That makes a lot of sense. The resources on Mars aren't ready to use so you want to go where there is nothing but energy. All it takes is some easily self sustaining technology to overcome the soil issue. It's called chemical engineering, something I'm slightly familiar with.

The gravity issue you mentioned earlier sure is a bigger problem in your preferred sight. You need artificial environments for living quarters in either place but in orbit your sheilding material must be transported there.

Don't know where you got the idea Mars has no atmosphere. It does and it is one of the highly useful resources on Mars. It can supply ample oxygen along with the water there with very old chemical engineering technology. It is also a key source of carbon which you will have trouble finding on the Moon or in empty space. I guess you've never heard of heaters either based on your Mars is cold comment.

In short it's pretty obvious you didn't review the links provided. It's also pretty strange that you raise a bunch of legitimate issues then ignore them in choosing a sight.

Regards,
Mark