Modern-Day Hermit
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Joined: Sep 2002
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From: N Richland Hills, TX
Modern-Day Hermit
I want to get away! I am surrounded, literally, by millions of people
I live between Dallas and Fort Worth. I figure all I need is a piece of land that has water available. Internet, TV, and phone are available via satellite. Wind, solar, and back-up generator for electric. I want to go somewhere where it isn't hotter than Hades in the summertime and the winter isn't too harsh, but it also has to be affordable. (I know I don't ask for much
)
Is anybody else living out in the boonies and still maintaining a comfortable life-style?
I am looking at moving in about 6 years, my youngest daughter will be in college and I can get away. I would like to purchase the land this year and start to work things out so there are fewer surprises when I decide to pull the trigger!
As far as making a living, if I could make ten grand a year, combined with my savings, I could live just fine. So, any suggestions? Am I delusional? I am so burned out by all the people around here that Ted Kaczinsky's pad in Lincoln, Montana looks good to me!
I live between Dallas and Fort Worth. I figure all I need is a piece of land that has water available. Internet, TV, and phone are available via satellite. Wind, solar, and back-up generator for electric. I want to go somewhere where it isn't hotter than Hades in the summertime and the winter isn't too harsh, but it also has to be affordable. (I know I don't ask for much )Is anybody else living out in the boonies and still maintaining a comfortable life-style?
I am looking at moving in about 6 years, my youngest daughter will be in college and I can get away. I would like to purchase the land this year and start to work things out so there are fewer surprises when I decide to pull the trigger!
As far as making a living, if I could make ten grand a year, combined with my savings, I could live just fine. So, any suggestions? Am I delusional? I am so burned out by all the people around here that Ted Kaczinsky's pad in Lincoln, Montana looks good to me!
Fleet Owner
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 24,724
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From: Blue Hill Township
Maybe all you need is a nice long vacation. I know it helps me when I get fed up with humanoids. Or just a cabin to go to for extended periods of time when you need to just kick back and relax.
Posting Guru
Joined: Feb 2002
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This is my dream also. If I could afford it I would by up at least 40 acres around my house. The house would sit right in the middle with a nice yard and the rest would just be planted fields and a fence all the way around. A vaccum tube from the post office, like the drive through lanes at the bank, would delivery my mail. One guy allowed in during business hours to work the fields and thats it. Maybe that MSN butterfly guy could sit at the front gate and turn away all but family and friends. That would be great...
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Baileyton, TN
When I feel like that, I go walkabout. I am still feeling like that and still wandering off - since the official walkabout has ended, I have travelled a further 9500 miles, and have just bought me a '72 Airstream, to go for longer.
I will eventually buy a chunk of land, out in the middle of nowhere, but if you want less harsh winters, you have to think people - anywhere with a nice winter has a huge population - the best place I stayed for a while was North Dakota, last winter - it was COLD, but everything is geared to that, so you don't suffer. In fact, when the sun comes out, and the air is still, but the temperature is 26º, you can go out an wander around, without a coat.. Most amazing, the sun came out one day, and was warm, the air was really still, and I was in my shirtsleeves, and not cold at all.
Parts of Colorado have milder winters, with not too hot a summer - in the western desert where elevation keeps is cooler in summer perhaps..
Theo
I will eventually buy a chunk of land, out in the middle of nowhere, but if you want less harsh winters, you have to think people - anywhere with a nice winter has a huge population - the best place I stayed for a while was North Dakota, last winter - it was COLD, but everything is geared to that, so you don't suffer. In fact, when the sun comes out, and the air is still, but the temperature is 26º, you can go out an wander around, without a coat.. Most amazing, the sun came out one day, and was warm, the air was really still, and I was in my shirtsleeves, and not cold at all.
Parts of Colorado have milder winters, with not too hot a summer - in the western desert where elevation keeps is cooler in summer perhaps..
