The Place
We share enough to be transparent, while avoiding over-exposure. A place remains safer when it is not turned into a spectacle.
Why these four countries
We have narrowed our search to Spain, Thailand, Costa Rica, and Colombia. The main rationale is LGBTQ rights and marriage equality: we want to build in a jurisdiction where same-sex couples can marry and where LGBTQ people are legally protected and socially accepted. The project is open to everyone and especially welcoming to LGBTQ people; the choice of country reflects that commitment.
Below we outline pros and cons for each option. The final decision is still to be made—we are evaluating climate, cost, residency, language, and day-to-day reality as we go.
Spain
Pros: Full marriage equality since 2005; strong legal protection for LGBTQ people; EU stability, rule of law, and healthcare; multiple climates (from Mediterranean to Atlantic); Schengen and EU residency options for eligible members.
Cons: Higher cost of land and living than the other three; more regulation and bureaucracy; not tropical in most regions—different building and growing conditions; less widespread “off-grid” or low-impact building culture.
Thailand
Pros: Generally tolerant society and marriage equality legislation advancing; lower cost of living and land in many areas; tropical climate suited to bio-construction and food forests; established expat and LGBTQ-friendly hubs; relative stability in the region.
Cons: Long-term residency and visas can be complex; legal recognition and implementation still catching up in practice; humidity and monsoon shape building and maintenance; far from the Americas and Europe for some members and visitors.
Costa Rica
Pros: Marriage equality since 2020; strong environmental culture and biodiversity; tradition of peace and stability; relatively safe in the regional context; Spanish-speaking; tropical climate and land stewardship culture.
Cons: Cost of living and land have risen sharply in popular areas; small country with limited availability of suitable land; tropical challenges—humidity, storms, insects—require constant attention.
Colombia
Pros: Marriage equality since 2016; diverse geography and climates (tropical to temperate); lower cost in many regions; Spanish-speaking; growing LGBTQ visibility and acceptance in cities and many rural areas.
Cons: Security and rule of law vary by region—due diligence on location is essential; land tenure and bureaucracy can be complex; some rural areas remain conservative; infrastructure and access differ widely.
What we look for in any location
- Climate and seasons we can work with—heat, rain, storms—and plan construction and life around.
- Access and remoteness: we accept distance and contingency planning; medical access and emergency plans matter.
- Local context: respect for neighbors, culture, and language; we do not build a bubble detached from the surrounding society.
- What we protect: water, soil, biodiversity, and long-term stewardship over short-term extraction.