Years ago, I may have thought this was a strange concept - I mean, I grew up in suburbia and in my 20s and early 30s, lived in several downtown areas across this great country of ours, enjoying city life.  But now?  Several years ago, I fell in love with a man who is sort of opposed to suburbs, if you will.  He isn't a fan of neighborhood covenants and homeowner's associations and, well, regulations and whatnot.  He likes open space.  No, he NEEDS open space.  And in choosing to become his wife, I knew that I'd more than likely never live in a suburb or downtown area ever again.  I always told him that as long as I wasn't more than 10 miles from a Super Target, this city girl would happily become a country girl.  I'm adaptable like that.

And so it goes.

Now that I've lived both kinds of lives, I would never go back to the city by choice.  And I truly understand why my husband loves it, too.  Country living is all about freedom.  And oh, how I love me some freedom, y'all.

Between being a city-turned-country girl, as well as a political activist for the past four years, I can totally understand the desire to create a conservative "utopia" like the one the folks at "The Citadel" are trying to create.  They're a group of people in Idaho who have the intent on purchasing 2,000 to 3,000 acres to form a community that will be composed of "patriotic Americans who 'voluntarily choose to live together in accordance with Thomas Jefferson's ideal of Rightful Liberty.'"

What exactly is "Rightful Liberty?"  According to them on their website (cited above), that means that "neighbors keep their noses out of other neighbors' business, that neighbors live and let live."

I can relate to that. 

And here's the basic information on their initiative (directly from their website):

DESCRIPTION: The Citadel Community will house between 3,500 and 7,000 patriotic American families who agree that being prepared for the emergencies of life and being proficient with the American icon of Liberty — the Rifle — are prudent measures. There will be no HOA. There will be no recycling police and no local ordinance enforcers from City Hall.

LOCATION: We are in the process of selecting the ideal location among the beautiful mountains of Idaho in the American Redoubt.

PROJECT LAUNCH: We plan to purchase land for the Citadel in 2013 and break ground soon after. Even before unveiling our national advertising campaign, more than 200 families reserved space within our community!

WHY APPLY FOR RESIDENCE: If living in an affordable, safe, well-prepared, patriotic community where your children will be educated in school rather than indoctrinated, consider the Citadel. Approved applicants receive a Lifetime Lease (paid off in only 30 years). No credit check. No background check. Zero down payment. Zero interest. Zero property taxes.

HOW TO APPLY: Simply read through the information here on our website. If you believe the Citadel is ideal for you and your family, complete our application. More of your questions may be answered at our FAQ page.

HOUSING DETAILS: All homes will be built of poured concrete for exceptional strength and durability. Your home will be built to your specs (details available at this website) with utilities stubbed to the interior. You select the facade for the exterior of your home. You are responsible for completing the interior of your home as you wish. You may choose to do the work yourself, or hire contractors. But every single detail, from paint to tiles to counters, is your choice.

200 families have already filled out applications, and the land isn't even bought yet.  

Huh.

Like I said above, I can see the attraction in a place like this - especially for conservative-minded folks who are sick and tired of being regulated and ruled to death.  And as a country-convert myself, I GET the notion of being resistant to such regulation, while simultaneously being attracted to the notion of homesteading.  Those incliniations are entirely conservative, IMHO.  

But I'm curious, clever and competent readers.  What do you think?

Discuss.