Originally posted by Faceplant8:

I just renovate a nearby shack enough so I can sleep, cook, and craft because I know I wont be there long.

In the Black Forest I look for a tower ruin that has several copper rocks around it and is reasonably close to water.

If you're like me, you're going to go through several "main bases" in the game, so I wouldn't be too concerned at the beginning finding the perfect spot.

That's pretty much the same thing I do. There's usually a ruined house or hut nearby. Put down a workbench, fix it up, build a chest and bed. Then I'm ready to roll from there.