Thanks.
I probably fall into the category of lifestyle anarchist then because in some ways I have deliberately chosen to reject much, and remove myself from, mainstream society.
I agree with you that such a lifestyle will almost certainly never have mass appeal, though for me that's not really the point. I do see it as a form of rebellion, but not one which really has any importance or significance to anyone but myself. It's certainly not revolutionary!
The direct action you're interested in is the important stuff. The building of class confidence and class consciousness, the provision of examples of alternative ways of thinking and of doing things, the fights and campaigns for better working and living conditions; all these things and more are things that anarchist organisations (formal and/or informal) can help with.
I do think though, that as others have said above, location is a huge factor. I've spent very little time in Scotland (I did visit for the G8 in 2005) and have never been to Glasgow (though I'm keen to sometime). Nevertheless, I do have a sense that there is far more class solidarity and general left-wing sentiment where you are than in my home town in the South East of England.
One of the first books I ever read about anarchism was Stuart Christie's, 'Granny made me...', and that had a big impact on me. I'm aware of the history and tradition of left-wing politics in Glasgow, and I am full of respect and admiration for activists such as yourself. That video I saw on here a while back of the people in Kenmure Street forcing the Border Control people to release those two men, that really warmed my heart. But at the same time I was thinking, "that might be able to happen in Glasgow but it'd never happen in Kent."
Perhaps if there had been more class consciousness and class solidarity in the community I was brought up in, I might have been less inclined to want to 'escape' society and find an alternative ("lifestyle anarchist", if you like) community to become a part of.
And I suppose really that that's as good an argument as any for trying to set something up or get something going in the places where there isn't much or any anarchist presence.