New to Wi. care to share info/advice? (Rice Lake, Ladysmith: house, prices) - Page 2 - City-Data Forum

KateDaum · 09-30-2009, 08:37 AM

We made friends with our neighbors. We lived in NH for about 3 years before we moved here. They plowed our driveway in winter and kept an eye on the property for us. When we would be coming for a visit, they would stack wood by the door or have the grass cut for us.
They are the reason we moved here 2 years ago instead of waiting the 10 years we had originally thought when we bought the property.

ImaloneJill · 10-05-2009, 07:32 PM

So, let me ask you this:

If you bought property and won't be able to build for a few years, but planned to camp on it, what would be your top three items on your priority list?

We have a pop-up camper, so #1 on my priority list is a bigger (used) camper.
My husband would be content right now to just use the pop-up and put up a shower tent/toilet with those portable outside showers they sell at Gander Mtn.
I also think we need water right away, he doesn't think we need it until we are ready to build.
Third, I want to build a garage for all our stuff.

What do you all think?

My husband says a shed is 1, then go from there.

susancruzs · 10-05-2009, 08:13 PM

I've known two people (one went to MO the other to so. Ill.) where the garage was first priority. In fact, the guy in MO has a big garage with a nice apartment in it because he isn't ready to build his house yet.

My friends in Illinois are doing the same thing (living in a pole barn) but they are working on getting their house built.

I don't know if that helps but just a different option!

dreamhunter65 · 10-05-2009, 08:57 PM

If drilled well and had heated floor in garage not need a camper. I like the idea of a apartment above garage. Be a place also when have visitors to put them up also.Or if ol man gets on your nerves kick him to the garage.Depends alot if going to use in winter as a retreat also.

Could always use a bush for a bathroom, bathe in river..

Is land have enough wood to cut firewood for a outside wood burning stove? Those outside boilers are nice and heat up a garage and eventually the house.
Then again a pellet stove be ok also as new pellet factory in Ladysmith so get pellets right near.

ImaloneJill · 10-06-2009, 07:30 AM

Thanks! It looks like we might get our chance to go up there Sun.-Tues. Keep your fingers crossed! Then, we can do some heavy thinking.
My hub says he is not opposed to the room in the garage idea. But he does think that living in a camper for a while will give you a better idea of what you want to do with the property. Setting up a garage that you can live in forces you to make some major decisions pretty quickly. (his opinion.)

The land is heavily wooded. We don't know what a pellet stove is. Also have to look into an outside boiler. Thanks.

Hntr · 10-06-2009, 08:29 AM

Something to think about or find out, around here they will not allow you to put up a shed before you build your home. They are afraid you might use it to put an outhouse in it.

Good luck on your trip this weekend Jill. Dress warmly, it's supposed to be chilly, highs in the 40 to 45 range. And don't forget your camera, sounds like you have a beautiful place up there!

ImaloneJill · 10-06-2009, 06:01 PM

Oh God, Hntr! My husband and I are like two teenagers right now, planning our lives.

I told him what you said about the shed and he said it made a lot of sense. I am sure there would be outhouses dotting the countryside.

I had also looked at a place on the Hat Rapids flowage, in Rhinelander. It was pretty there, too, and it looks like they take a lot of care not to have houses exposed and cluttering up the scenery. You gotta love Wisconsin for the way they take care of their resources.
I plan on wearing wind/waterproof clothing and boots. As soon as I can figure out how to post pics here, I will!

dreamhunter65 · 10-06-2009, 07:27 PM

Jill talking 30% chance snow Friday night. Youth hunt is Saturday - Sunday so be some orange out if up Sunday. Camper idea before garage so can see what land drains like, way sun hits area be good also. Pellet stoves are just wood burners that use wood pellets instead of firewood. Many dealers up here so research before buy for best deals.

With heavy woods want to find place where clear out the least good wood to build also and depends on how close to river want to get.

Amish get away with the outhouses.

ccjarider · 10-07-2009, 05:03 AM

Be sure to investigate local ordinances.

I had extremely nosey neighbors in Adams/Friendship area that tended to pay attention everytime I dug a friggin fencepole. I guess they had nothing better to do than worry about what I did on 100 acres.

Anyways, the town wanted to charge me for a permit to put a trailer on the place. I got around it by keeping wheels on it and told them, it was just being "stored" there.

I did build a barn as the first thing too. Yup, there is an outhouse in there

!!
If you want a barn/shed first, then just advise the town or anyone who cares that is all you plan to do. No bureaucratic, local town busybody needs to know you want to build a house until you are ready to do so.

Also, eventually got tired of generator/battery thing and did run electric in. (About $1000)
Water table is high in that area, so I dropped a 20 foot point with jet pump. It isn't the greatest water quality but it's ok for cleaning and taking a shower.

I guess the point is, you want to make it modestly comfortable for a few days of "camping" every so often. Don't underestimate basic creature comforts. You want to enjoy the place and not view going there as some sort of physical challenge.

ImaloneJill · 10-07-2009, 10:15 AM

dreamhunter, will def find some orange! Thanks for all the good advice!
cc, we also considered buying the generator as a priority. First thing I did was look into permits. It seems Rusk Co. is a bit more lenient with things than Chippewa.

I looked at a company called Economy Garages. Anyone do business with them or hear of them? They also do house shells that you finish yourself. Def. would save my husband's back.

You are so right about not underestimating certain creature comforts. I have rough camped before, and the first thing you want to do when you get back home is take a hot shower. Camping in itself makes you feel like you are never clean by being around a campfire and being outside all day.

This forum is full of wonderful people with great advice. Thanks for taking me in!

Jill