Theo
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Joined: May 2000
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From: Chimacum
Sounds like Western Washington State! Our summers are 80's our winters are mild with maybe a bit of snow but nothing major. Where we live we are 20 mins from town but land is priced right. Plus we live next to a state forest and we are only 5 mins away from a four wheel drive park!! We have horses and dogs and live a about a 100 yrd from a lake. It's gods country that's for sure!
I wouldn't suggest going eastern WA if you don't want a harsh winter...Idaho and Montana are bad winters too....
I wouldn't suggest going eastern WA if you don't want a harsh winter...Idaho and Montana are bad winters too....
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Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2001
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From: Baileyton, TN
Snow is a really good excuse to buy the biggest, meanest, and loudest snow blower you can find. I have seen a really nice one, with a Cab... A walk behind with it's own cab, and a v twin engine.. Wow, heaven.. all I need is the excuse to buy it - there really is no call for it in Tennessee. 
Theo
Theo
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Posting Guru
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: mesa, az
Originally posted by fordzgal
Sounds like Western Washington State! Our summers are 80's
Sounds like Western Washington State! Our summers are 80's
Post Fiend
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 6,940
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From: Eastern WA
Consider E WA state, N Idaho, and maybe western MT (careful about location, some areas get pretty cold). Moderate cost of living, fairly low population (unlike areas west of the cascades, I know, I lived there), four distinct seasons, low humidity in the summer/lacking of excessive obnoxious insects. WA has no state income tax which is of benefit to me and many of my buddies. Recreation opportunities abound and unlike other places I've lived they are not over crowded with..............people. In Spokane county you can expect, on average, one real hot week (100 every day) and one cold week(0 at night or less) per year. Average temps here for today are +32/+21. BTW and hint: a bit of cool weather serves to keep some people away
Also, investigate the weather in the area you're considering, in particular the # of sunny/overcast days. There are many places where the sky is grey for what seems like weeks on end. Also, investigate the taxation in the area.
Also, investigate the weather in the area you're considering, in particular the # of sunny/overcast days. There are many places where the sky is grey for what seems like weeks on end. Also, investigate the taxation in the area.
Elder User
Joined: Oct 2003
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Get at least 20 acres- otherwise your neighbors will always do something to infringe on your solitude.
Take a look at the Missouri/Arkansas Ozarks. Land down to $500 acre, super low property taxes, no building codes needed and winters moderate.
Bad side is the ticks and there really are some hillbilly's in the area that are something to see.
Take a look at the Missouri/Arkansas Ozarks. Land down to $500 acre, super low property taxes, no building codes needed and winters moderate.
Bad side is the ticks and there really are some hillbilly's in the area that are something to see.
Senior User
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 273
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From: San Angelo, TX
Northern New Mexico is desolate so land should be cheap. Weather shouldn't be to bad either and your within a days drive to Dallas. Jeffthompson is right about Missouri/Arkansas. Cheap and has moderate weather.
Posting Guru
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: PNW
I'll second what fordzgal said, as long as you can put up with the overcast conditions. We only have two seasons here: cool and wet, and slightly warmer. Last summer was supposed to have been hot, but I thought it was rather mild having grown up where heat and humidity both push 100 regularly. No need for air conditioning here, so your electrical demands won't be high. I keep waiting for a hot summer, but one hasn't materialized in my 7 years here. Snow in the winter is pretty rare, doesn't usually amount to much when there is some and doesn't hang around for long since the winter temps are usually above freezing. And, there's plenty to do for recreation.
Theo's dream of having/needing a monster snowblower would never materialize here. I can't even justify buying a snow shovel.
Theo's dream of having/needing a monster snowblower would never materialize here. I can't even justify buying a snow shovel.
Postmaster
Joined: Apr 2001
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Originally posted by theologian
Parts of Colorado have milder winters, with not too hot a summer - in the western desert where elevation keeps is cooler in summer perhaps..
Parts of Colorado have milder winters, with not too hot a summer - in the western desert where elevation keeps is cooler in summer perhaps..
Senior User
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 419
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From: DC
Check out Home Power magazine online. They have a lot of people who are living the way you're talking about, and there are ads for land, etc.
http://www.homepower.com/
http://www.homepower.com/