somewhere like costa rica or the grove that has STANDARDS?

omg the crap out there...

Gyazo

anywhere that has good sim design and layout with decent neighbors

Try Willowdale? Forest design with little ponds, has some stuff included on the land parcels but you can delete / return to make way for houses and other items, and a little beach area if your on a parcel that borders the water and not on a inland one.

The lady that owns and runs Willowdale does it all by herself, no agents.

astrahsolo: omg i'm so behind - but thank you - i'm going to check her out!