The Economics of Intentional Living: Why It’s Not Just for the Wealthy

In Ireland, a new co-housing project for over-55s aims to tackle the exact problem that many face as they age: owning homes too large for their needs but having few appealing options for downsizing. Co-housing Communities Ireland (CCI) is working to create a 20-home, self-contained community in Dublin 6, designed for independent yet socially engaged living. It’s a model that not only benefits residents but could also free up much-needed housing stock for younger families.

So why isn’t this the norm? And how does co-housing — or intentional living more broadly — offer a better economic and social alternative to traditional homeownership?

Breaking the Myth: Intentional Living Isn’t Just for the Rich

One of the biggest misconceptions about co-housing, communal living, or cooperative homeownership is that it’s either a niche lifestyle choice or something that requires a high upfront investment. In reality, intentional living models are built to reduce individual financial burdens while increasing collective wealth.

Consider some of the key economic advantages:

Lower Living Costs: Shared expenses for utilities, maintenance, and amenities dramatically reduce the cost of living. Residents of Cannock Mill, a successful UK-based co-housing community, note that they save significantly on bills due to communal heating, food-sharing initiatives, and co-managed spaces.

More Efficient Use of Housing Stock: Like the Irish co-housing project, Poly Heights aims to optimize housing use. Many people live in homes that no longer serve them — whether they’re too big, too expensive to maintain, or isolating. Intentional communities solve this issue by right-sizing living spaces while still providing private autonomy.

Shared Investment, Shared Wealth: Rather than funnelling money into individual mortgages (or rental payments that never build equity), cooperative homeownership means that investments go into the community itself, creating long-term financial security for residents.

Reducing Economic Vulnerability: Whether you’re a freelancer, a single parent, or someone nearing retirement, communal living provides a financial safety net through shared resources and mutual support.

Aging, Downsizing, and Housing Equity: Learning from Ireland

The Irish co-housing project highlights a major issue: as people age, traditional housing markets don’t serve them well. Many over-55s live in homes that are too large, too expensive to maintain, or environmentally inefficient. But moving into standard retirement housing often isn’t appealing — people want to remain independent, but in a setting that still fosters connection.

By creating a self-managed, energy-efficient housing community with shared spaces like a communal dining area, gym, and gardens, CCI is offering a model that should be far more common — not just for retirees but for people at all stages of life.

Poly Heights is driven by the same idea: that housing should be built around people’s real needs rather than the outdated one-size-fits-all model. Instead of isolated apartments or expensive mortgages, we’re developing a co-living community that prioritizes sustainability, affordability, and connection.

The Future of Housing is Intentional

For too long, we’ve been conditioned to think that homeownership means owning alone — but the future is about owning together. From Dublin to London to our own project with Poly Heights, intentional communities are proving that cooperative models can solve housing crises, fight economic instability, and build real, lasting connections between people.

Share your thoughts, ask questions, and connect with others who are reimagining the future of housing. Follow Poly Heights’ journey on the website, or facebook, (And now, Instagram) join discussions, and help spread the word about the potential of intentional living.

If you believe in a future where housing is affordable, inclusive, and community-driven, we’d love for you to join us. Together, we can make intentional living the norm — not the exception.

For many, the idea of communal/intentional living feels like a luxury — something reserved for the wealthy or the ultra-progressive. But in reality, intentional living is an economic necessity for many and a sustainable alternative to the traditional housing model that often fails to meet people’s real needs. Across the world, co-housing initiatives are proving that shared living spaces can provide financial security, social connection, and long-term sustainability.