Quitting the Rat Race
By Victoria Ries
You've made the final decision to quit the rat race--get away from the hubbub of city life, and leave your boss behind. What next? Where do you go from here? You know you want to live on your own land, but where? What should you look for?
It's all too easy to get caught up in the excitement, and sign a contract for a parcel of land that isn't suitable for your needs. There are many important contributory factors to consider whilst choosing land.
SOIL COMPOSITION: Take a look at the soil, squat down and grab a handful. Does it run through your fingers? Does it crumble or stick together in a lump? If you are to sustain your family's nutritional needs with organic produce from your own garden, then please go to the link--you'll leave informed! You shouldn't buy land with clay soil, it won't support an abundant healthy garden, without many additions of organic matter.
100 YEAR FLOOD PLAIN: Make sure your, "ideal" parcel of land isn't located on a hundred-year-flood-plain--unless you own a houseboat.....
GUARANTEED ACCESS: Talk to the realtor to ensure you have guaranteed access. It's not amusing when you discover that your dream home-site is legally accessible only by helicopter! Check for seasonal access too--that road you've used all summer, can become a raging river during spring thaw. Don't be afraid to ask questions--you will be living there, and have a right to know. Local residents of the community are a good source of information, and would, I'm sure, be only too happy to tell you the negative aspects of the area.
POWER SOURCE: Make sure you ask the realtor about availability, if any, of electricity. How far away is the nearest power line? How much, per foot, does it cost to purchase an extension? In my area, a line extension costs around $3.00 per foot, with a $1,500.00 deduction for each meter installed on the property. If you are to be using a generator for your power supply, then this cost won't affect you, although your expenditure of gas or diesel fuel will fluctuate with usage. Oil lamps are a good source of light after dusk, and are inexpensive to purchase. Lamp oil, on the other hand, can be pricey. I found that jet fuel, purchased at my local municipal airport at a fraction of the cost, was economical and lasted longer.
SEPTIC SYSTEM OR OUTHOUSE? Septic systems can be expensive, approximately $5,000.00 and includes permit, perc test and installation. If you foresee a financial burden with this expenditure, please ask about the legalities of building an outhouse. Some counties have outlawed this simple, time-honored method of waste disposal, therefore please find out in advance, your options on this aspect. It'll make you want to go and build your own! Tip--Empty #10 coffee cans with plastic lids, make excellent, waterproof toilet paper storage canisters.
TO DRILL OR NOT TO DRILL: Water--aahhhh, that important resource we can't live without. It's simple to find out if a well is a possibility for your land. Just call your local drilling outfit, give them your exact location and they'll give you a free estimate. There are dry areas of the country where a well isn't an option. Then there's the financial aspect--I was given estimates by three drilling outfits--all quoted $25,000.00 including the pressure tank. I opted for hauling water! If you go that route, there are several ways you could ensure your year-round water supply. Firstly look around for local area private wells. Track down the owner and ask if you can draw from their well--usually, the owners don't mind. Another option would be to draw water from RV Parks or filling stations. I bought a five hundred gallon storage tank and set it on my truck bed. Then I purchased a limited partnership in a private well, two miles away. Please check your vehicle's pulling capabilities--water, weighing eight pounds per gallon, is heavy--multiply that by three hundred gallons or more, and you're hauling a heavy load! Keep safety in mind.
When you finally come to an informed decision on the ideal property that'll serve your needs, take time-out on your first night there. Gaze up into the cloudless sky and watch the trillions of stars twinkling on a perfect backdrop--something one doesn't see in the city--you'll know you've made the right decision.
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