Yeah,  renting a home in Second Life is great. You get a cosy space to decorate with ridiculous amounts of gacha junk, an excuse to buy 17 couches, and somewhere to pretend you’re very productive while actually just zooming in and out on your avatar’s face for an hour.

But… what if you’re broke, or allergic to commitment, or just stubbornly refusing to spend a single Linden Dollar on anything that doesn’t sparkle? Don’t worry, I got you.

Here are four completely questionable ways to live in a home for free in Second Life, along with my advice.

Move in with Your Latest Second Life Love

You know how it goes. You met 20 minutes ago, they complimented your AO, and next thing you know, you’ve got co-rez rights and a toothbrush in their bathroom.

Why it’s great:

• Free house!
• Someone else pays the tier.
• Romantic, sort of.

Why it’s not so great:

• Relationship shelf life: 2 weeks, 3 days, and one weird IM argument about someone else’s profile picks.
• Suddenly, you’re the unpaid maid in their skybox.
• When the love ends, so does your housing situation, and possibly your inventory if you’re not careful.

My advice: Don’t move in faster than your textures rez. Unless you really like drama, then go nuts.

Rezzing a Home in a Sandbox

Because nothing says “luxury living” like plonking down a three-story mansion next to someone building a giant spinning banana.

Why it’s great:

• No rent.
• Total freedom.
• Excellent people-watching.
  

Why it’s not so great:

• Autoreturn. One minute you’re sipping wine in your kitchen, next minute your whole house is in your Lost & Found folder.
• Constant danger of being griefed by someone launching cubes that scream “YOU HAVE BEEN HACKED.”
• Privacy? What privacy?
  

My advice: Good for pics. Bad for actual living. Like camping out in IKEA.

Squatting in Homes Owned by People from Opposite Time Zones

If you’re clever and quiet, you can sneak into someone’s furnished home while they sleep in RL. Just don’t touch anything and definitely don’t leave poseballs behind.

Why it’s great:

• Fully furnished!
• Stocked fridge (if you pick the right home)
• You get to live out your secret dream of being a virtual raccoon.

Why it’s not so great:

• Extremely illegal (well, probably).
• When caught, you will get banned, ejected, or turned into a chicken.
• Morally… ehh.

My advice: Instead of squatting, just visit showrooms. Which leads us to…

Live in a Showroom

You know those beautiful, fully furnished demo homes you find at home and furniture stores? Yeah. Just plop your avatar on the bed, go AFK, and pretend it’s yours.

Why it’s great:

• Gorgeous interiors.
• No decorating stress.
• If anyone asks, you’re shopping.

Why it’s not so great:

• Store owners may not appreciate your squatting hobby.
• Random strangers may TP in and sit on “your” couch.
• Eventually, you’ll get kicked and/or banned. Possibly while wearing nothing but a mesh towel.

My advice: Visit for inspiration and shopping, not for living. It’s like trying to live in a hotel lobby. Not chic.

So, Should You Even Have a Home in Second Life?

Honestly? Maybe not.

Second Life isn’t about having the biggest skybox or the fanciest kitchen. Most of us haven’t cooked a single virtual meal in our lives (unless you count rezzing tacos). What matters is your friends, your adventures, and how good your avatar looks on Flickr and Primfeed.

If you want a home, consider a (cheap) rental; there are great options that won’t break the bank or your L$ budget. But if not? Just wander, crash at friends’ places, or float in a sandbox like a hobo with style.

Because in Second Life, home is where the HUD is!