People have long joked about running away with the circus instead of facing the inconveniences of adulthood, but lately, going off the grid and sustaining one’s self has become more appealing than singing for supper. While it’s not feasible for every person with these aspirations to buy land and/or start a homestead, a lucky few have successfully done it. Among them is Alanna Gold of Selling Sunset fame, who’s a proud part-owner of Pioneertown in California. Keep reading to learn more about her real estate ventures and for our guide on how to buy a town of your own.

What Is Pioneertown?

Now that season eight of Selling Sunset is on Netflix, curiosity is growing about the newest cast member. Besides being a legendary seller, Gold has made some major money moves of her own with the partial purchase of Pioneertown. “In 2020, when we learned that a large portion of Pioneertown was for sale, we saw an incredible opportunity not only to strengthen our ties to the community but also to preserve a piece of history,” the reality starlet told People at the time.

“Together with our remarkable partner, David Corso, we founded Pioneertown Land Management with a mission to restore Pioneertown to its original vision and purpose. We are fortunate to have the support of investor Gary Friedman, who shares our passion for this project,” Gold added. It’s unclear how much she and her husband Adam Gold paid for their chunk of Pioneertown, but the location holds plenty of sentimental value for the couple. Not only did they have their first date there, but they also tied the knot at the famous movie set/town.

The Gold’s property was first established in 1946 in the Morongo Basin region of the High Desert in San Bernardino County. It’s much quieter than other California destinations, but Joshua Tree and Palm Springs are both nearby. Pioneertown was created to replicate an 1880s Wild West town and was designed so the community could live and work on their films in one location. Over 200 productions have been filmed in the area, and these days it remains open as a tourist attraction where you can camp or rent a room at the Rimrock Ranch.

How to Buy a Town

If having property to take care of sounds enticing and you’re now wondering how to buy a town, Lendstart reminds us that there are important legal, financial and logistical matters to consider. “Buying a town involves acquiring ownership of a significant portion, if not all, of the land, buildings, and potentially the governance structures within a defined area. This can include residential properties, commercial buildings, public spaces, and the infrastructure that supports the town, such as roads, utilities, and possibly even local services,” the outlet notes.

Besides the standard responsibilities that come with home ownership, taking on a town means considering “the stewardship of its heritage, the well-being of any existing residents and the community’s future development.” There are many reasons towns are listed for sale, including economic decline, depopulation, natural disasters, environmental challenges and estate settlement. If you find one that feels within reach of your financial situation, be sure to research the town’s history before committing to purchase.

Details on how to buy a town are most accessible to wealthy individuals who can afford to do so, but corporations and investment groups can also come together to take ownership. Even if you have the funds to buy your own Pioneertown, consider how much it will cost to restore and maintain the property, not to mention providing public services. “Legal and logistical challenges like zoning laws, property taxes and environmental regulations should not be underestimated,” Lendstart points out.

If you’re serious about this journey, your first step will be to research and identify potential towns, then conduct due diligence (legal status, financial assessment and infrastructure and environmental review) to ensure everything is as seems. From there, you’ll want to secure financing and submit your offer, but prepared to negotiate. If things go in your favor, take time to plan for the development and management of your town and engage with the community to make sure their needs are met.