where do nuns live

Nuns primarily live in convents or monasteries, where they live a cloistered or semi-cloistered life focused on prayer and contemplation. These places are often enclosed, meaning nuns spend most of their time inside, leaving rarely except for serious reasons. The convent or monastery is typically self- sufficient, supporting a community devoted to prayer, meditation, and religious service. Examples of orders that live this cloistered life include Carmelite nuns, Poor Clares, Dominican nuns, and others. In contrast, some religious sisters live more actively in the world and may reside in convents, small group houses, or even alone but remain connected to their community through prayer and accountability. Thus, nuns live mainly in religious houses dedicated to communal prayer and spiritual life, distinct from sisters who might live and work more broadly in society.