yes, i started off perhaps wanting to join an ecovillage, but that is a little too close of community (live in as you say) for my liking. we, too, live in the ozarks and have found neighbors 15 min away that we really like is super ideal. many people live 30-60 min away, but they too are our neighbors and we need them in our lives. so glad steemit is fulfilling that niche for you. it's invigorating me, too :)