It's never too late; you're never too old.

[Phoenix2]

Although my project technically isn't "homesteading" I'd like to offer encouragement to those thinking about a "hideaway" or simply a remote vacation spot.
I started in 1998 by buying a piece of land in Northwestern Ontario, Canada. It's a remote location without power.
There were three old wooden structures on the property which were not habitable but were sound enough that most of the material could be salvaged.
I took them apart and recycled the good stuff into a 16X24 main cabin and a smaller 10X16 workshop/bunkhouse.
The only material I had to buy was some exterior sheeting, siding and the metal for the roof.
I used a portable generator to run a table saw and circular saw and two different sized chainsaws to whittle everything to size.
Naturally, we heat with wood; we can't even burn the stuff that blows down so we don't have to cut anything standing.
Access is by an old logging trail that in spring and fall sometimes requires 4WD but most of the time not.
The kicker is that when I started I was 63 years old. I'm now 74 and continue to tinker and add ammenities that my wife and I need in our dotage.
Why Canada? Land is cheap; we have 160 acres of wall to wall trees. Taxes are low since it's considered "vacant land". Insurance is low partly because some insurance companies there specialize in covering cabins such as ours.
Yes, it's a long drive (21/2 days if we dog-it) but the tranquility and abundance of lakes and wildlife ( a very healthy timber wolf population) make the drive incidental. And, of course it's a fisherman's paradise. And, we're always looking for visitors. I can't seem to get any of my relatives off the dime.
If I can do it, anyone can. Just save your pennies. Of course being a dreamer like I am doesn't hurt. P

[flatwater]

Phoenix2 , I'm with ya partner. My drive is only 3 hours but I'll be 63 when I start the new house in the backwoods. Friends question us at our age and ask why? and we say why not. And if ya can't dream stay home. God says without a vision the people parish. Thanks for the post

[pcrowder]

Phoenix: If people didn't have dreams, they'd just stagnate, because they wouldn't have any desire to have anything better. Dreaming is a GOOD thing! ;D

[pcrowder]

Besides I look at it this way:

To dream is to live.
To not dream is to merely exist.

[LeatherneckPA]

Wooo-hooo!

Taking this message to heart. Been having self doubts lately, as I am getting up there in years (lol, just turned 50 last summer). But starting my own and becoming as self-sufficient as possible is what I dream of and live for. Thanks for reminding me.

[Suzy]

what an INSPIRING post!!! (and by the way, I will be 57 in May) ;D

[MNMOM]

I hope that you inspired quite a few by your post.

Sometimes, that is the age that you get to before you can realize your dream. When you're young, there are so many thing's that you are trying to do, raising a family and everything else that includes, that you don't even realize what it is that will make you truly happy.

[Magnificent_Madame]

I just turned 56 this month and am whittling down debts. I hope to buy land in 3 years. I won't be able to do as much as I could 30 years ago - but I'll do all I can do. Thanks for the encouraging post.

[TSJ]

Thanks for for posting your message Phoenix2. I am thinking about retiring in a few years and sometimes I get down in the dumps about being to old to live in the country and build a homestead. Your message has given me hope that it is not too late.

[Phoenix2]

I'd like to thank you all for your generous comments. For those of you who are "getting up there" and may be intimidated by the imagined physical demands, remember, LEVERAGE, LEVERAGE.
Since I was alone, there were many times I had to stop and build some contraption to assist in, for example, raising and placing wall sections, or lifting and placing outside sheeting or rafters. My motto was "how can I make this easier and avoid killing myself?" Thanks again and if I can figure out how to post some pics I will.

[cameron]

Hey Phoenix2, what a timely, and inspiring, post. We have recently decided to sell my life long business and make the move to a small farm many miles from home and family and I have had my doubts now and again. I know in my heart it is the right thing to do but I can't help but worry if I am making a big mistake. Your words give me encouragement!

[madmac]

What a great story. I know many of us in the same boat. I am about to take this same adventure at 57. Thanks for sharing.

[Archangel]

Thank You for sharing it is very timly for me,
Michael

[gregabob]

I'd like to thank you all for your generous comments. For those of you who are "getting up there" and may be intimidated by the imagined physical demands, remember, LEVERAGE, LEVERAGE. *
Since I was alone, there were many times I had to stop and build some contraption to assist in, for example, raising and placing wall sections, or lifting and placing outside sheeting or rafters. *My motto was "how can I make this easier and avoid killing myself?" *Thanks again and if I can figure out how to post some pics I will. * * Who was it, Archimedes, who said: 'give me a place to stand and a lever long enough, and I'll move the Earth.' I use this idea all the time-it really helps move stuff around. Thanks again for a good inspiring post-I'm 46 and going it alone right now, still in the planning stages.

[Phoenix2]

I forgot to mention, our location is a scant 2 miles north of the 50th parallel.
North of 50 there are no building codes, inspectors, or other sources of red tape usually associated with trying to build something.
The only restriction is that you can't run raw sewage out onto the ground. We have a biffy (outhouse) and a leeching pit for the kitchen sink water. up there this is called "traditional plumbing". Kind of charming terminology, don't you think? P

[TNDadx4]

Good post. Never give up on your dreams!

