23 thoughts on “Off The Grid Queries – ask anything”
Guessing that these two bought their land.
It’s generational because there is no more getting crown land and everything else is unaffordable. One generation gets it and the next gets to pay for it….
Yes. We did. Bought in the 70’s during the back-to-the-land movement but weren’t inclined then to actually go back. Re-discovered it at 50 and was blown away at our good fortune. It was like a lottery win. But properties OTG have fallen like common sense and so there are tons of good places for sale quite cheap. No window has been closed.
It is next to impossible to buy crown land. And there is no need to anyway. There is plenty of land for sale and only half of it is listed. Or maybe it is listed but not by a realtor doing anything. Ed Hanje is likely the best – he works the coast, has a plane, does a good job and knows what’s what. But even Ed doesn’t know the area around me as well as I do and I know of several pieces not listed. And that kind of local knowledge is relevant everywhere. If it is not half, then 30% of land for sale is NOT listed.
“So, what should I do?” Firstly, figure out what area you want to be in….by say, a few miles or even more. Then look at the listings for that area. But, after that, you really MUST visit the area before even bothering to look at a property. “Why?” Well, some places face North. That may be good if you like shadows but most people want south-facing so that they can grow a garden and not get suicidal. Fresh water is not always easily accessed. You can collect rain water (we have plenty) but that is a ‘system’ to be installed and factored in. And so it goes.
Don’t let your budget influence your effort as much as it would in the city. Deals can be made. 160 acres can be shared. The way people think of real estate in the city is not the way people think of it in the country. I could spend $100K on a half acre lot or get 40 acres of land….or more……it is just NOT the way it is down here in the city.
Honestly? There is much to choose from. “Why?” Because the back-to-the-landers don’t need 160 acres anymore. Because some country mice are being lured to the city. Because young people are NOT buying rural. And on and on.
We contacted Ed H during our search. Never met the guy. He simply sent us out to various properties we asked to see and paid the large water taxi costs ourselves. Try lanquest or a local island realtor. PS we are on an island neighbouring David’s island. Just read his book and LOVED it… all sounded sooooo familiar since we are also boat access and OTG! Dave, will be contacting you soon, if I may?
Also, David is correct: lots of cheap land for sale. Pick a possible area and go there. If there are listings, arrange to see them, but be sure to travel around and look. Ask the locals who’s maybe selling, too. We looked for three years and it was all part of the journey. I wrote about it in the old Cottage Magazine a few years back.
Yes, we do. But the more remote you are, the less your taxes are because you basically get very little. Ours are about $500-600 a year. But there are no amenities, of course.
Hey David it’s me.. just south of you… for the big reno we are looking to add a solar hot water panel . Our friends here have made theirs but we are looking for an local source to buy it ready made. ( all the wee bits cost alot And it would require a lot of soldering as well). we would like to at least to price it for comparison..
Do you have one or know of anyone on the big island that sells them?
Our “guy” at wee go solar just does the normAl solar panels…..
Hope all is well.. I will get back to writing when I get walls and a roof back… 😉
No. Not really. A lot of us have such devices but they are ‘cobbled’ units using black tubing and sometimes housed in boxes with a valve or whatever. I looked at the ‘retail units’ but the cobble-style seems to work pretty well. Good enough anyway. Run a bunch of vertical tubes in a box covered in glass and away you go. I have one slated for the greenhouse (winter).
I co-host a show called Off The Grid Radio. Would you be willing to talk to us for 20 minutes about your book “Our Life Off The Grid”? You can email me at the email address tied to this message or call 815-259-0122. Our reach is pretty big. I can send details.
We have two freezers. Both small….under eight cubic feet each. One propane, the other electric. Usually we employ them both from May to October and just the propane one during the less sunshiny months. This allows us to go over two months without a town day and still have a varied and delicious menu. Basically, we are spoiled rotten.
Thanks for your ongoing list of recommended tools and supplies! Are you strictly on a rainwater tank or do you have a well also (you mentioned a pump). If so, did you build a well house did you pour a concrete foundation–wondering if we need to (in the same climate as you, but total greenhorns).
We have a strong stream a mile away but still on our property. We also have elevation. We put a pipe in the steam at the 110 ft level, ran the pipe all the way and we fill our cisterns (2000 gallons) at the 75′ level….thus – gravity feed to the cisterns. But the house is at the same elevation so the cistern feed is boosted by a pump to provide the pressure needed for the on-demand Bosche water heater.
Rain collection works but make it all higher than your highest taps. Gravity works best.
Guessing that these two bought their land.
It’s generational because there is no more getting crown land and everything else is unaffordable. One generation gets it and the next gets to pay for it….
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Yes. We did. Bought in the 70’s during the back-to-the-land movement but weren’t inclined then to actually go back. Re-discovered it at 50 and was blown away at our good fortune. It was like a lottery win. But properties OTG have fallen like common sense and so there are tons of good places for sale quite cheap. No window has been closed.
