The popularity of green initiatives exploded from the fringe efforts of crunchy hippies to the mega-million marketing strategies of multinational companies. Local is yet another buzzword that has gained traction in recent years; however, making a concerted effort to live a local life creates a sound green standard while having the added benefit of connecting us to the communities where we live. Entrenching ourselves within a few square miles used to be the common standard of living before innovations in transportation and the advancement in the country’s freeways made it easy to spread ourselves thin.
The Best Local Living Tips
When we return to our neighborhoods and opt to live a local life we develop more confidence in the space we inhabit, the choices we make, and the things we buy. We are not subject to the whims of a national marketing fashions but rather depend on the efforts and tastes of our community to inform our responsible shopping choices.
“Local living” means embracing a lifestyle rooted in your local community, culture, and environment. It focuses on sustainability, connection, and mindful consumption. Here’s how to do it, step by step:
Live close to work, and everything else.
Aim to live close to your place of employment. If walking distance isn’t an available option, at least try for biking distance. Cutting down the commute not only cuts down on carbon footprints, it also invests us in the communities where we work. In the now standard city/suburb model, workers swell into urban areas during the work day and then commute half an hour to an hour to get home ostensibly straddling between the two polluting the air and alienating ourselves from our neighborhoods along the way.
Finding work closer to home or moving closer to work allows workers to become invested residents. When your co-workers are also your neighbors there is stronger common ground to make great choices for our communities.
- Walk or Bike: Explore your neighborhood on foot or wheels.
- Public Transit: Use buses and trains when possible.
- Carpooling: Share rides to work, school, or events.
Spend money locally.
Flexing your dollars locally means putting a dent in the shipping industry. Knowing local shop owners means we directly influence their buying decisions and encourage them to purchase products that don’t need to be trekked across country in semis spewing exhaust. Supporting local farms and CSAs is are a great way to keep connected to your food and see where it really comes from. Likewise we keep our money in our community and generate local revenue by supporting business from the neighborhood. So buy local:
- Farmers Markets: Shop at local markets for fresh produce, honey, eggs, and handmade goods.
- Local Shops: Support independent stores and artisans instead of big-box retailers.
- Seasonal Eating: Focus your meals around what’s growing near you right now.
Build the power of our communities.
When we know each other we are better able to provide support to each other. This includes pooling resources and influence to get more energy efficiency in our area and find better rates on utilities with the help of SaveOnEnergy.com and other energy resources. Likewise we are able to encourage less waste, more recycling, and neighborhood improvements by simply communicating more with our neighbors.
Utilizing neighborhood gardens allows us to crop share on an intimate level and reduce our reliance on imported foods. Park beautification efforts keep our neighborhoods livable and beautiful. Neighborhoods are also able innovate and invest collectively in solar energy or wind power initiatives that are eco-positive and also bring income to the community.
- Get Involved: Join local groups, clubs, or volunteer organizations.
- Attend Events: Go to festivals, craft fairs, and town hall meetings.
- Support Local Causes: Participate in school fundraisers or neighborhood cleanups.
Use Local Resources
Using local resources is a key part of living more sustainably and building a stronger connection with your community. Libraries offer much more than books—they often provide free classes, local history archives, internet access, and family-friendly programs. Community centers are great for low-cost fitness classes, childcare options, and hobby groups that bring neighbors together. Many towns also have tool libraries, where you can borrow tools for home projects, or repair cafés, where volunteers help fix broken items instead of tossing them out. These shared resources reduce waste, save money, and help foster a culture of cooperation and support close to home.
- Libraries: Free books, workshops, and local info.
- Community Centers: Low-cost classes, childcare, and fitness options.
- Tool Libraries/Repair Cafés: Borrow tools and learn to fix things instead of buying new.
Live More Sustainably
Living more sustainably means making choices that reduce your impact on the environment while creating a healthier, more balanced lifestyle. A sustainable lifestyle is about using resources wisely, minimizing waste, and being mindful of how your daily habits affect the planet and your community. Sustainability doesn’t require perfection—small, consistent actions like conserving energy, reducing single-use plastics, and supporting eco-friendly practices can add up to meaningful change. By choosing to live more sustainably, you’re not only caring for the Earth but also creating a simpler, more intentional way of life.
- Grow a Garden: Even a small container garden counts.
- Compost: Reduce waste and enrich soil.
- Eco-Swap: Trade items with neighbors or join a Buy Nothing group.
Conclusion
Embracing local living is about more than just convenience—it’s a meaningful shift toward connection, sustainability, and resilience. By supporting nearby businesses, using community resources, and building relationships close to home, you create a lifestyle rooted in care for both people and the planet. Whether it’s shopping at the farmers market, attending a neighborhood event, or learning from local traditions, each step brings you closer to a stronger, more grounded way of living. Local living isn’t just a choice—it’s a way to thrive where you are.
Ultimately living locally creates a whole and focused existence that reduces reliance on shipping and investing in faceless corporations. By living locally we maintain control and wisdom about our environment, our neighborhoods, and the products we buy. Creating a local life might be simple and old-fashioned, but it is also an elegant way to jump on the green bandwagon without getting run over by mixed messages.
What do you do to live locally?
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Hannah says
I buy local! While studying at University I helped implement a weekly farmers market on campus. Professionals would come enjoy lunch, students would volunteer and local farmers/businesses would profit!