I've been tossed out on my pixels!!

It seems to me that this is a business decision, just like any other decision on where to spend your money should be, even on personal things. On the mainland, you know LL isn't going to evict you without cause - ie. if you manage not to get yourself banned and pay your tier, you get to keep your land as long as you like and do with it what you please. On the other hand, don't expect much in the way of service from your landlord, and God only knows who you will get for neighbors.

Weigh that against a private estate where you have a better opportunity to have good neighbors and a higher level of service. The risk is that you get a bad landlord and you lose your investment. You can control that risk somewhat by carefully choosing a landlord, but you can never eliminate it.

Risk vs. reward. The age old balancing act.

re: rental land.... Figtree, Lamont and Lord Berchot are all people i would trust.

For me, SL is about diversion and fun.

So I'm with Brenda - SL is an entertainment cost, and therefore what I do in SL is a "pleasure", not business, decision. Hopefully, wherever you nest, it's fun enough or pleasant enough that it is worth whatever you spend. There are fun and pleasant situations both on mainland and on islands.

I also tend to regard land cost as depreciable - thus, if I stay in a place long enough, I don't care if I sell it for any money at all. This also contributes to my overall happiness

And as quickly as they come they go.

In the mean time while waiting out the casino to go belly up... I am not sure what the SL name of those large scenic screens are but I can put those up and block any visual annoyances.

Thankfully I am surrounded currently by residential plots so no current issues. But if one does and becomes a big problem long term i'll just move and buy a new plot else where. As I always say 'money is like jello, they always make more!' as I said I have no issue paying a bit if I have the peace of mind and stability.

Well, that varies depending on the parcel, how much landscaping and amenities. 1200L per week for 300-400 prims seems to be rather standard in established communities where the rentals are townhouse or apartment like.

Keep in mind, this is just my observation after doing basic research before I move in somewhere and this may be considered 'high end'. I have lived in one wonderful place, in a gorgeous townhouse, where the rent was somewhat higher - but it was worth it to me for the stunning sense of community that existed there; friendly neighbors, lots of events and live music in the clubhouse, great landlord. I'd still be there, but I get bored easily. LOL. Currently the waiting list is long for this community, which speaks again to the excellent landlords. If they ever start renting actual land parcels, I'm there. = )

As far as renting actual land - that has varied for me too but my average has been a 4096 at 937 prims for approx 1900L per week. Again, I know there are probably places that are less costly but it fits into my budget and I don't mind paying for the covenant and good customer service. I LOVE that no noisy or ugly businesses or builds will ever encroach my parcel. There is also the option to buy the parcel but why? Owners are just renters anyway, no matter how you look at it.

Landlords, feel free to enlighten me if my numbers seem off.

Not only that but he left off the initial purchase price of 35,000 until questioned about it. That's another $35,000. ( $132 USD ). I'm on disability so I struggle with the $35 a month I have to pay for my 4096. If I didn't have a friend leave SL suddenly and dump his plot on me for only $L5, I would still be renting. Bless him.

Absolutely on both counts. In RL I owned a home for many years and now currently rent and prefer the freedom it affords for my current lifestyle.

There is no "right or wrong" except to do a bit of homework on land, tiers, etc. if one chooses to buy in SL and asking around for references if one chooses to rent.

I have rented 3 separate properties in SL and all 3 have been wonderful!! Excellent landlords who were/are delightful with whom to deal. (Wanted to put in a plug for the truly good landlords out there since we mainly hear the horror stories on the forum *smiles*)

Were talking pocket change $20... I spend that plus going out to eat or a movie. 15, 25, 35... its a fair amount but far from bank breaking (cavet: To me, I certainly understand others may not be in my position).

I didn't 'leave' anything out. What I paid for the land wasn't the point of the initial discussion. I don't appreciate the insinuation I am trying to be deceitful with my comments. For the record that was a very good price, one of the cheapest listed prices for a block of 4096 land.

Take everything one has paid a landlord in rent over a yr, add it up. Eventually ones gets to the critical mass where they could have purchased their own land rather then pay someone else's rent. Just making my point.

But in the end, to each their own, if renting works for you I am happy for you I just rather not have my personal SL property in the hands, and ultimate control, of some stranger. As a fellow system admin once told me 'your really not in control (of the server) unless you have access to the power button'. Same applies here IMO.

It was a good price, there's still some about priced like that too if you search hard enough and it's not all bad. I don't think the insinuation was that you were being deceitful but just an observation of the overall costs mounting up, come on we're still in the feast of Christmas



Here I disagree, this is my point about SL not being like RL. I could rent a 4096 for 12 months and still not have paid as much in land use and membership fees as someone who owns a 4096 and that's without including the purchase price. This is the discrepancy, this is why ownership isn't the great temptation it should be here.

