UK and around the world

[flatwater]

I have noticed a lot of people from the UK and other points around the world. I would like to know two things from you all #1 what makes it easy for you to do your homesteading thing where your at #2 What is a road block for you to accomplish your homesteading dream.
Flatwater

[lateaprildawn]

Hi flatwater,

I am answering your question from the position of being an inner city "prepper".

Tradition and history are my greatest allies.
My parents were children during ww2 experiencing rationing, food shortages, growing their own vegetables ( Dig for victory etc) and good old fashioned yorkshire thrift. As a result i was brought up with similar "values" (not sure thats the right word). I was out of step with a lot of my friends and neighbours in the 1980s as most of my peers counted success in possessions, the extra cars, holidays abroad etc.

In the late 1990's green issues and the environment became popular. (funny that people couldnt bring themselves to say they were broke, or living beyond their means they had to create a "new" idea, it became the fashionable thing to grow your own vegetables and recyle more.

One thing that I find quite difficult is that with food prices rising rapidly here, a lot of prices have risen rapidly due to "fashion". I used to pick up canning jars at thrift stores. They just arent there anymore, but lots of companies are starting to sell them (at quite high prices to cash in on the current fashion).

Packets of seeds have increased in price as well. I hope i am a few steps ahead by growing heirloom varieties to keep my own seeds.

I think i do have a bit of an advantage as never having any throw away cash I am used to starting from scratch, I take the time to ask and learn and dont expect to get anything "immediately"

A lot of the time people here think the "government" ought to do something about "their" problems and simply sit there and wait for it to happen. I dont , and so when i see potential problems I try to plan ahead and often prevent myself a lot of grief.

People ask "where can i buy that" I think "how can i make that"

My "old fashioned " upbringing of take care of yourself , is a massive advantage, and may i add something I enjoy too.

I would love to have just a few acres and a house a little away from the cities, not having the cash yet is the only barrier, and i am working on that one. ;D ;D ;D ;D

Best wishes,
April

[stew]

Hi Flat,
its impossible for us to do the 'Homestead' bit here. Rural land is very expensive, weather is miserable. Some around us have allotments, but they are too far from home to be secure, and the latest thing now is that they are getting raided, so all that hard work for some lazy thieving magpie. No thanks.
For us, the roadblock is being part of Europe, and the possible scenarios that throws up. That is why we are making steps to leave for Mexico, we have a perfect set up there, and are allowed to build a wall & defend it. The rates are so cheap, the sun shines all the time, and nobody understands a word I say, so nothing new there! ;D

Adios mis amigos!
Stew

[jim]

I'd be very careful about anything in Mexico. Some of the most dishonest government in the world there! They make ours look like pikers. Well... except for the Texas executive branch. ::)

jim

[flatwater]

Stew and April isn't there any homesteading friendly countrys around ? It seems like mexico is a little far to go.
Flatwater

[Jeff]

Mexico is a good place to go. Away from the big cities in the rural areas there is a lot of freedom and land is pretty cheap. It is important to get in good with the locals though, for advice and information.

[stew]

I'd be very careful about anything in Mexico. Some of the most dishonest government in the world there!

jim
Never had any problem there, corrupt is, corrupt is, corrupt, they're all the same, just different branches of the Illumin_ti.
I prefer my chances there over the UK.

Stew

[stew]

Stew and April isn't there any homesteading friendly countrys around ? It seems like mexico is a little far to go.
Flatwater

It's only 12 hours away for me!
And i'm NOT interested in France, Spain, Greece etc.
Europe stinks. Never been anything but trouble, and now we are part of it! ??? ::)
Most English can't see the writing on the wall.

stew

[stew]

Mexico is a good place to go. *Away from the big cities in the rural areas there is a lot of freedom and land is pretty cheap. *It is important to get in good with the locals though, for advice and information. *
I agree, but unfortunately it helps if you are not from the USA, they usually assume I am American, and definitely treat me differently when they realise I am English.
Of course, marrying one is a definite help. My wifes family have farmed the same land for at least 150 years. So the locals know her & have some respect.
But I have to say, believe nothing thay tell you!
The men re-invent themselves almost minute by minute.


Stew

[Jeff]

Stew,

I think you have a good idea there. I think it would be great to have several acres with a creek, some cattle and some corn growing, etc. In Morelos they can harvest their corn twice a year. Great dirt and excellent climate.

I really think a guy could do well in Mexico. It's good to be careful though. Kidnapping goes on even in small cities. I've heard of regular Mexicans who don't have that much money getting kidnapped. So a guy doesn't want to look too well-to-do. Also if a guy starts a business and competes with existing businesses it can make enemies.

Overall it's mostly safe though, and it sounds like you've been there and know what it is like.

One of the best things about Mexico is the food. I've eaten fruit I have never heard of before, and it's wonderful! And the meat from out in the country is organic. No chemicals and no steroids. You can really taste the difference between Mexican beef and chicken and U.S. store bought. Also most farm animals in the U.S. (from the mass production farms) eat a lot of bad stuff and have miserable lives, and I think that has big effect on the finished product. And then the way the Mexican women cook everything from scratch ....... Well, I better stop before I get hungry. I already ate enough frijolitos (and some chivo) for dinner tonight.

