lose job-lose girl/boy friend husband or wife-lose ability to afford surgeries of one sort or another-start downward spiral.  The news section has a really very dispiriting study on discrimination of trans.  Numbers equals power.  I understand that a very few seem to transition and maintain their financial health.  Most do not.

Imagine 10 people splitting the cost of a voice therapist and practicing together.  10 people spiltting the cost of a swimming pool/garden, patio, etc.  Ten sets of eyes to tell you which outfits really don't work.  While everyone works for the betterment of the group and ultimately themselves.   The Vietnamese came here dirt poor.  They have a tradition where they help each other start businesses.  Did you ever wonder why virtually every nail salon is stocked by Vietnamese women?  Good ones make tons of off the books cash income that they use to finance the next one - run by another relative.  They each feel a duty to each other.  Not perfect, just a different attitude from "screw you, I want mine" Americanism.  As mentioned above, I've noticed lesbians able to engender the same kind of community feeling.  American males do not.

I apologize if this is a bit disjointed.  I don't propose trying to impose Socialism or any form of communitarianism on all of America.  I understand that these ideas would not appeal to many people, and lazy, grifter types would need to be weeded out beforehand.  Much like selecting a tenant for an apartment.  But at least YOU would have control.  Not some 3rd grade educated, moonshine from a mason jar swilling, toothless, snuff dipper who thinks he's goin'ta heaven because at least he ain't no ->-bleeped-<-. 
 

Most people in the 21st century US or Canada are really not interested in living a rural lifestyle based on subsistence agriculture.  I would imagine that the percentages are the same in the trans-population.

I don't know I imagen alot of trans like myself would want to live in a safe place with like minded people to watch out and help. Many would work for a goal if it was laid out in a manner that they understand. Do your share and continue to mantain the homes for suport of others. It's like this no one person can do everything but a group can. If you are a garder then that can be your resurce that you bring to the cummunty or maybe you are a plumber then you can help build homes and repair them as needed.

Quote from: tekla on July 12, 2011, 12:38:45 PM
Most people in the 21st century US or Canada are really not interested in living a rural lifestyle based on subsistence agriculture.  I would imagine that the percentages are the same in the trans-population.

Yes Tekla i have to agree.. However, with people pushing BUY LOCAL and the bad economy people can get ahead by growing organic food. My little 1/4 acre will provide another 900.00 plus all i can eat and store for spending maybe 100.00 in seeds. Thankfully here on the east coast up here in Pa we get regular rain all summer long to water our gardens. Heck i am even late planting but i will do great. I will rotate my crops so i won't need fertilzer except maybe a 20.00 bag of lime and 30.00 in mulch hay. My garden took me about 36 hours work spread out over 12 hours hoeing rows and 12 hours mulching and 2 hours planting and 4 hours watering because i was late and maybe another 6 hours of etc and  then the time to harvest it and sell it. It is organic so its worth more but 800.00 will be a wholesale price.

I should get at least 80 dozen of sweet corn to sell at 2.00 a dozen = 160.00 and 200 lbs of long string bush beans at 50c a lb and 800lbs of red potato's at 50c a lb = 400.00 plus squash, peppers,  tomato's,  melons, carrots etc = 100.00 so add 160.00 + 100.00 + 400.00 + 100.00 = 760.00 at a low count

But the stores here sell sweet corn for 50c each which is 6.00 a dozen organic and bush beans at 1.00 a lb or more organic and red potato's at 1.00 a lb organic so if i do the stand thing i could make lots more and this was a spur of the moment garden. next yr i will be better prepared.

Also come august i will start winter crops of cauliflower and brocoli and chard to bring in more.

Besides that the sorgum growing around the edges will atract wild birds like turkeys and pheasents for hunting or trapping for meat. Not counting the deer we have. Its a shame i see so many laying off the roads after being hit by trucks. I could probably harvest 1 a day off my main road here within 10 miles each way.

I believe that buying a trailer park (gated) and managing it in a trans or LGBT friendly way would probably be ideal in pseudo metropolitan areas like Northern/ Central California. Probably on suburban outskirts... Just tossing in an idea. If they are maintained they can be very nice, potentially temporary, housing.

