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Hi I am looking to move to a place with cool summer temps (20 days or less > 90F), but the cost of living is VERY important. I am not a survivalist, but would like to start hunting and fishing to be more self sufficient. I would also like to have access to clean free or cheap water and also low cost electricity. I am wondering if I could read some examples of how some people who are creative and have been able to live inexpensively and what places might be a good fit for this kind of living. I would prefer to live in the country near a large sized city to have access to things like good medical treatment, airport, shopping, and entertainment.
I would like to buy a home for around 200k or less and keep taxes and utilities low. I need about 2000 sq. ft. of living space. I would preferably like to live in an area with minimal natural disasters, but I don't want to limit examples and it would be great to hear some real life examples.
Hi I am looking to move to a place with cool summer temps (20 days or less > 90F), but the cost of living is VERY important. I am not a survivalist, but would like to start hunting and fishing to be more self sufficient. I would also like to have access to clean free or cheap water and also low cost electricity. I am wondering if I could read some examples of how some people who are creative and have been able to live inexpensively and what places might be a good fit for this kind of living. I would prefer to live in the country near a large sized city to have access to things like good medical treatment, airport, shopping, and entertainment.
I would like to buy a home for around 200k or less and keep taxes and utilities low. I need about 2000 sq. ft. of living space. I would preferably like to live in an area with minimal natural disasters, but I don't want to limit examples and it would be great to hear some real life examples.
There are two places to save big money for a long time. You house and your car (if you REALLY need one).
First NO ONE NEEDS 2000 sq ft house! Secondly, drive a used car until the wheels fall off of it then buy another used car.
Then when you get to feeling life has been unfair to you remember this........ "We are all victims of our wants and desires but our needs are always met." So chill back and take life as it comes.
Hi I am looking to move to a place with cool summer temps (20 days or less > 90F), but the cost of living is VERY important. I am not a survivalist, but would like to start hunting and fishing to be more self sufficient. I would also like to have access to clean free or cheap water and also low cost electricity. I am wondering if I could read some examples of how some people who are creative and have been able to live inexpensively and what places might be a good fit for this kind of living. I would prefer to live in the country near a large sized city to have access to things like good medical treatment, airport, shopping, and entertainment.
I would like to buy a home for around 200k or less and keep taxes and utilities low. I need about 2000 sq. ft. of living space. I would preferably like to live in an area with minimal natural disasters, but I don't want to limit examples and it would be great to hear some real life examples.
So you want to spend $200K to live inexpensively. Hmmm.
OD
Sounds like my father's idea of inexpensive. He also wants to be near a large city. I'd just get a house and quit paying, let it go into foreclosure and you'll get to live there free a few years.
Thanks everyone, I think . Well I guess I did ask the survival area, but I was thinking maybe you all have some good ideas versus just the normal slap some solar on....I hear you on the 2000 sq. ft. home point, but it's all relative. In the minimalist debate a homeless person would be the winner, but only the one who does not have any sleeping structure. Otherwise, the size of their sleeping structure (cardboard box or sleeping bag) could be debatable also.
First off, how many people will be living in your home? Find a newer airtight home, put in the low energy lightbulbs, gas stove to cook, woodstove to help heat, used car that has good gas mileage, try to get as many errands done in one trip as possible, use coupons, buy meats that are marked down, eat losts of pasta and rice meals, try to grow your own vegetables to freeze, don't eat out, do not subscribe to the bells and whistles of cable..use netflix or hulu, just have a cellphone and no landline, lower internet package, buy clothes on clearance or yardsales or Goodwill. These are some good starters.
Thanks Tarragon! I appreciate the info. I would like to get some ideas on where to live. Maybe others can chime in also. looking to live near a big city (within 40 minutes of a 500k population or more) that also has a cooler summer climate, low property and income taxes and that has affordable homes.
Thanks Tarragon! I appreciate the info. I would like to get some ideas on where to live. Maybe others can chime in also. looking to live near a big city (within 40 minutes of a 500k population or more) that also has a cooler summer climate, low property and income taxes and that has affordable homes.
The area in the 40 mile radius south of Austin/Dripping Springs area would work for you. Fertile land (on the east side of I-35), no income tax in Texas, and many counties have no building codes. Proximity to Austin and San Antonio. Lots of organic and green markets for food and CSAs.
However, property taxes are exorbitant AND you will be hard pressed to find a 2000 sqft home with some land below $200K.
Now, as for your debate of homeless vs mansion - it is all relative but you cannot get blinded with the "0 or 100 mentality" or "black or white" thinking. You can, however, try your best to minimize the space your need and the energy you need to expend.
So, in ABSOLUTE terms - a well built 2000 sqft home wil more energy efficient than a poorly built 1000 sqft shack BUT a well built 1000 sqft home (something like straw bale for example) will always be more energy efficient than the same 2000 sqft home and hence cheaper to heat and cool etc.
OD
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. Well I guess I did ask the survival area, but I was thinking maybe you all have some good ideas versus just the normal slap some solar on....I hear you on the 2000 sq. ft. home point, but it's all relative. In the minimalist debate a homeless person would be the winner, but only the one who does not have any sleeping structure. Otherwise, the size of their sleeping structure (cardboard box or sleeping bag) could be debatable also. 
