• Retro_unlimited@lemmy.world
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    19
    ·
    23 hours ago

    I have never paid rent or utilities or electricity.

    Currently live off grid on land I own using solar power. We have all electric appliances. Generator uses propane but only use it 1-2 times a year so it’s rare to refill the tank.

    The dump is only a few dollar when we take our trash (under $10) every few months.

    Self host on a NAS, have home assistant that helps a ton with power monitoring and control.

    My goal in a few years is to provide almost all my needs from my own land. Food, water, shelter, power, etc.

      • Retro_unlimited@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        1
        ·
        50 minutes ago

        There are a few counties around the US that have zoning laws that let you live in an RV or build alternative houses such as adobe, earth bags, shipping container homes, earth ships, or even shed to homes.

        I did tons of research and picked a county. Then I drove around and talked with realtors until I found the right one that understood what I plan To do. this guy was awesome and directly took my to my dream land. It was 6 times more land than I expected to buy, and the price was amazing. We bought it immediately.

        After buying the land, I bought a $3,000 RV (needed a ton of work) but it’s home until I build my adobe home. Spent the last year collecting supplies for the house, even found 5 new windows for just over $100. Always looking for deals. Also found solar panels super cheap $45 each for 250W panels. Bought a ton of those for the house later.

        It takes a lot of determination to push yourself to go outside and work for yourself, but also a way to have an income in the middle of nowhere. We do ok. But I know things will only get better as we settle more here.

      • bstix@feddit.dk
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        6
        ·
        5 hours ago

        Land can be bought everywhere in all price ranges. The real hurdle is whether you can legally live there or what requirements there are, due to zoning and building codes.

        I think the easiest way to get a self sustaining home with as little legal issues as possible is to buy an already legal home with the grid connection, but then just don’t use it.

        If I were young and single again, I would look into auctions of derelict farms. Tear down the old building and instead build a small totally legal connected up to code cabin with water, waste and electricity connection. Then use the rest of land to do whatever actually interest me, while complying to the bare minimum of legal requirements for that land.