I'm 40, soon to be 41 and thought that when we started preparing that I was too old. That's nonsense that people that get in a rut and get comfortable will tell you.

Never stop dreaming, living, learning or loving.

[TSJ]

I forgot to mention, our location is a scant 2 miles north of the 50th parallel.
North of 50 there are no building codes, inspectors, or other sources of red tape usually associated with trying to build something. *
The only restriction is that you can't run raw sewage out onto the ground. We have a biffy (outhouse) and a leeching pit for the kitchen sink water. up there this is called "traditional plumbing". *Kind of charming terminology, don't you think? P

I know Canada has a national health system but how does that work for a retired American on Medicare? I realize that if you get seriously sick you have to back home to the US but what if you have an accident? I often wondered about the same for retired Canadians that are Winter Texans.

[Phoenix2]

TSJ, the only way we can get medical treatment there is to go to the emergency unit of the local hospital (25 miles from the cabin). They have massive problems with shortages of doctors, etc., and no local clinic will accept us (don't get me started on socialized medicine).
However, my supplemental plan (Kaiser Permanente) covers me up there and will cover the cost of emergency treatment. I'm not sure if just straight medicare would or not.
As for the Canadians down here, I'm not sure, but I can easily find out and let you know. P

[DM]

I've spent a LOT of time in Canada... When i checked about going to the doctor there, i always was told the same thing... Pay with cash and there's no problem!

[stonecypher]

If the spirit is willing and the body's not, then I plan to hire local teens to help me with the hard work, and pay them in as much cash as I can spare, free-range eggs, and homemade chocolate-chip cookies. ::) (I'll be 62 in a month.)

[flatwater]

And the amount of cash is directionly proportional to the quickness of the visit

[Phoenix2]

DM, where in Canada do you spend your time? P

[DM]

DM, where in Canada do you spend your time? P
These days, Ontario...

And the amount of cash is directionly proportional to the quickness of the visit
I didn't find that to be true in my case, but maybe it has been for someone else??

DM

[Cathy]

Hi Phoenix2.. Neat,, I am a Canadian,, know Northern Ont... I am guessing you DO NOT *go there in the winter.. It is mighty cold up your way.. But happy to read how you are doing.. Just curious,, are you North West of Thunder Bay... You must be quite close also to the Manitoba Border.??? Pretty isolated for sure.. Have you ever seen the Northern Lights... A beauty to behold huh...

*As for the Health Care System and if we would be covered down your way,, NO<, we would not.. When I travel to the U.S.. I need to take out Ins.. like Blue Cross ... The same I would say goes for you up here,, You would need your own coverage..

[cookiehll]

Well I live in North Carolina, DH is 84 and I am 63 we live in the country and we rent but we have a life time lease so this is OUR home. We garden on a small scale but are going to increase this year. Thing here have to be thought out before I do them so as not to hurt myself, I do all the driving except around our country blocks here is our area.
I always have wanted to go it all our selves but have decided that where we live, on our small fixed income we could not afford to mover and this is HOME to us and we love it so I will make this our little piece of heaven.
May God watch over all of us and bring us the happiness He wants for us where we are.
Love and prayers for every ones dreams.
Cookie

[Phoenix2]

Sorry for the delay, I've been away.
Cathy, Correct we don't go there in the winter.
We're 25 miles north of Dryden, just south of Lac Seul; about 75 miles from the Manitoba border. Been a cold winter up there. P

[Steve_L]

You give me (age 53) hope.

Are you Canadian? I thought they didn't allow foreign people to buy land and live on it. Didn't Jackie Clay run into that problem?

How many pennies? I guess my problem is, I look for land via the web, and the land that you find on the web is overpriced.

I'm thinking I'd like some gawd-awful worthless land because taxes are cheap and I can keep my neighbors at a distance. :D I tend to piss everyone off, sooner or later. Like a desert property with no water. I have ideas about where to get water.

[TSJ]

IIRC Jackie couldn't take her livestock with her w/o going through quarantine, etc.

[Phoenix2]

Steve L, again sorry for the dalay. Anyone can buy land in Canada and when the exchange rate is in our favor (as it is now) it's a good deal. Long ago there was a 20% "land transfer tax" in Ontario for all non-residents but that was eliminated.
The entire transaction; transfer of ownership etc. cost $110.00. A lot cheaper than here where everybody, agents, inspectors, escrow cos, get to kick the cat.
I would guess there are still some large parcels (40 - 160 acres) anywhere from under $10,000 to about $20,000. P

[cabinman]

Phoenix2 - Great Thread! I guess I'm a youngster on here, *49 this year. *Good for you and all the rest who'ved posted here. *The book "The Good Life", *is a must read for those who have not read it yet. *The ultimate backwoods story. *I know that a lot of folks couldn't take their politics so they disregard Scott and Helen. *Politics aside the Nearings started their first backwoods homestead thing when Scott was 50. *It was 20 years or so later when they packed up and moved to Maine and started over because rural Vt. was getting too crowded for their taste. *Funny I grew up in that part of Vermont and it's still pretty rural. *

[tomato204]

Steve L Have you looked at Homestead.org? Online, time payments. In MO tho.