We want to start a community in another country. Where do we begin?

K Answered by Kibutz

Many groups dream of building somewhere new — a better climate, more affordable land, a fresh start. It’s possible, and it adds a layer of complexity on top of everything else.

Start with the group, not the country:

1. Agree what you’re building before you fall in love with a place. The vision, decision-making and money questions are the same anywhere.
2. Agree how members will earn a living there. Remote work, local jobs, or a community business? This narrows the choice of country and region quickly.
3. Shortlist two or three places and visit them together. Spend time there out of season.
4. Get local professional advice early — on residency, buying land as foreigners, legal structures and planning rules. These differ widely between countries and decide what’s realistic.
5. Talk to existing communities in that country. They know the practical realities better than any website.

Moving abroad as a group can be a strength: you’re not arriving alone. But it also puts more strain on relationships, so the groundwork in your group workspace matters even more.