Remote Desert Hideaway around JT Park? (Los Angeles, Lancaster: for sale, real estate market, squatters)

[mausketeer]

Hi there..... I am in the "daydreaming" stage of looking for somewhere to build a little vacation home (to become a retirement home later on) and I fell in love with the area around Joshua Tree park when I was there (yes, I KNOW how hot it gets in the summer - although I think the low desert doesn't get as hot as Palm Springs? - in either case, I LOVE the heat and don't think it would be a problem). I have only done some initial internet research so far, and it LOOKS like I can find a nice sized piece of land around Joshua Tree, Twentynine Palms (and further east, I think they were calling it Wonder Valley?) etc. for a good price.

My question is the OPPOSITE of what most people ask on here - I am looking for REMOTE. I'd like to be "off the grid" if possible. The LAST thing I want would be to build my little dream home and then have a subdivision spring up beside me in ten years, you know? Investment potential as far as buying somewhere that will go up in value is not a prime importance.

So my questions are:
A) Do you think the area around Joshua Tree and Twentynine Palms is building up to a point that it may be very developed in the next few years? (the land I saw were small parcels from about 1 acre to 5 acres. The problem I saw with these properties was that these were VERY large tracts of land that had been "subdivided" already into these lots and they were zoned to be divided even more if they were bought by a developer so there would be the potential to have many many more neighbours around even though there is nobody there right now).

B) If I DID find a place that was rather remote, should I be worried about leaving it vacant a lot of the time? (couldn't come down more often than every few months). Is vandalism and squatters a problem around there?

Does anyone know anybody living out in the desert "off the grid"? I am open-minded about other areas but wanted to be about an hour from "civilization" no matter where it is and I liked Palm Springs so this is the area that appealed to me......

Thanks!

[humboldtrat]

Have you checked out the area around the Salton Sea, such as Bombay Beach or Niland? You don't have to worry about subdivisions poping up around this area.

And what do you mean "off the grid"? No utilities such as electricity. Don't you want to at least live near a grocery store or some other basic amenities?

[greatbasinguide]

I do not know what is available in the area you speak of, but, a few things to consider. Solar and Wind are both viable. My home was solar for years. If your home is isolated, expect it to be visited and perhaps vandalized. That is just the way it goes. You really need someone on site to watch it. You might build two homes, one for a caretaker.

Our home is isolated, we never lock the doors, on the premise that if someone wants our stuff they are welcome to it, much better than breaking down the house at their leisure to get in.

Water is the single greatest consideration. You want enough water to provide for your use, your garden and to keep shade trees growing. Some desert water has unwelcome minerals, have it tested, before you buy.

Also, if you are isolated, you are not going to be helped by the Sheriff quickly. Are you prepared to defend yourself and your family?

I have also noticed that the overwhelming majority of folks on this board are urban/suburban. They may not relate to your desire for isolated rural. Your idea is great, also, get a horse and pack mule or a couple of pack llamas o you can disappear everyonce in a while into the desert.

Recently our daughter was followed from town on isolated dirt road leading to our home, by a pickup truck. That truck came to our gate in the middle of the night. Alerted by our dogs (another necessity) we lit the floodlights, they turned around.

That said, you are safer in the desert than in a town I think. Just remember that self reliance must be your watch word.

Also, the Schwan man delivers anywhere as does UPS, They can save you many a trip to town.

Also, it appears that most of the people on this forum are urban/suburban, they may not understand your reasons, but I think you have a great idea, but consider Nevada. Much nicer than SoCal, and much emptier, which makes it nicer.

Think about this;Mountain Water Ranch - Nevada Land For Sale

[mausketeer]

Thanks for the info/advice...... I guess I stressed remote more than I should have..... it's more about wanting my own little private parcel of land without worrying about someone moving in BESIDE me in the next few years (and blasting Led Zeppelin at 9 o'clock in the morning). I'd want to be about an hour away from anything resembling a city. I guess a small town would be okay as long as the parcels of land preclude subdividing, you know?

Yeah, "off the grid" means not connected to any services (water, electricity, sewage etc.) The electricity part would be easy but I had wondered about the water issue...... I'm pretty sure there isn't enough rain there to capture it for grey-water use.....

I have found a solution for the vacant/vandalism problem however without resorting to a caretaker (I only have a small budget for this daydream you know): shipping containers! Reseaching green/alternative housing (I'd like a VERY small place - from about 400 to 600 square feet at the most, and as environmentally conscious as possible) I see that there are lots of architects and designers converting old shipping containers into homes - some of them even set up as "off the grid" from the get-go. If you leave the doors on them you can lock it up tight as a drum when you're not there!

I'd love to talk to anyone that has "dropped out" in the desert like this...... it must be a popular fantasy, no? Or is everyone fantasizing about moving to where I live NOW? (Vancouver, BC)

[ranchoparque]

Mausketer,

There is an area in North Los Angeles County near Saddleback Butte State Park called "Hi Vista" which is about 15 miles east of Lancaster /Palmdale. There is a lot of empty space, just sand and joshua trees. I've camped in the area and visit from time to time.
I've also often thought of finding a desert retreat. My grandfather lived in the Palm Springs area in the 1960's .
That's interesting about the shipping containers. Do you know if they can be adapted to desert living?

[greatbasinguide]

Shipping Containers? Convince me! There is nothing uglier than a shipping container, and nothing hotter inside on a hot day. A plasma cutter or a cutting torch will get into one in a couple of minutes.

Once it has vents or windows it can be gotten into.

Your off grid water will be a well, unless you can convince the county a water truck can come out and supply you. Make sure you have drinkable water below you.

Remember you will need a building permit, anything that is not UBC gives building departments the heebie Jeebies.

What you plan is great, just remember it will take more work and twice as much money as you have budgeted.
You might like these guys, deltechomes.com

[GoodbyeCalifornia]

Just like you, many people have "discovered" the area around Joshua Tree and have been snapping up property because it's relatively plentiful and cheap, compared to other places. The real estate market being what it is, I don't know that the area will develop quite as much as fast, but eventually it will.

Remote cuts two ways. Living off the grid is a great concept. You would certainly be able to take advantage of solar and wind energy. Water...hard to say. Definitely a well would be what you would have to go with. I'm not sure, but you might have to go pretty deep to find it. At the same time, you would be isolated from emergency services should you need them. And personally, I would be worried about theft or more importantly, squatters taking up residence in your place if you leave it alone for an extended period of time. People trying to get away from it all aren't the only ones attracted to the wide open spaces of the desert. Such areas are quite popular with meth producers.

Joshua Tree area is High Desert, so it doesn't get as hot as the Palm Springs area but it does get hot. And it will be cold in the winter, probably in the 30's or somewhat lower at night. Also, unlike one poster suggested, I don't think the Salton Sea will give you what you're looking for. There are new housing developments going in down there. The other thing...the stench. When you get those algae blooms and the resulting fish die offs, the whole valley smells of it for days on end.

I'm not trying to rain on your parade. Like others have said, I think it's a great idea. But there may be other places, even outside of California, that would make your dream easier to become a reality.

[luke the drifter]

Mausketer, what ever came of this daydream? Sounds like we have the same one!

[Screenial]

Plenty of vacation cabins in the area and living off the grid here in Joshua Tree. The water tank trucks will deliver pretty far. Most of these cabins are built for lock up when they leave, otherwise, yes you may get some vandalism. Johnson Valley and Flamingo Heights is also a good remote area not far from Joshua Tree. The Pioneer Town Area is also beautiful.