yurt living? - Page 7

[kittywitty]

Thanks for sharing! What a find!

[ElkMtnsMama]

We bought a 30' yurt from Colorado Yurt Company back in 2006, with the intention of putting it up on our land the following summer, but were delayed by a property boundary problem with our land, which is an old mining claim and backs up to National Forest. Now, we have had the land surveyed, are sure of where the boundaries are, and hope to get started with the yurt this summer. Our land is above 10,000 ft. elevation, so we have to wait for some of the snow to melt out before we can begin.

A question for YurtDwellingMama: You said you installed the full insulation package on your yurt. Did yours come with the mylar-faced bubble wrap type insulation as ours did, or did you add something more? Because of the amount of snow our land gets, we will be installing the vertical wall studs (2 by 6), and had thought of putting insulation batts between the studs, then adding wood siding on theinside. This would hide the lattice, though, and may be unnecessary, because I doubt we will see colder temps than you have, there in MN.
It's great to learn of others living in yurts! I've really enjoyed reading this thread, and thanks for sharing the photos, YurtDwellingMama!

[AddysMom]

Yay, More yurt people! No one around here seems to know what they are. They think we are absolutely crazy for wanting one. I can barely wait to get ours up.

[Mammajamma]

okay, a yurt of my own in the wilds of alaska: is something I dream about every night- I am that I found this thread!

[reillys_mom]

We have a 24 ft yurt in Northern California with full insultation (the mylar bubble kind) and it gets cold. We don't have a full stove, just a couple of space heaters (we don't live there except during the summer, which is relatively cold at night). Our foundation is just raised peer blocks, a plywood subfloor and cork tile. More insultation there might help. The worst part is that because the manufacturer is sub par the interior lining doesn't come close to covering the insulation so instead of having a peaceful environment I live in a drapey jiffy pop.

[francesca'smom]

I hate to dwell on this because I know it's been asked, but what about bears? does anyone live in a yurt in a bear area? do you think they could rip through the liner, and how strong is the framing? Last year we had bears breaking into people's garages and raiding their freezers and garbage in our area. So I am thinking I can't have a yurt here.

[ElkMtnsMama]

I know several people living in yurts here in the CO Rockies (definitely bear country) and the consensus seems to be that the best way to deter bears is to run an electric fence around the perimiter of your porch. One person has one of those solar electric fences commonly used by ranchers, which uses a small solar panel to keep a battery charged, so the fence continues to function on cloudy days and at night.
Have heard of one instance where a bear tried to break into a yurt, and he couldn't get through the lattice, but the outer fabric and insulation needed some repairs!

[lunabelly]

Originally Posted by francesca'smom

I hate to dwell on this because I know it's been asked, but what about bears? does anyone live in a yurt in a bear area? do you think they could rip through the liner, and how strong is the framing? Last year we had bears breaking into people's garages and raiding their freezers and garbage in our area. So I am thinking I can't have a yurt here.

I found this at yurtinfo.org:

"Are yurts bear proof?
Yes and no. I've heard stories about bears in Alaska trying to break into yurts without success. But there's a bear in central Idaho that managed to break into a back country (unoccupied) yurt; in fact this bear comes through at the same time every Spring and the owner leaves the door open and cleans up after the bear, rather than risk more damage to the yurt.

If you live in bear country it's a good idea to build your deck up high (preferably high enough to put a full story underneath for storage, and close it in with walls or skirting for warmth). A north Idaho couple used this tactic and feel it helped avoid problems with the numerous bears on their property."

We are considering a yurt in-law. I'm very excited about it but worried about the bears, too.

[francesca'smom]

Thanks ElkMtnsMama! so the lattice is stronger than I was thinking, but the electric fence makes a lot of sense.
They may choose to stay up higher this year (more snow this year=more wild food) but we may have to get electric fences to preserve our fruit trees.

[francesca'smom]

Originally Posted by lunabelly

I found this at yurtinfo.org:

"Are yurts bear proof?
Yes and no. I've heard stories about bears in Alaska trying to break into yurts without success. But there's a bear in central Idaho that managed to break into a back country (unoccupied) yurt; in fact this bear comes through at the same time every Spring and the owner leaves the door open and cleans up after the bear, rather than risk more damage to the yurt.

If you live in bear country it's a good idea to build your deck up high (preferably high enough to put a full story underneath for storage, and close it in with walls or skirting for warmth). A north Idaho couple used this tactic and feel it helped avoid problems with the numerous bears on their property."

We are considering a yurt in-law. I'm very excited about it but worried about the bears, too.

Thanks lunabelly. I'm feeling a little more encouraged about the possibility.
That's an interesting idea about building a second story underneath. I've seen them climb trees and go over a wood fence REALLY fast, but never an actual wall.
As far as leaving it opn, it would be scary to come to your unoccupied yurt not really knowing if the bear was in there. We've had bears sleeping in unfinished construction sites around here.

[kittywitty]

Has anyone had to deal with building codes and yurts? Like, septic and water, etc. required even though you want a compost toilet, etc.?

ANd the Pacific yurt has the water catchement system. Can you use that with some sort of plumbing or does it just "catch" it. How would that work out?

[langyork]

This yurt stuff looks a lot like the round house I saw in the Greenfield Museum near detroit mi. If you are near there, this house is really cool.

We just bought land and a travel trailor. Living off the grid there, although, for us its just for fun. We live on the grid throughout the week near Lansing.