I can see where having some sort of group owned house or compound for transitioners. It would be tough because of the diversity of everyones background and I learned quick that just becasue someone else is trans, doesnt make them nice, a good person, smart, kind or anything else.  It would be a tough thing to put together, especially if it was self supporting.

some 30 miles or so north of me is a place that might have once been a church camp or something....it has several...not cabins exactly but you could think of them as such...a community hall, and a pound with a fountain in the middle.  I used to think if I ever came into money it would be a nice place to buy for retreats and conferences and so forth, but it would surely work for the sort of thing you are thinking of...but i don't really know what the options would be for self-sustaining the place.

I do know it has gone mostly or entirely unused for a decade or more so no idea how the upkeep has been.

but it looks nice from the outside.

Well first things first we woulld need people who have incomes like retirement or disabilities or SSI because we have to start with how much we have together to be able to pay a monthly mortgage. So if you do not have an income you would have to work for the others with an income to be able to pay your way.

I am buying at 500.00 a month for 10 yrs for an old house and 6 acres

Because i am helping my mother i get more to be able to do improvements.

So first things first. What can you afford to invest in a monthly mortgage and is your credit shot or what?

Thats what this discussion needs is figures to put together a way. Otherwise we are all dreaming. Oh i am not dreaming i am doing right now. What can you do?

I want to help but have no saveings or credit, I can bring sevral friends from construction background to help remodel or build and mantain any site that can be found. If this turns to a reality I want in.

http://www.cohousing.org/

Thought I would post this link for a a movement that seems to be a good solution for some people.  Many people without our problems have a similar feeling of detachment from general society.  Co-housing is the building of deliberate, intentional societies.  It is really difficult and time consuming to get one going.  We have been raised to believe that "going it alone" living in 2400 sq feet of air conditioned, sound proofed, smith and wesson protected isolation is the American dream.  The problem is in, to quote George W. Bush, "the vision thing."  How do you get a number of people to the same vision, or get at least to some amalgam of ideas that has enough for everyone involved?  That is a hard thing to do.  Like you CarlieElizabeth, I am in construction.  Was at one time a super, and the idea was for you to understand the goal and what was needed.  THEN the hard part was getting everyone else to go along.  It's hard even when you're paying THEM!  Most co-housing texts on start ups talk about how to get input, get peoples wants, dreams, etc. then incorporate them.

bump.... maybe a farm for elderly trans who like to garden hint hint


PS

just curious about what state you are in?  I'm in Fl. and currently have health care.  Construction isn't doing so well and may have to look for alternatives in health care, and the Governor here made a fortune bilking medicare, now bilking the residents of the state  I may have to move back to Mass. I would like to point out that the communitarian ideal in health care has really taken off in both rich and middle class communities.  Often called "villages" residents pay a yearly fee to get access to personalized care above and beyond what medicare provides.  AARP has had a number of articles on the movement.  I mean renting a voice coach.  It has to be cheaper to have 2 or 3 people applying for the same service and negotiating price from a position of strength.  Costs can be lowered.  Maybe even more important is that security increases in proportion to numbers.  Easier to single out one defenseless person from the herd, but if the herd reacts in unison-strength.
What is your area like, what does it offer.  I believe that there is a market for a safe environment for older trans people.  However, it really needs to be fleshed out more than a farm for elderly trans!  I have seen some proposals by conservatives for such a place for all gay/trans people, but it would be surrounded by a nice security fence with barbed wire.

My place right now is more situated for very passable trans who can get along with amish and mennonites (by not being out) but if others here wanted to buy in another location i might be open to selling and buying something with more acres in an area that wouldn't mind all kinds of trans as in those who are unpassable.. 

also i am seeking people who are not into traditional medicine but are into eating right and staying healthy and working hard until they die... it really makes a difference in what medical care people need..

oh i am in central pa in the montain area with farms in the valleys.. all country stuff here with no fast foods etc etc etc  we don't even have street lights or red lights

also i won't go south or west due to climate changes coming

This is why it is so difficult to get a group together, different requirements.  I like traditional medicine, when needed.  I really like having insurance too.  Some states are better than others in getting and maintaining it.  I really need to be near enough to a major metropolitan area for culture.  My income will come from some type of retirement finance work.  Amish are pretty self contained.  Lived in Sarasota, Fl for a while around mennonites.  Pretty similar.  There is a Dick Butts here in Tampa who has a radio program on WMNF.  He is into sustainable living, has a farm, his wife is the extension agent for Hillsboro Co.,  and has tried to get something similar (not for trans types) going.  Seems like a bit of a hard push.  Screws up the manicure.  People just don't want to work that hard.  You might want to try the MNF web site to check him out, just to see if he has any ideas.