Thoughts on off-grid/simple living/mortgages/peak oil

[lovelymama2]

I just wanted to express some of my thoughts on how these topics tie together, and I thought I'd put it in this thread because my questions are essentially about "off-grid living."

I'm aware of peak oil and how our future is basically dependent upon our learning not to rely on fossil fuels and even alternative energy sources so much. So our family is really trying to learn how to live sustainably and we'd really love to live off-grid ... and not just off-grid, but possibly in an Amish-type direction. I'm learning herbalism (soon), and we're both trying to learn sustainable small-scale agriculture and permaculture -- with my DH possibly going to school for it. We really see the need to learn how to live extraordinarily simply. (We're also vegan, and I have lots of questions about how to live sustainably while not using animals -- I know animal manure is important to soil health.)

So ... one of the main obstacles to our simple living/off grid dream is just the huge expense of a mortgage. How on earth do you manage to obtain land while not having an oppressive monthly payment? Are there areas of the country that are simply just affordable for off-grid, simple living people? Do you try to save up first to own land, then just need enough for taxes? Or do you try to sell the stuff you grow, instead of using it for your family?

I'm just curious how people manage it. We don't want an expensive place at all, yet we do want our own land. I just wanted others' perspectives on this.

[mattemma04]

We are not off the grid,but I wanted to comment on the tax thing.I know it changes,but I would look for an area with low tax even if the land costs a little bit more.My mom paid off her home,but she has to work to cover the close to 4k in taxes each year.It is sad to think she could loose a $200k house she worked so hard to own if she is unable to pay her tax.Good ofcourse for the city!

A place with some wooded area is great since you can log your own firewood.I love the idea of solar heating even if just for water.My dh's family had solar heating for the water.Also a wood burning stove for cooking and heating.

You can find deals out there of people just wanting to sell at a loss,because they have to move.I knew a lady who sold her 60k house for 25k.I am still upset we did not get that house! I had no idea she would go so low,and we were afraid to make low ball offers.Well someone did and got a deal of a lifetime!

[sparkygirl74]

There are many levels leading up to self sufficiancy and I would recommend taking it slow rather than jumping right in. We live on 20 acres...about half wooded and we have been working towards it, but it isn't easy. We heat with wood right now but still use oil for our hot water. We are on grid for electricity and while we try to be conservative we are still dependant on it. Eventually we would like to do a combo of solar and wind to fix thatt but it is expensive! We freeze a lot in the summer to have in the winter, but that right there requires electricity. You can always dehydrate and can. No matter what you will probably need some sort of income for the stuff you won't be able to make or trade for. There are many things that can be done from home to help, from selling produce to running a web business.

I also wanted to add there are long periods of time where I do everything right and think I am completely ready to go off grid, than there are periods of time where I just want store bought bread or a day with no chores, lol.

[nine_rugrats]

Originally Posted by sparkygirl74

I also wanted to add there are long periods of time where I do everything right and think I am completely ready to go off grid, than there are periods of time where I just want store bought bread or a day with no chores, lol.

I am the same way. Sometimes I wonder why i make my life so much harder, but then other times i love it.

We live in an area with very low taxes. We bought an old farmhouse that we are fixing up as we can. It was unlivable at first so we lived in a trailer til we got it livable. We were able to pay cash for it and then we bought some additional land that was for sale next to us and we do have a mortgage on that. Which hopefully we will have paid off quickly. I would also get at least 20 acres. And try to get something that you can pay off quickly, or pay cash for. Where we live if you want to live out pretty far things are so cheap. I guess everyone wants to be close to town. The other thing, i learned to lower my expectations and i also learned to look and something and see what it CAN become. When people saw our house at first they looked shocked that we bought it. But it is getting there now. And its paid for, so thats the most important thing to me.

And we work(i only work very part time), but i also do a few side things. Also, we barter alot. I would love for my husband not to work but i dont see that ever happening

[Dillpicklechip]

Lovelymama, you'd probably be interested in reading Rob Roy's book, Mortage Free. It's not in print anymore but you can find a used copy on Amazon.com for about three bucks. In this book the author describes how you can obtain land and build an eco-friendly house on it without ever having a mortgage.

Of course, his method involves saving up a lot of money to begin with. But once you do that, and build your home, you can live for very cheaply if you don't have a mortage payment.

My husband and I haven't actually done this yet--but we're definitely moving in that direction, and have started saving!