I do like to talk about Mexico though. Thanks for bringing up the topic.

[stew]

Stew,

I think you have a good idea there. *I think it would be great to have several acres with a creek, some cattle and some corn growing, etc. *In Morelos they can harvest their corn twice a year. *Great dirt and excellent climate. *


Very fertile, and very productive, with perfect weather!

I really think a guy could do well in Mexico. *It's good to be careful though. *Kidnapping goes on even in small cities. *I've heard of regular Mexicans who don't have that much money getting kidnapped. *So a guy doesn't want to look too well-to-do. *Also if a guy starts a business and competes with existing businesses it can make enemies.

Good points, it's one of my biggest fears. We have a pact, if one of us is kidnapped, we will not pay a ransom - most end up getting killed anyway, so just try to avoid the potential exposures.
Certainly, the indigenous people are easily upset, and I would be looking to make a beneficial impact to the local community, but we don't mix, and certainly don't let anyone know where we are.
*

Overall it's mostly safe though, and it sounds like you've been there and know what it is like.

I agree, nowhere on earth is 100% safe, and for me, Mexico ticks nearly all the boxes. Yes i've spent over a year there, travelled most of the country, and the people have been ok with me.
*

One of the best things about Mexico is the food. *I've eaten fruit I have never heard of before, and it's wonderful! *And the meat from out in the country is organic. *No chemicals and no steroids. *You can really taste the difference between Mexican beef and chicken and U.S. store bought. *Also most farm animals in the U.S. (from the mass production farms) eat a lot of bad stuff and have miserable lives, and I think that has big effect on the finished product. And then the way the Mexican women cook everything from scratch ....... *Well, I better stop before I get hungry. *I already ate enough frijolitos (and some chivo) for dinner tonight. *

I do like to talk about Mexico though. *Thanks for bringing up the topic.



One of my favourite topics of conversation too! Mexico, it's food, mountains, pulque, I love the place, & I love the people.
They women certainly are a practical bunch, I can recommend them!
If you want more info, feel free to pm me.
stew

[bookwormom]

well, it is a big jump from UK to Mexico. what about Russia? we had a houseguest from Russia ( a deacon of the Russian Orthodox church)and he confirmed what we had read. The country is basically fed by the small one hectare plots folks were allowed to have and still have. Our guest told us what all they grew and how important it was. In Bulgaria it got really bad a few years ago. I have not kept up, wonder how it is there now.
I never saw so many well kept gardens as in the Czech Republic when the Iron Curtain came down. seems every postage stamp plot was used. I still have a video of folks showing me their garden. One lady insisted on giving me some of her canned things, I remember red raspberries because I never just canned them but made them into something first. BAsically it is the same as here, there are people longing to have a plot of land, wanting to grow their own food, bake their own bread, there just is a lot less land and it costs a lot more. I noticed the abundance of fruit trees and berry hedges. I remember one spring driving down mainstreet of a village and it was a riot of apple blossoms, on both sides of the street. I also remember the portable cider press driving around and pressing people's apples. There were fruit trees in hedgerows, so much fruit. Some old country roads were lined by apple and cherry trees for miles. we would stop and help ourselves. Anybody with a little yard would have at least a few fruit trees. And they all seemed to do so well.
City people can rent a garden (if they are lucky) in a garden colony. I loved walking through one of those, looking over the fence, seeing all the different gardens. The "owners" spend their free time gardening and socializing with the other gardeners. From my experience there is a lot more gardening going on in Europe than here. But there is a lot more lawnmowing going on here.

[stew]

Well, I don't speak Russian, don't have any Russian connections, & I hate the cold. That rules out Russia for me. Another problem, any hostile army from Europe / Asia / China etc - can actually just drive there, - and visa-versa of course. If you haven't studied European history, it's worth a look. Its ok talking about fruit trees & raspberries, but hard times are coming everywhere, and it's a case of damage limitation.

I know Russians over in the UK who just would not go back, not for all the fruit trees in Russia!

It's down to your own location, and what you have to work with.
I don't speak much Spanish, but my wife & children do, so I have 3 translators, and a good reason never to be alone!

I would say Alaska would be a better option than Russia, seriously. You have to look at being somewhere where no one else is interested in being, and try to make it work. That way, no one is going to come and take it from you - it's worthless,
or there are much nicer places. A bit like the song says,
" Never make a pretty woman your wife,
and you'll be happy for the rest of your life!"

stew

[bookwormom]

sorry, I was not clear on the post.
Flat water had posted:

I have noticed a lot of people from the UK and other points around the world. I would like to know two things from you all #1 what makes it easy for you to do your homesteading thing where your at #2 What is a road block for you to accomplish your homesteading dream. :'(


I was really responding to FW questions and not presenting different options to move to. I thought it was a big jump in the topic from UK to Mexico. (Not necessarily your personal move) and decided to add to the diversity. Not all of my observation is about Russia. My point about them was that there is actually a lot of homesteading activity going on there, as well as barter.

[Katrina-Sisu]

1) I don't have an active homestead yet but I'm learning. I do try to live the homesteading lifestyle though.

2) The worst thing here must be taxes and red tape. It's an uphill battle to have livestock and unless you're a professional farmer, you don't get squat for all the hard work you do.