The unit house is a single-family dwelling on a quiet street on the edge of La Jara. The house has five bedrooms, two bathrooms, two living rooms and a generous yard with a garden and recreation area. The unit averages four to six MVSers, including singles and at times a couple. This relates in part to a traditional rural lifestyle with an emphasis on gardening, hunting, cutting firewood and trading or sharing resources, and is also indicative of a poor economy overall, with people making do with less. The MVS lifestyle and values are very compatible in these respects.
Clothing also tends to be informal.
Shorts, slacks, T-shirts and skirts are comfortable during the late spring through early fall. Winter weather usually calls for layers of sweaters, jackets and boots. Winter evenings can often dip below 0 degrees F., so sturdy coats, boots and shoes are necessary. There are not many organized recreational activities in La Jara. However, there are many informal opportunities for hiking, camping, cross-country skiing and other activities in the nearby mountains.