Here we go!!

[RocketMan]

Hello All! After reading many of the threads here I finally decided to sign up. Lot's of good info and advice. I'll need lot's of it, and could probably use some reassurance right now. My story;
I'm 43 years old, divorced for 9 years now, did 20 years in the U.S. Air Force, now working quality assurance inspecting parts for the Space Shuttle at different suppliers. So I've basically been traveling for 23 years of my life, and figured it's time to have a place of my own.
Finally! I signed the papers the end of May on 10 acres in Southeastern Ohio, way down in the holler, about 8 miles from the nearest town, but my closest neighbor is about 300 yards away. The property is about 2/3 field and the rest is wooded, has a small 1000sq ft home, good sized shed, 3 stall horse barn, creek running down the middle, all fenced in, and a small huntin cabin just at the edge of the woods, oh yeah...and an outhouse. It has an LP tank with a small (mobile home size) furnace and a room heater that I would like to replace with a wood stove.
Right now I am living in Michigan for work and plan on losing this job when they retire the Space Shuttle in 2010. My 18 year old daughter moved in with me the day before I signed for the homestead, so even though I'm making pretty good money, it's all going out now with apartment rent, homestead mortgage, car for my daughter, and surviving right now. The homestead needs work (plumbing, roof shingles, etc). The fields are overgrown, but I did find a 1970's vintage Simplicity garden tractor for cheap, bought a chainsaw, and fixed up a few things.
I see so many possibilities with it and have so many ideas and dreams that I'm getting kind of overwhelmed now. With all the things that need fixed and me living 300 miles away, the thought of living on about half the money I'm making now, making sure my daughter gets started in college, learning all I can on homesteading/simple living, and trying to become debt free in two years, I'm both excited and scared to death! I don't plan on being totally off-grid, but as some have said on here, I want to know I can survive on my own. I look at it this way...instead of saying "geez I wish I could win the lottery," I'm now saying "how can I live on half of what I'm making now (or less) and still be comfortable?" I'm getting really nervous now and second guessing myself, so I need some of you to reassure me that it will be worth it. Deep down I know it will. Looking forward to learning much more here!

[bee_pipes]

No sweat bud! Just don't plan on bringing some of the trappings of civilization with you, like cable TV and such - you'll be surprised at how cheap it is to get by and how comfortable you can be. Going to be a bit of a culture shock - with all the traveling, I assume you have spent a lot of time in hotels. That's not even real living - more like an overdose on disposable living. If you start with nothing (off grid) and build up to what you need to be comfortable, you'll appreciate it all the more. See if there's a local library in the nearby town - cheapest entertainment out there. Going to be an adjustment, but you're going to be a different person after a year out there. After a year you'll have a garden set, know where you can buy from local farmers, and prolly have chickens running around the place giving you eggs and meat.

Regards,
Pat

[RocketMan]

Thanks bee pipes. Those are some of the plans I've been kicking around...good size garden, chickens, maybe a cow or pig for meat along with wild game. As far as hotels, I always said as long as it has a bed and running water, I don't care what hotel it is. There won't be any cable tv, just enough to hear the news and weather. I'd like to use oil lamps and candles as much as possible to keep from giving my money to the electric company, but I'll probably have to pay a pretty penny to get that LP tank filled. What do you think of the idea to use wood heat and have the small lp furnace for back-up? Should I go with LP stove/refridgerator or electric? I want to be able to function when the power goes out. I still need those things before I can move in, but I have found some cheap used ones in the local papers.

[RocketMan]

I should add that I'm originally from that area of Ohio, grew up pretty poor, and spent the summers as a kid on my sisters pig farm. I have always been drawn to the country and that feeling is getting stronger every day. I feel like I have "been there, done that," have seen what it's like to make pretty good money, but found that it still doesn't buy happiness. Happiness was spending the weekend at the homestead, sitting around a fire, and it was so quiet you could hear the dew dropping on the leaves. That's what I want!

[bee_pipes]

...just enough to hear the news and weather...
... oil lamps and candles...
...get that LP tank filled...
...wood heat and have the small lp furnace for back-up...
...function when the power goes out...


All good considerations. There's solar, water, and wind for generating electricity, new LEDs that can produce amazing amounts of light. Wood is a good idea for heat and cooking. We have wood heat with a furnace for backup - works well for us, but our winters are much milder than yours. We are working at breaking off with our power company, but it's going to take us a while. We live in a hollow and radio reception is not very good. We do have TV (satellite). There's a fellow here that goes by 12Vman who has been living off-grid for some time now - he'd be a good guy to talk to about that sort of stuff.

Good thing you grew up poor - you know how little it takes to be comfortable and happy. Sounds like you still have your head straight and didn't forget just because life got prosperous.

Don't forget to check out the magazine too - lots of good information available on-line.

Regards,
Pat

[TNDadx4]

Hey RocketMan, Welcome!

It looks like you have your priorities in line. As BeePipes said, as long as you can do without a lot of the trappings (funny that they are called that) of "normal civilization", you'll be just fine. It sounds like you are more than ready for that.

One thing that you did not mention, though... is your daughter similarly minded? Is she going to like the lifestyle and what is she going to do for school and/or career in the area that you are moving to?

I applaud your efforts in moving towards your goals and dreams. Change is always scary, but keep the faith that what you are doing is best for you and your family.

[RocketMan]

"...is your daughter similarly minded?"

She is, but I don't know if she will be following me there. She wants to travel and loves the ocean, so she talks a lot about the East Coast. She wants to get a 2 year degree in graphic design, but we're not sure what the plans are after she graduates.
As for me, I'll still have to work somewhere to make a few bucks, but I like some of the homestead money-making ideas. That area of Ohio is big on tourism, but I guess with fuel prices and all, that could thin out too. I liked the idea of the birdhouses made out of free wood pallets (can't remember if that was on BWH or not).

RE: Just added some pics in the Homestead pictures thread.

[johnjmw]

S.E. Ohio? Great area! I have some land down there too. No house yet, but once the stock market rebounds I'll be able to consider building. That is if costs don't spiral to bad. Love the rolling hills.

Solar hot water can be a great way to heat as long as you have the sun exposure. Home built systems seem to be very cost effective if done right. Wood heat is a great way to go. Thats the way I'm planning to go. Solar hot water, Fire place, then an LP or natural gas backup.
Enjoy the process of planning,
John

[sweethearts_mom]

Way to go. It sounds like an amazing place. I love OH. I am in TX though. Love it here as well.

[B00kW0rm]

Hi & welcome to the forum!