How to Obtain Your Own Island in Second Life

Ever dreamed of owning your own island? At Second Life--a virtual site in which members can talk, create, party and even buy and sell--owning land is the only way to participate fully in everything there is to do. Land is the place where you can create an object, an experience or an entire personal kingdom. Most members choose small, inexpensive plots and pay in Linden dollars (L$), the Second Life currency. But a few are serious enough about their virtual pleasures to buy huge parcels of land, like islands, with real money and extensive maintenance costs. Here's how you can buy your own island.

Instructions

Difficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

• Second Life Client download
• Linden dollars (L$), the virtual currency used in Second Life
• Computer with Internet access via DSL or cable modem

1. Visit the Second Life home page and obtain a membership (see the Resources section below). To buy land, you must be a top-tier premium member.
2. Make sure you qualify to own an island. You must be a concierge, which means you already own land and pay a certain maintenance fee. Your credit record must be spotless. You must have a good reputation within the site for never violating any of the rules.
3. Select how and from whom you will obtain the island: from a single seller, at auction or from the Land Store, which sells only the most expensive properties.
4. Find out the price. Remember, this is real money--not Linden dollars.
5. Determine your reasons for wanting the land. What do you plan to build that takes up this much space? Is it worth not only the purchase price but also the ongoing monthly fees you must pay?
6. Use the "Search" tool to locate a map of the area you want to buy.
7. Click on a parcel to see if it is for sale. Reserve or buy the island.

Tips & Warnings

• If you buy your island from the Land Store, you may want to reserve it for a fee while you decide if you really want it.
• To upgrade your membership, go into your member's page and click on "Accounts" (see Resources below).
• Since this transaction uses real money, you will pay with either a credit card or PayPal. Use caution when you give out any financial information.
• Make sure you understand the responsibilities associated with owning islands in Second Life. Read through the knowledge base article "About Land" before you purchase (see Resources below).