The Self-Sufficiency Handbook. Alan Bridgewater
at options that initially seem not quite right and see if you can work around the obvious problems. The house might be in disrepair, but can you fix it? Or maybe the property is larger than you want. Can you work with the land?
Trial Period
So you want to live in the woods, or by the beach, or out in the country, and you are a bit nervous about burning your bridges. The good news is that you do not have to; in fact, it is much better to start your road to self-sufficiency with a trial period. Imagine that you own an apartment in New York City and you dream of moving to Spain and growing almonds. The prudent course of action is to rent your city property and use the cash to rent land in your dream location. This way, you will get to know the area and the people and learn about the location. You will experience the local weather patterns, talk to farmers and hear what they have to say about the land and the local markets, learn about the schools, and so on. If, at the end of the trial period, you discover that the area is not quite right for you, you can move back to the city and start again.
The Best Time to Buy
The best time to buy property is in late summer, when the owners are becoming concerned that they might not sell before winter. If you can get in with a low offer, there is a very good chance that you will get a bargain. Don’t wait too long, though, because at some point the owners will decide to wait for spring and the promise of higher prices. Have your finances in order so that you can dive right in and make a quick deal when the time is right.
Orientation
In the United States, the United Kingdom, and Europe, it’s ideal for a house and land to be backed on the north side by rising ground so that the front of the house and the best ground is on a gentle south-facing slope. For example, two small neighboring setups are both next to a ridge of land—a high road that runs from east to west. The two houses are set so that they look across the road at each other. They are both very successful enterprises, but the house on the south side of the road—the one that has the house and land on the south side of the ridge—is better placed because the back of the house, the land, and the gardens, are sheltered from the north winds and looking toward the sun. The house on the north side of the ridge is at a disadvantage because the winds roll up the hill and hit the back of the house. In fact, the house on the north side of the ridge is called “High Winds,” while the place on the south side is called “Sunny Side.” While they are, in fact, both good options, one place has it a little easier than the other.
When you start searching for land in earnest, be sure to consider its orientation. Walk over and around the land, look at the way the trees are growing (are they windswept or covered in moss?), and generally find out as much as you can about the property.
Your Water Supply
You must have water. You can use water that comes from water mains, take water from a well, build a cistern to save rainwater, or take water from a river or stream that runs across your land.
Water mains: This is an easy yet expensive option, especially if you have livestock. If you have no choice, then the best you can do is use your water carefully and try to cut costs by choosing off-grid options elsewhere.
Well water: The good news is that the existence of a well on your property suggests that it was once used. Pump the well dry and then time how long it takes to refill. This will give you some idea of quantity. It’s important to contact your local health department to have the water tested before use.
Cisterns: A cistern is simply a tank for catching and storing water, and it can be a good option if you live in an area of heavy rainfall. If you are using existing plumbing on your property, you can cut the cost of your water bill by using collected rainwater to replace some of your regular water usage.
Can a Backyard Be a Perfect Plot?
Yes! You can put even a small yard to productive use. Look at your plot and start by drawing up a detailed year-round plan. What will you plant? Where and when will you plant it? By being well organized, you can make sure that you are putting every corner of the property to good use. While you won’t have room for a cow, you might be able to keep a goat, half a dozen hens, and maybe even a beehive or two. Consider selling produce, such as organic eggs, honey, and goat cheese.
Property Access
It’s ideal to have clear-cut legal access to your land, and the next best option is to have legal right of way from the main road to your property. My advice here is to make sure right from the start that your legal rights are clearly detailed on your mortgage or deed. It’s best if your land is free of public paths and walkways; in any case, make sure that there are no access issues that will keep you from doing what you want on the land, such as keeping livestock. If you have any doubts about rights of way, contact the proper authorities before deciding on a particular piece of land.
Neighbors
Neighbors in the city can be a problem when they are too close or you have too many. Neighbors in the country, on the other hand, are a must. Of course, you want to be at a comfortable distance, but the time will surely come when you need their help or they need yours.
However, a difficult scenario occurs when your house and land used to be part of a larger setup to the extent that your property is encircled by more experienced folks who are always on hand to give advice. You will need help and advice, but you must also be allowed to make your own mistakes. You don’t want someone always looking over your shoulder, and you don’t want to put yourself in a position where you might feel intimidated.
Streams and rivers: You can, in many instances, use water from a river or stream that runs across your land as long as you have permission from the proper authorities and have the water tested.
Friends and Family
If you are a bit low on capital, or you dream of a large setup that requires a larger workforce, consider the option of going in with friends or family—sort of like starting your own mini-commune. Of course, much depends on your own situation and circumstances, but let’s consider an example: you are part of an average couple and are short on funds, and your parents or your partner’s parents would like to contribute to the costs for a share of the land and responsibilities.
This is a very common scenario, and while it is not right for everyone, there are many advantages. Older people generally have more life experience, more money, more free time, and so on. In addition, many tasks are much easier if there are more than two pairs of hands.
Going in with friends can be more complicated. Experience tells me that it is always best to start such an arrangement by building in an escape route so that dissatisfied members of the group can pull out. It is best to draw up a legal agreement with the help of a lawyer.
Here are some more considerations:
• You might need your family’s or friends’ help with money, but can you work and live together?
• When going in with family or friends, you will all have to make compromises and you will all need to have your own areas of responsibility. At the same time, the group should designate someone as a leader and agree on the terms of his or her leadership.
• Look for a property with plenty of living space so that everyone can have privacy when they need it. One example is to find land with multiple houses so that each couple or family can have a separate house.
• When drawing up your initial agreement,