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where is a good place to find PRICES on crown land?
I cant believe the whole of bc or Van isle for that matter can be all bought up?
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It is next to impossible to buy crown land. And there is no need to anyway. There is plenty of land for sale and only half of it is listed. Or maybe it is listed but not by a realtor doing anything. Ed Hanje is likely the best – he works the coast, has a plane, does a good job and knows what’s what. But even Ed doesn’t know the area around me as well as I do and I know of several pieces not listed. And that kind of local knowledge is relevant everywhere. If it is not half, then 30% of land for sale is NOT listed.
“So, what should I do?” Firstly, figure out what area you want to be in….by say, a few miles or even more. Then look at the listings for that area. But, after that, you really MUST visit the area before even bothering to look at a property. “Why?” Well, some places face North. That may be good if you like shadows but most people want south-facing so that they can grow a garden and not get suicidal. Fresh water is not always easily accessed. You can collect rain water (we have plenty) but that is a ‘system’ to be installed and factored in. And so it goes.
Don’t let your budget influence your effort as much as it would in the city. Deals can be made. 160 acres can be shared. The way people think of real estate in the city is not the way people think of it in the country. I could spend $100K on a half acre lot or get 40 acres of land….or more……it is just NOT the way it is down here in the city.
Honestly? There is much to choose from. “Why?” Because the back-to-the-landers don’t need 160 acres anymore. Because some country mice are being lured to the city. Because young people are NOT buying rural. And on and on.
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Ed Handja is the best! Really knows his BC property! Helped us buy a gem recently…
http://www.bcoceanfront.com/
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We contacted Ed H during our search. Never met the guy. He simply sent us out to various properties we asked to see and paid the large water taxi costs ourselves. Try lanquest or a local island realtor. PS we are on an island neighbouring David’s island. Just read his book and LOVED it… all sounded sooooo familiar since we are also boat access and OTG! Dave, will be contacting you soon, if I may?
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That’s land quest… one word.
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Also, David is correct: lots of cheap land for sale. Pick a possible area and go there. If there are listings, arrange to see them, but be sure to travel around and look. Ask the locals who’s maybe selling, too. We looked for three years and it was all part of the journey. I wrote about it in the old Cottage Magazine a few years back.
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Of course. Look forward to meeting you.
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I would like to purchase several autographed copies of your book. Is this possible?
I love your blog and your rants. Keep up the good work.
Cheers,
RW
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Of course, RW. I’ll contact you.
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With having bought your land, living off-grid, do you still have to pay property taxes or other fees?
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Yes, we do. But the more remote you are, the less your taxes are because you basically get very little. Ours are about $500-600 a year. But there are no amenities, of course.
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Hey David it’s me.. just south of you… for the big reno we are looking to add a solar hot water panel . Our friends here have made theirs but we are looking for an local source to buy it ready made. ( all the wee bits cost alot And it would require a lot of soldering as well). we would like to at least to price it for comparison..
Do you have one or know of anyone on the big island that sells them?
Our “guy” at wee go solar just does the normAl solar panels…..
Hope all is well.. I will get back to writing when I get walls and a roof back… 😉
LikeLike
No. Not really. A lot of us have such devices but they are ‘cobbled’ units using black tubing and sometimes housed in boxes with a valve or whatever. I looked at the ‘retail units’ but the cobble-style seems to work pretty well. Good enough anyway. Run a bunch of vertical tubes in a box covered in glass and away you go. I have one slated for the greenhouse (winter).
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Hi, David,
I co-host a show called Off The Grid Radio. Would you be willing to talk to us for 20 minutes about your book “Our Life Off The Grid”? You can email me at the email address tied to this message or call 815-259-0122. Our reach is pretty big. I can send details.
Thanks!
Michael
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Mike and I spoke. The interview is on his radio podcast. Mike Faust. Chicago radio. Off the grid.
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Dave, how do you cool/freeze foodstuffs?
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We have two freezers. Both small….under eight cubic feet each. One propane, the other electric. Usually we employ them both from May to October and just the propane one during the less sunshiny months. This allows us to go over two months without a town day and still have a varied and delicious menu. Basically, we are spoiled rotten.
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Aha. That makes sense.
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Thanks for your ongoing list of recommended tools and supplies! Are you strictly on a rainwater tank or do you have a well also (you mentioned a pump). If so, did you build a well house did you pour a concrete foundation–wondering if we need to (in the same climate as you, but total greenhorns).
LikeLike
We have a strong stream a mile away but still on our property. We also have elevation. We put a pipe in the steam at the 110 ft level, ran the pipe all the way and we fill our cisterns (2000 gallons) at the 75′ level….thus – gravity feed to the cisterns. But the house is at the same elevation so the cistern feed is boosted by a pump to provide the pressure needed for the on-demand Bosche water heater.
Rain collection works but make it all higher than your highest taps. Gravity works best.
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Thank you!
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