Sawadee Palehorse!
Good questions...
Where starting this project?
Basically, I am first of all looking for countries where it is possible to start this project.
So far, Ireland and Costa Rica came up. But I know there are others too. I have some requirements
that are particular (personal and financial) to my own situation.
Then, when a country is "suitable", then physical places have to be located/found. I once found such
a place in Ireland (this one:
https://www.boghill.com/) but I got "gazumped" after I already had paid
a deposit. If you have a look at the place, you will understand why I felt it was appropriate and ideal.
Sadly, my experiences in Ireland (spread over 3 years and dozens of properties) have taught me that almost
in every single case, the OWNERS were "rogue", which seems to go against the nature of the Irish. I also
met Irish people, just without any property-related intentions, and these were just great. I was pretty
fortunate to have a good solicitor and surveyor (or it would have cost me dearly; now these did not come
for free either, they charged a lot but at least were honest and did a very good job).I have all but "dropped
completely" Ireland as a possibility. Also their Covid-rules, the travel hindrances... have to be taken in
consideration.
Costa Rica is still "an option", but there also are difficulties (traveling to any place there would take
at least 15 hours one way from Europe). And their Covid-rules also just "got stricter".
In planning, it is a "heck of a job" to even try to figure out what may happen in any country
(Covid-related and other), when thinking of starting a project there.
But I am not someone who gives up that easily.
My search continues.
Will it be an Avalon project?
Well, probably not, as this has been tried before (in Ecuador) and there are many reasons why this would be
hard to do. Maybe not impossible though. But for me, Ecuador is "not possible", as are all/most South-American
countries.
There are other reasons. Most Avalonians are just not in a position to leave families, jobs or country. Or
have very little funds to do so. Not that thàt would be a main reason, but it certainly plays. That's why
I think most are looking for possibilities in their own neighbourhoods. Which is understandable.
Maybe also read a thread I started in August 2019, way before the Covid-craze.
("Gatherings for Avalonians" in the Off-Topic section, started on August 13th 2019)
I had thought that there would be a lot more interest (because it was so affordable) from fellow European Avalonians.
Wondering why, one reason may well be that most on this forum value "being incognito" so much.
Again, very understandble, even more so today.
Now, I DO think that the project, if and when it materializes, would be in the first place be along the lines of
what PA-ers would want. But it should be "larger/wider" I think; the PA community is "for everybody" but not every
body feels "at home" here though; it takes unusual people to know what PA is about. But you know all that.
That's why anyone reading this is invited to PM me so that (s)he can be informed, if they wish to be.
I realize all to well that while the "need" is much higher now than it was 2 or 3 years ago, it is also a lot
harder to manifest it. But one does what one can, we all have our Purposes as well as talents, and hopefully all
of us do what we can, where we can.
Yes, being "a bit" paranoid is quite normal. I know what you mean with the skype and zoom remarks, but then it remains,
how to communicate "safely" amongst the ones that are interested? We can't do everything by PM's on PA, emails (which ones?), maybe Telegram (but is that even 100% "safe?). Good solutions are always welcome!
Yet, this thread is a good one to "brainstorm" further. Everyone can join! And we will see where it can lead to.