Here's a nice one, about 360 ha (appr 180 ac). Prices out at $625,588 US + GST. Kinda pricey as works out to abt $3475 US/ac. Still, lots of development potential. Found a couple of VERY large parcels,well developed, and ongoing agricultural operations. Not sure we want to go there. Thoughts?

http://www.nzfarms.co.nz/2496182

Here's a few more:
http://www.nzfarms.co.nz/2512714

http://www.nzfarms.co.nz/2634549

http://www.nzfarms.co.nz/2624545: I guess 'tender' means 'make an offer'.

Ok, here's one that's off the beaten track:
Chatham Island
http://www.nzfarms.co.nz/2571452
Their description:
"Approximately 1600 hectares improved pasture, well fenced and organically farmed, running over 10,000 sheep, plus a further 1600 hectares in native fern, just crying out for development.
Above average infrastructure with two Lockwood houses, raised board shearing shed and shearers quarters.
Approximately 23km boundary to sea coast, with great fishing and diving."

The website for the property:
http://waitangiwest-station.co.nz/Abo...

Thanks for the info. Going there now.

There are lots of rural (grazing)properties for sale in NZ at 300 acres up and some with harbor or sea frontage. No idea on whether rezoning would be feasible though.
http://www.nzfarms.co.nz has a lot of listings.

Here's something I came across in my meanderings:

http://www.landwatch.com/Jequetepeque...

P'cat, what do you think? A bit pricey but the development potential looks pretty good.

I lived in NZ for several years and at that time (2011-2013) small businesses were welcomed if they were reasonably funded. NZ fairly does not want to invite people likely to become dependent. I can't speak to the current VISA requirements, but business taxes are much lower in NZ than in USA. GST is higher, but I prefer tax on consumption over tax on production and only the final consumer pays GST; businesses get immediate reimbursement. NZ also has the advantage of their citizens being welcomed in Australia, and that is a very attractive market for NZ business.
Panama's stability is much better than Fiji, there are tax advantages there, and residency requirements are low. I considered moving to Panama seriously about 7 years ago and decided not to do so at that time, but if there had been a Gulch community possible my decision would have been different, I think.
Panama also has very significant advantages in transportation, first world internet capabilities and infrastructure, and a low cost work force for construction of Atlantis. I'm not saying it's ideal, but I'd take it over Fiji. We really need to define the parameters for comparison though, or there will be little progress in finding a site for Atlantis.

NZ has a problem with immigrants. If you are Aussie, no probs, mate. If you are anything else, better come with a buttload of money, adequate pension, or a listed skill set. They don't want anyone who might wind up on their national medicine rolls needing care.
Panama has a problem, as most Central and South American countries, with sudden and violent governmental change. Getting caught in the crossfire is not my idea of fun. True, some are more stable than others but the propensity to nationalize anything of value happens all too often. Having lived most of my life close to the southern border, I tend to pay a lot of attention to stuff like that.

Was thinking that locales with some nearby infrastructure would be better investments than Fiji, johnrobert. Last year I think you also found a couple in Panama and NZ that were more promising than anything that Fiji offers. (just imo)

Great stuff. I can probably duplicate you in the woodworking/carpentry/lumberjacking area. All my stuff is handpowered.

Excellent question. Several options existed a year ago. I really haven't found too much in recent searches. The Fiji property I found last year seemed to meet all the criteria, except maybe for size (and that was close) and probably the sovereignty issue, although the property was a freehold.

Hi All,
This is great work and the selections are wonderful examples of whats out there, literally thousands to pick from. Like going to the moon the mission is fraught with challenges and dangers but with focus and determination all the physical needs can easily be satisfied.

The elephant in the room is MONEY. " If wishes were horses beggars would ride" Every objection raised, utilities , defense , transportation on and on is easy if you have $$$$$.
How to raise funds , big $ is the trick we need to address to move this from window shopping to action. The only thing I have come up with is some kind of crowd sourcing method , ????

Ideas ???

Thanks for the dose of reality, Phcat. Dreams must meet reality at the origin.
What are the most important criteria to use in finding the site, in your opinion?
Is this a pertinent question:
What size is the minimum in acres, if it is not an island, but has capability of sea shipping?

At a cost of $2,500 to $5,000 per KWe, and 5kw/home (more for businesses) your 20,000 homes result in a capital cost of $250 to $500 million.
(This is from a neophyte, not an expert in power generation, using internet sources.)

It also becomes a very tempting target for enemies.

May consider which people are emigrating/ immigrating across the world, and their destinations. It may open up other possibilities.
http://www.iom.int/world-migration

Most of us are older, with the concomitant health problems, limited income (pensioners) and with ties to family here. Going to a place where those ties are virtually cut off is bordering on impossible to most. A saving grace to all of this is, because most of us are older, we are more aware of the work ethic, and have the skill sets needed, to raise up a community from almost bare ground. There are some young whippersnappers out there who recognize the challenge and can measure up. But not enough, I'm thinking. Yes, financial resources are sparse and suitable locales are few and expensive. Perseverance is our best weapon. For now. We might even get lucky and someone win the lottery or we find a willing MM to provide the seed to finally get this into action.

Clearly the government will resist. That is the first problem. The people are a different story. Either carve out a small gulch, or institute an oligarchy. Either way it would be much more stable after "transition".

Are their really so few of us, with so little resource?

Here is another link to a discussion along these same lines about a year ago:

http://www.galtsgulchonline.com/posts...

For those of you new to this discussion, here's what took place about a year ago:

http://www.galtsgulchonline.com/posts...

Hoo-Whee!!! Talk about a big bite. Biggest problem I see is the indigenous population AND the government. They won't want to let go very easily and policing the criminal component would be far our capabilities.

It will be driven by religious belief until he gets tired of supporting the moochers then he will cut the funding and be assassinated. Unless it is a place where people with money and brains will pay for the chance to be there it will fail. This market will have many choices of where to live. How many want to home school or will the billionaire pay for schools and teachers.
Why put their lives and fortunes at the whim of a billionaire who finally will throw in your towel. Who do you know that you would trust to be sure food, fuel, medicine, and life basics were there for your family. That's the beauty of a free market it ensures what you need is right there. Not even Bill Gates can replace a free market.

I want to add another thing, if I may. Everything I would want to bring would fit quite nicely in a forty foot shipping container. If you were find a place to a Gulch perhaps if a large enough group of people had similar "needs"( I hate to use that word) a small cargo ship could accomidate them?, That of course would require the Gulch to have a dock and port equipment.. Can you tell I would really like to see this happen? When can we go? HUH, Huh When?

I have a pretty good collection of non-electric tools for automotive, woodworking,,plumbing , general carpentry as well my new blacksmith tools, including a small forge. Also gardening and lumber jacking. As far as electric and/or gas powered yes I have those too nothing along industrial size, I have the hand tools and skills to go along with them incase of a grid down situation. as far as your comment on energy I agree with the comment below. Another idea might include some solar arrays, and since we will be on an island how about wave/tide powered hydro electric turbines? As far as a really serious question, as I was typing the original post, I thought you would ask about what means of self protection might be appropriate.

Sorry, I'm not being clear. I am thinking very big. I mean the country, Venezuela, the whole country.