[ecodadof3]

yurt for sale

I havent posted on here for a while been busy, this last month and alot has changed. I have been offered a job on the west coast that I cant refuse, which means I will have to put my yurt living off for some time. So I will be selling my 30 pacific yurt. It is older but still in good shape, has the ceiling insulation, wall insulation and wind and snow kit. I am selling it for $8000 so if anyone is interested they can reach me at [e-mail] The price includes new window covers, a new door, and new dome skylight I have ordered. It is disappointing for me yet exciting since oregon is very beautiful and mn is cold!: Send me and email if interested! Thanks

[stretchmark]

We had a bear rip into our Pacific Yurt but he couldn't get through due to the lattice, studs, insulation, and whatever else. He just ripped the canvas a bit and it still held tight, no leaks or wind problems.

Our yurt was donated because the community we lived in had a major forest fire and Pacific Yurts donated some domes and yurts. I used to think I wanted a dome but was so glad I got the yurt. We had to have a constant fire at 8,600 ft in the winter but is was easy enough with a good stove.

[Nibsie]

I loved reading this thread. DH and I live in town in an older home and I dream of living in a yurt someday soon. I appreciate all of the info and links

[techiefarmer]

love yurts

Hi Guys,

I previously owned a 30' Pacific Yurt but had to sell it due to financial pressures. It was going to go up on my 50 acre rural property. I did not yet have the septic system dealt with that should be completed this january. Bought the property in sep 07.

I was bummed to say the least having to sell it, but I learned a lot about these in terms of how they are put together, how well insulated they are, how they hold up. I'll share that experience here with you all.

I paid about $10k for it and needed the money to pay bills and taxes. So off it was sold to someone who really needed it and was going through a divorce and owned a piece of land. I am glad it worked out for her. The yurt will work good with a wood stove, but feels like a tent.

Recently, I found a really nice older 24' yurt pacific for $2 grand. It did not have the insulation kit but will work well for camping and transition living on the property. It included the deck and is about 10 years old. Could not pass up at this price. I really want to panelize the interior with real insulation down the road.

I have been very fortunate as I have found the following:

A really nice 12x36' metal horse barn with two stalls. Going to frame this in and make it part of the living area outside of the yurt. Retail: $6k, bought for $2k in a liquidation.

5200 watts worth of used solar panels for off-grid use. Cost: $10k, retail about $25k. PG&E is 800' away, will hook up eventually but cost is about $15-20k. Going to mount solar panels to the roof of the barn and also extend the barn to be 36x24 or 36x36.

A 33' 1999 travel trailer with two bedrooms, propane fridge, 24' awning for $4k.

An original 1975 New in the box Meyers well pump above ground 1/2 HP jetted well pump that will do 4-5GPM at 90-100'. $30 craigslist. New is $350.

The yurt is the item completing the ability to truly get rid of the mortgage at some point and live on the land. We've camped in the trailer and we're sick of it after a day. Too narrow and I can't have a real size bed in the trailer; this means I am exhausted the following day, back is killing me, etc.


Water table is 60'.
I also have a spring that is supposed to be year round that is 1800' away.
Drilling a well: $8400 @ 200'. OUCH! An original windmill existed on the site where the spring is located.

So, just need the septic installed and I can live out there. It is going to be quite the challenge as we have 3 kids (6,4,2) ages. I definitely think that the yurt will be expanded to as we can afford it shortly. Eventually going to build a nice 2500 sq foot house on the property in a few years when things are better in the economy and financially. If nothing else, this will be a great experience not only for me but for my children, as they will learn to live with less gadgets and less television, but will have a nice playground that's already out there in the country. We will then have finances to continue to improve both our living situation and the property on a monthly basis versus burning that money in interest.

I hope more of you are willing to take this step. I am about there and I hope this is really worth it. Come this spring, a move from my primary residence will be possible. I seriously think a yurt is substantially better long term and financially than a single wide or double wide trailer. Just the permit costs for a manufactured home here are more than a new 30' yurt.

Brock

[Collinsky]

: Subbing... I'm pretty sure any question I was going to ask has already been answered in this thread, so I'll have to come back to read through!

[AddysMom]

We have decided to build a soild wall yurt since I last wrote. I thought I would add with us doing all the work it came out to the same price as fabric.

[CariOfOz]

I have had Yurt-lust for a couple of years now and my DH is finally on board! His parents are going to be buying about 5-10acres a bit out of the city in the next 12-18months and their plan was to build a prefab 'kit' home and then put a smaller granny flat next to it. Once the granny flat was complete they'd move into it, we'd take over the larger house (and it's taxes/rates etc). All this was going to be at their expense using the money they're making off the sale of their current home but I HATED the idea of them spending 60k of that on a house that we were going to live in

So after much drooling and oohing & ahhing over yurt info, pics, and finding a sales company here (they import US yurts apparently) I have convinced him that a yurt is a better way to go! We have 3small boys and I want to think I'm not crazy? (they are 6.5, 4.5 & 2.5). They share a room already so that wouldn't be a problem for them In the beginning I'm thinking a 30footer would do ok for kitchen/living/sleep space and plan to have a sleep loft (probably for me & dh since I cannot trust the kids to not pitch each other off in a moment of agitation lol) I'd possibly get dad to help us build a small attached bathroom. After a year or so of saving what would be our rent money, we could buy a second yurt and attach using part of the bathroom as a hallway (I have this planned out in my head honest lol) All we have to do is work out the electric, plumbing etc with FIL.

SOOooo, AM I crazy? Have I lost my mind? lol

[pixiewytch]

Hey, your plan is exactly what we had planned with connected yurts and a separate bathhouse, sans electricity though. It sounds great. If finances and schooling weren't a problem for us we would be doing the exact same thing right now.