Eric Fleck (efleck999) wrote in off_topic_cafe, @ 2008-01-24 08:31:00 |
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Current location: | Reno, NV |
Current music: | Frank Zappa - Motherly Love (live 1966) |
I posted this to my own IJ a little earlier,
and just thought to myself... "hey, lets post
it someplace where some other people might read it"...
So I'm posting it here... for all of you to read.
Basically, I talk about my plans to
"Buy land really cheap, and build my own place on it,
and live off the grid. [To live] not TOO FAR from anything, but far enough."
Oh yeah, I'm new to IJ after being on LJ since 2003,
so I'm open to making new friends on IJ. If what you
read sounds interesting, let me know.
Anyways...
It's behind a cut... it's very long and wordy.
And if line breaks hurt your eyes, I'm sorry,
but that's the way I type.
And so it begins:
Anyone who's been talking to me knows
that a plan of mine is to be self-employed
and live on a cheap piece of rural land.
I'm quite inspired by this book I *HAVE*
called "Possum Living".
So... I was looking at some websites...
...it turns out I can get about 2 acres of land
near Klamath Lake, Oregon for about $20K,
and a mortgage for it at $170 a month. I'd
have to build my own shelter though, but I have
no problem with it, in fact, that's EXACTLY what
I want... build my own. As far as I know, as long
as I have access to water (via a well) and
a telephone line, I'd be fine. (I *WANT TO*
live off the grid... generate my own power)
As for paying for it, I'm currently on that
debt plan with Incharge to be completely
out of debt by 2010. (I will also be done with
school by then) So... instead of paying $170 a month
to pay off credit cards... I could be making a monthly
payment for some land I'd eventually live on
after I (and my GF if we are still together by
then) am done getting my education. I might
still have to live in the city for a while, but
I'd have that be my vacation place until I'm ready to
live on it permanently. (and maybe telecommute
if not be a free-lance graphic designer / cartoonist /
artist / writer / whatever)
...Now, I'm not going to buy this land
just yet. In fact, I'm just stating this
as an example of something I wanna do...
Buy land really cheap, and build my own
place on it, and live off the grid.
It's not TOO FAR from anything, but far
enough. :)
For all I know, I might do something like
this ON THE EAST COAST... if I can find
something cheap enough. But I don't want
to live someplace where it's so humid
that old cars rust to pieces in five years,
and I don't want to live someplace where
the ground is covered in five feet of snow
half the year. (although I used to have
plans on moving to Alaska... WHEN I WAS NINE)
Miss Amanda is all for it. :)
In fact, she said she kinda wants to
live away from the city as well. She also
said that the idea of growing all of our
own food sounds cool too... :)
The only thing she wants is someplace
where it snows, but doesn't get TOO COLD,
and a place that isn't super dry. Sounds
good to me, although I don't mind dry,
but being around lots of trees would
be nice too. OH YEAH, being able to take
nice long hot showers is a requirement.
I agree with her on that. :D
I just want something cheap enough
to where I could have it all
paid off in 5-10 years if I wanted,
and just throw a few old RV's on it
until I can get around to building something
more permanent. :)
...and no, I'm not making plans that
are DEPENDENT on her, but it helps to know
EARLY that she won't object to living like that.
I have A LOT of weird ideas for how I want
to live my life, and I want someone who
is ok with these ideas (even better if they
are 100% for these ideas)
I want someone who wants to do all the same
things I do. But I guess time will tell...
I also want something big enough to where
I can put up a half dozen smaller shelters
in case family / friends want to stay / live / retire
there with us, and pay us rent or provide
a service in exchange if they decide to
make it an extended stay. (like help in growing
of food) Something big enough to where we can
still have some sort of privacy. I know
my dad will probably live there when
he gets older... unless it's too cold
for him... he already complains that
Reno is too cold for him though. But then again,
he would be a good resource when it comes
to building a house. I could probably design
it myself, (designing houses was a passion when
I was a kid, and I took three years of engineering
classes and architecture when I was younger
and also training in AutoCAD)
consult with an architect to make
sure it's safe, and hire people like my dad's
brother to help build it.
So... maybe some of you will say "oh, that's such
an old idea... lots of people are doing that"
while many people will think the whole concept
is either too alien to them, or is insane or
very lame. I HONESTLY DON'T CARE. What's good
for you may not be good for me, and vice versa.
But I would still like to hear what you all think,
and would appreciate any advice that would help me
in my goal. (don't bother telling me to NOT do
this, as I already have my mind set on eventually
doing it, but if you have, and can drop some
hints for me, or links to websites... I'd appreciate it)
ALSO: If any of you are interested in reading "Possum Living",
the whole book is online... here:
http://www.f4.ca/text/possumliving.htm