I usually try and make my "main base" on a sliver of meadows between plains AND swamp so I can farm Barley and leeches. Plus this is a hoot to watch the constant battling of mobs around me... Trolls getting smacked by Loxes. Greylings getting pummeled by skellies. etc. And every few days you can just walk around and collect a bunch of mats. A one-stone high wall is really all you need around your camp and a few benches so they dont spawn inside your camp.

I did have my first barley farm on a little island with a portal and that did work well, esp not having squito attacks.