This is because if you own a full sim, you pay less per metre than someone who owns a 4096, so someone owning a full sim can rent the land out and still make a profit and yet be competitive with LL's fees. Really, it shouldn't be this way. The incentive to own for financial reasons doesn't exist.

I was merely pointing out the hidden costs that are easy to forget. I didn't insinuate anything. Since you aren't in the land business I would see no reason why you would. Before you get upset next time, look back at your insinuations earlier at Raymond, only one of the nicest guys in the forums.

Remember, it's easy to read things wrong in forums since we don't have voice or face inflection. Let's be easy on each other.

Same for me - but it's still the same sort of decision making process. For the completely recreational users like us, it's a simple cost/benefit analysis. We have a budget for entertainment and we spend it according to where we get the benefit we like. Does the cost of SL justify the benefit? For me it does. I'd rather spend US$30 in SL where it will go a LONG ways and give me hours of fun than spend it on a crummy movie and overpriced popcorn that only gives me 2 hours of entertainment. (ok, I go to movies as well, but that's not my point). Even if you just own a business for the fun of building and the joy of selling, you still perform simple risk analysis and cost/benefit analysis all the time.

I am sorry about you being tossed out on your pixels.
I don't know how to help but does your pain look like this in my painting
"tears for disposal pixels" ?
Good news homelessness doesn't always end as badly as this image but the virtual disappointments
I know sometimes feel like the image in photos.
I don't know what else to share except art with you... Sorry its bit big.

I am sorry about you being tossed out on your pixels.
I don't know how to help but does your pain look like this in my painting
"tears for disposal pixels" ?
Good news homelessness doesn't always end as badly as this image but the virtual disappointments feels pretty awful.
I know sometimes it can even feel like the image in photos.
I don't know what else to share except art with you... Hope you find a happier place then
this one in the New Year!

This is quite true... and I think the huge discrepancy in tier accounts for the problem with getting and retaining premium members. On a per sq.m. basis, that bonus 512 isn't a bad deal, with most of the membership fee recouped by stipend, but that next 512 is far from cost-effective: US$5/mo... something like L$315/wk for 117 additional prims.

Azure Islands. I've been there for over two years, and never regretted my 10-minute judgment to trust these guys two years ago, when they were just starting out.

Now they have a whole bunch of sims. I believe - but don't quote me on this - you can either rent from them, rent to "buy," or "buy." (I chose the "buy" option when I first signed on with them. It means I can sell my land whenever I want, for whatever I want, and keep the profit.)

The discussion about owning your own on mainland and renting or "buying" from landlords has been going on forever. I feel I have a rather unique take on it, being as how I do both.

The land I bought from LL is mine, and mine alone. I have to answer for nobody for it, except the Lindens. That is a wonderful feeling, and I would hate not to have it.

The land I "own" on Azure - that gives me the benefit of a beautiful neighborhood, and a covenant I like, which means nothing too horrible will go up right next to me!

So - I think both ways are great. The problem comes in when an unscrupulous (or broke) landlord renigs on his end of the deal. So before you rent or buy from these individuals, you have to really do some asking around.

Unfortunately, that isn't obvious to people who are just starting out - to them, all of these arrangements look totally kosher, and they don't know that this might happen to them, and they will have little recourse.

coco

Well . . . I don't think you are quite aware of all the things that CAN go wrong on the mainland, and all the aggravation it can cause people, that aren't quite so easily solved.

coco

If you can't trust a hamster, who CAN you trust? I always say.

coco

sent you an im in game smiles i got an offer you can not refuse

Here is a link to my previous comments on this type of situation. Sorry to hear you got screw by the an idiot, good luck in the future.

/327/d3/227466/2.html#post1786420

I used to be mainland:

L$40K purchase price for 4096
$10 per month membership
$25 per month tier

Lag, idiot neighbors (come and go or not, when they were there it was hell).

Decided on rental (Maria Christine - it's a mix of commercial and residential so I can have both a store and a home)

L$17.5k purchase price for 4096
$0 per month membership fee
L$7k (~$25) per month tier

No lag, nice neighbors (helps that a friend is a few parcels away)

L$17.5k

$0

L$7k (~$25)

priceless


-There are some things Lindens can't buy; for everything else there's Mastercard-

~Happy Holidays~

LMAO!! That truly *was* priceless. *hugs* Happy New Year!

I so wish some of these island owners who "give up the ghost" would try to at least sell their island to someone who can handle the monthly tier - but does not want to pay the 1000+ USD for an island.

This way - they would win - get something back - plus get the tier off their back and/or tennants a new landlord that would be happy to have them.

BTW I did get a refund

Wonderful. At least you can say you had an honest landlord.