Buying Island or Buying a Sim

heyas;

what's the difference between buying an island and buying a sim? er... is there any? i dont mean buying all the land in one sim that already exists. but apparently you can buy/order a private sim that isn't an island?

well, im confused, so that's why im asking. :)

Mainland sims are purchased at auction (www.secondlife.com/auctions). Private islands are purchased at a fixed rate of $1675. A private "island" isn't necessarily an island, you can mold the land to any shape you desire (+100m to -100m).

Buying a sim: the initial cost is set by auction. The tier is US$195/month. The sim is on the mainland and has neighbours. You do not gain access to the Estate Tools. You do not choose the name of the sim. Terraforming is limited. You can resell the land and once resold it is completely lost to you; the tier fees are passed on to the buyer.

Buying a island: the initial cost is fixed. The "tier" (actually "island fee" which is not linked to tier) is US$295/month. The sim is isolated from the rest of the world and has no neighbours. You do get the Estate Tools. You choose the name of the island. Terraforming is unlimited. You can resell the land, but even once resold can claim it back at any time; the buyer pays no tier, and you must still pay the island fee even if you have sold some of the land.

Is this true for ALL sims bought through the Land Store?

Does this explain why 65,536 sqm on http://secondlife.com/whatis/landpricing.php is $195/mo and the same amount of land for an island is $295/mo?

That does not make sense to me.

Sims bought at auction follow the rules for "sims" above.

Sims bought through the Land Store, where you choose a spot on the grid, follow the rules for "islands" above.



The island fee is higher for several reasons:
a) because islands offer extra features;
b) because islands tended to be bought by corporations and other wealthier customers;
c) to prevent resellers of island land from outcompeting the mainland.