Ask yourself a question: how well do you know your neighbour? Many of us will know our neighbours and will be on speaking terms. Most of us will give courteous nods or friendly hello’s at least. Some of us may recognise our neighbours but may not be at that stage of general chit-chat or simple greetings. That’s fine, nothing wrong with that. As the saying goes: “each to their own.” However, did you know that there are some communities in the world who shut themselves out from the rest of the world? Or that some communities have strange, persistent rumours circling them? While others like to spy on what their neighbours are doing? Well, thanks to this list, you’re about to learn of some the strangest communities in the world.
1. Alphaville: São Paulo, Brazil
Image source - Sky Scraper Life
In the world’s fourth-largest metropolis is based this dystopic community. Strange behaviour is abundant in Alphaville, thanks largely to some of the nation’s wealthiest residents neighbouring some of the poorest. For this reason security measures are taken very seriously, perhaps a little too seriously. Hundreds of the rich residents prefer to helicopter in and out of the area, over 1,000 security guards patrol the perimeter, and some residents have installed 24-hour surveillance cameras around the premises and are able to watch “TV Alphaville” in their own homes. Basically that means they can spy on their neighbours!
Gated community of Alphaville, Sao Paulo (Brazil) image credits:
2. Wedderburn, “Midgetville”: Vienna, Virginia
Image source - Tomorrow Museum
It is unclear whether “Midgetville” was just a rumour or whether it really was a community of midgets living in liitle cottages in the woods.
flickr.com/photos/8503162@N02/514745109
Some people who happened to drive past the area have claimed that their vehicle was attacked by violent midgets.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/8503162@N02/514775976/in/set-72157600270358668/
Other rumours claimed that the area was inhabited by retired circus performers.
flickr.com/photos/8503162@N02/514757761/in/set-72157600270358668/
Whatever the case it always left people wondering, whether they happened to drive past or pass the woods in the train, who really did live in those tiny cottages?
3. Auroville: Tamil Nadu, India
Auroville (otherwise known as City of Dawn) is an experimental town with a very hippy vibe. It was founded in 1968 by Mirra Richard and designed by the architect Roger Anger. 
Ironic that the architect’s name was Anger because in Auroville you will find anything but this emotion. Peach, love and harmony are strongly promoted.
The purpose of Auroville is to have all men and women of the world, of every race and religion, to live together in perfect tranquility. Religion is actually banned here, so too is conventional currency. Residents purchase items using electronic cards. The giant golf-ball shaped golden globe in the picture is Matrimandir (Temple of the Mother). It is the soul of the city where residents gather to be…peaceful probably.
4. San Zhi, “Desolation Row”: Taipei, Taiwan
Image source - Henry Eats People
This pod city in Taiwan may look like the future but construction has not been completed and the buildings are now left abandoned. Construction was halted after several fatal accidents occurred.
The UFO Pod Village in Sanzhi, Taipei County, Taiwan – Part 1 from andre on Vimeo.
The builders, designers and hopeful home owners decided to leave the futuristic fairytale behind over fears of recurring accidents. Nearby neighbours claim that the pods are actually haunted now after strange disturbances. Logically they are probably populated by squatters.
5. Amish: Ohio, Pennsylvania and Indiana, USA
Image source - Telegraph
Renowned for their simple living, plain dress code and a reluctance to accept modernity, the Amish are a devout Christian following.
The faith was founded by Jakob Ammann and his followers became known as the Amish. People are baptised between 16 and 25, and as soon as they have been baptised they are allowed to marry within the faith. The main language is English but there a German dialect that is also spoken, which is known as Pennsylvania German. This, for some bizarre reason, can also be referred to as Pennsylvania Dutch, even though it isn’t Ducth…
6. Celebration: Florida, USA
Image source - Wikipedia
Every child’s dream and every parents nightmare: living next door to an amusement park. Not just any old amusement park mind. Celebration’s community in Florida have the World Disney Resort next door. Disney specifically built this town in the late 1990s and since then 2,736 people have moved into the 952 households. 93% of Celebration’s population is made up of white middle-class Americans.
The main road leads right into the Magic Kingdom. Sounds ideal for a magical Sunday stroll.
7. Inuit communities: Alaska, Greenland
Image source - Wikipedia
The thought of living in temepratures of minus 20 degrees in houses made from blocks of ice may seem weird to us, but for the inuit communities of the world have a very strong history that dates back to 1000 AD. Descendants of what anthropologists called the Thule culture, the Eskimo people settled in Greenland by 1300.
Despite their long history Inuits only survive, on average, to 42. Not really surprising when you consider their sub-zero living conditions and a diet that consists of fish (that’s high in fatty acids), whales, walrus, caribou, seal, polar bears, muskoxen, birds, and even the Arctic fox. Hunters they may be but survivalists they are not.
8. Roma/Gypsies
Image source - BS.Kaist
Gypsy communities can be found all over the world and although they are one of most close-knit communities as well with moral values they are often looked down upon in society. Gypsies, like Inuits, have a very long history. Theirs dates back to the 13th Century. The word gypsy derives from Egyptians because they were thought to be the earliest known gypsies to arrive in Europe. Gypsies are renowned for living nomadic lifestyles, often in caravans.
When the Road Bends: Tales of a Gypsy Caravan from Jasmine Dellal, Little Dust on Vimeo.
There are many traditions to a gypsy community but one of the oddest, which is still practiced in some parts of the world today, is if a man successfully kidnaps a woman and keeps her by his side for three days then she can officially be declared his wife!
