This discussion has started to remind me quite a bit of the "Free State Project", which has been a major item of discussion among libertarian political circles for several years. (I have no doubt that most of them would be quite polygyny-friendly as well; it goes with the territory!
)
The bottom line there was a geographic split. Westerners greatly preferred Wyoming as the eventual choice, easterners went for New Hampshire. (A web search will turn up VOLUMES of information.) A book by "Boston T. Party" (pen name for Ken Royce) called
Molon Labe' describes many of the considerations and aspirations for the movement. His discussion site, and others, still exist, and describe not only the specifics of locations, but demographics, move plans, and so on. Some of the blogs are places like these:
http://www.freestatewyoming.org
http://www.freestatewyoming.org/btps-fr ... oming.html
http://www.fundamentalsoffreedom.com/fs ... pic=3863.0
There are way too many different religious cultures to have a religious compound. I was talking about just buying up enough land for at least 50 plural families to live. I mentioned stores and so forth as a way to bring money and people into the community.
Other options exist. My own family has been looking into such considerations for quite a number of years.
For example, there are a number of very large, and famously vacant, developments on attractive "view" properties in southern Colorado (and doubtless elsewhere, including Wyoming -- although those are generally
colder) which might qualify. Perhaps the most famous of these was initiated by the Forbes family several decades ago, in the San Luis Valley. Many of the parcels were never sold, only a few have been built out, and doubtless hundreds are still available - situated in proximity to one another, but nevertheless scattered over tens of thousands of acres. (Most of the properties are west of the La Veta Pass area; there are several names, but the keyword "forbes" should suffice for a search. Some parts will have utilities, many could have wells as well, but others remain very much "off the grid".)
During a depression, I am sure those looking to sell would find discouraged individuals (or heirs) anxious to hear virtually ANY offers. I have no doubt that there are contractors anxious for work as well. Other properties (including at least one 12,000+ acre development with an airstrip, which attracted my attention) are only a few miles away, as are a number of larger, very productive, farms, and other options.
This particular area is beautiful, but still fairly sparsely populated. Ringed by mountains, it offers good isolation from huge metro areas which may represent a significant liability in the event of societal breakdown, as well as some moderation from major winter snow events, flooding concerns, and so on. I'm happy to answer questions via PM if anyone would like more details on some specifics.
Blessings,
Mark