TierraLuz

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TierraLuz

Located in Sayulita, Nayarit, Mexico

Mission Statement
We are committed to living closer to the natural world…in harmony with nature and more lightly on the earth using sustainable technologies.

Community Description
We are committed to living closer to the natural world…in harmony with nature and more lightly on the earth using sustainable technologies.
SUN: solar power, solar hot water, solar clothes dryers
WIND: wind power, enhanced natural ventilation
EARTH: Natural building techniques, organic gardening, permaculture
WATER: Natural well water, gray water recycling, harvesting rainwater
AND…more to enjoy:
Ocean Views, Jungle Views, Pastoral Views
Regularized Titled lots and,Titled community land
Solar powered off grid well and 20,000 Liters community water storage
Common Land: shared open space (almost 9,000 m2!) including organic farmland, food forest, jungle trails, meditation vistas
Beautiful wooden 15m2 yoga deck on the highest ground and best view for all to enjoy.
Superadobe Community Storage/Bodega 12m2

We are an Eco-focused off-grid neighborhood set up co-housing style with private ownership of lots and common land co-owned via a Mexican Civil Association of which we are all members. We have beautiful land in Sayulita, Mexico, a fun, lively, small town north of Puerto Vallarta. We have a good well, solar system for pumping the water, water distributed to the lots, community water storage, roads ,trails, food forests, great sun for solar and already have 14 adults and 5 kids involved…It’s happening! We have 6 lots left out of a total of 17. Seven houses have been built, 5 half of them with earthen building techniques such as Cob or Superadobe/Earthbag and local wood fired brick. The weather is fabulous, the skies are clear and blue most all year and there is great surf and swimming at the beach in Sayulita, a 20 minute walk or 5 min drive away.

VISION: A community of neighbors where there is a shared interest and commitment to using less resources, producing less waste, producing our own renewable energy, and enjoying a more tranquil and sustainable life that enhances health and well being. We share land/open space that holds possibilities for growing food, gathering with friends, walking, sitting or practicing yoga in nature at a beautiful meditation vista. Our homes are modest sized, ideally built with natural materials such as compressed earth blocks, cobb, adobe, bamboo, etc, that are easier on the environment than more processed materials such as cement. We each have incorporated sustainable technologies such as photovoltaics, wind power, solar hot water heating, low impact development, grey water recycling, rainwater harvesting, composting toilets, etc. Living this way, perhaps we may be closer to the suggestion by Mahatma Gandhi to, “Be the change you wish to see in the world”.

*The more shades of green the better!
**Inspired by some of the Mexican culture of tolerance, we invite this quality to be central to giving respectful space to one’s neighbors differences.
*We have a community sacred space on the top of the land…a place for reverence of nature and meditation, yoga, etc.
*Private International Green School and Public school nearby

Housing
Status: We have land we have developed on
Area: 4.2 acres
Current Residence Types: Single-family homes, Natural built structues, Lots to build on
Current Number of Residences: 7
Planned number of residences: 17
Planned Residence Types: Single-family homes, Tiny house, Yurt, tee-pee, dome, treehouse, or tent, Natural built structues, Lots to build on
Housing Provided: Purchase, Rental
Land owned by: Individual community member(s)
Additional Comments:
Individual community members own their own lots and have a share in the common land that is owned by a Mexican Civil Association/non-profit.
There is a large community deck for events and large lawn area with shade for events and games, etc. We have a community storage building but no building that is enclosed for use or living space.

Membership
Adult Members: 14
Child Members: 7
Percent Women: 51-60%
Percent Men: 41-49%
Percent Transgender: 0%
Visitors accepted: Yes
Visitor Process:
Please contact us to see when the next tour is happening. Send us an email at tierraluzsayulita@gmail.com. We sometimes have Saturday morning tours. You can check our website about that and get confirmation before you visit. If you might be interested in joining/purchasing a lot or a house, please let us know that.
Open to new Members: Yes
Membership Process:
Visit in person, meet with members of the community that are available, share your ideas for eco-living, agree with our vision and Alliances (you can request a copy of these by email) … buy a lot and build a house!

Economics
Dues, Fees, or Shared Expenses: Yes
Shared Income: None
Required Labor Contribution per Week: 0.5
Open to members with existing debt: Yes
Additional Comments:
We have annual dues to pay for labor to help with maintenance and administration needs. This fee also includes unlimited water use. We likely will start charging for water use in the future.

Sustainability Practices
Energy Infrastructure: We are totally off grid.
Current renewable energy generation: Almost All, around 90%
Energy sources: Solar
Planned renewable energy generation: Almost All, around 90%
Current food produced: Up to 25%
Planned food produced: Up to 25%
Food produced locally: Between 26-49%

Lifestyle
Common Facilities: Garden(s), Outbuilding(s), Fire pit, Swingsets & play areas, Internet
Internet Available: Yes, both the community and individuals provide it
Internet Fast?: Yes, it’s fine.
Cell Phone Service: Good for most people.
Shared meals: Rarely
Dietary Practice: Omnivorous (plants and animals), Paleo (no grains, dairy, processed foods, or legumes), Local (food sourced within 150 miles), Organic (no pesticides or synthetic fertilizers), GMO Free (only non-genetically modified organisms)
Dietary Choice or Restrictions: No – people may eat however they wish.
Alcohol Use: Yes, used occasionally.
Tobacco Use: Yes, used seldomly, or ceremoniously.
Additional Diet Comments:
Community meals happen around gatherings, holidays, or when some neighbors feel inspired. No expectations here. Just neighbors and if you want to create some meals together at each others homes, great!
Common Spiritual Practice(s): Ecumenical (accepts all religions or spiritual practices), Eclectic (integrates multiple religious or spiritual beliefs), Not a particularly spiritual or religious community, Christian, Buddhist, Hindu, Paganism or Earth Religions
Education Style(s): Home Schooling, Private School off the property, Public Schooling, Up to each family or individual
Healthcare Options: Up to each family or individual

Source: https://www.ic.org/directory/tierraluz/
             http://www.tierraluz.org