Downsizing(long)

Robert F · #1 03/25/07, 06:17 PM

Cindy and i have been talking about getting a smaller place we have 3.36 acres now maybe go to 1 or 2.
Its just the 2 of us plus 1 cat and 3 dogs below is why we want to move and what we want

Had the place for 14 years was all woods now there is over 20 houses on a road thats not even 3/4 mile long.people move out here the first thing they buy is an ATV

they drive all hours tear up the road run over your land and then they let there dogs run loose we used to have 25 chickens not anymore. never had to put a fence until now. People don't care about anyone but themself.

I work 40+at a big box retail store and for the last year i been working side jobs my goal is to be out of debt by the end of this year the down side is this is the first weekend i took off this year and i don't even have time to start a garden this year.

So this is what we want.
1 to 2 acres build a smaller house 1000-1200 built out of block or concete with a basement for food storage,large garden to feed us,6 hen for eggs, maybe a goat, a larger workshop for me

and more time with eachother.

Would this still be homesteading?
Is this a dumb move? given the way the world is in today

Maybe i'm looking for someone to tell me i'm doing the right thing or to talk me out of this i don't know all i know is i'm tired of people who don't care about each otheri'm tired of not having time to work around our place and no time to spend wth cindy.
I want a better life.

Callieslamb · #2 03/25/07, 06:31 PM

Robert- if you are not happy where you are - what else can you do but go elsewhere. Sounds like you have plenty of reasons to do so. Yes, I think that is still homesteading - doing as much as you can for yourself.

Congrats in being willing/able to sacrifice to be out of debt! Way to go! I think you will have to admit that you current situation is also partly because you are working so much to achieve this goal. With everyone moving to your area, perhaps you can get a great price for your current place too!

We were so proud when we bought our little acre - but now I wish we had 10 of them.

Queen Bee · #3 03/25/07, 06:39 PM

If you are not happy doing what you are now--go for it... Nothing worse than having bad neighbors and being to stressed for things you want to do. We have two places and both look 1/2 done. We have lived in our house 20yrs. dh has never thought of it as 'home' and does as little as possible. We have the farm but his mother lives in the house we built and I do not want to build another house there (this house was suppose to be our retirement home)... and I can't see me living close to her.. we don't see eye to eye on anything.

sammyd · #4 03/25/07, 06:58 PM

Problem is almost no matter where you go you will end up in the same predicament with too many neighbors. Although the current mortage industry flap may cut down on that a bit.

We have just over 2 acres and have enough room for anything we want to try. May have to buy in feed when I get a wild hair and buy a bunch of calves to try and raise them as replacements, but for a few chickens and a goat or two and maybe a pig 2 should be pretty good.

I don't think homesteading is about your acreage or where your acreage is, it's what you feel and how you go about things.
I think you need to take a break from the 40+s and have a good think about what will bring you and yours peace of mind. Sounds like your haste to put away the debt is burning you out. Debt sucks but you shouldn't be killing yourself to retire it.

moopups · #5 03/25/07, 07:04 PM

14 years of equity is in your favor, the fact you wish a basement indicated you are in a Northern area. The phrase 'just the two of us' indicated children are grown or gone. Your profile does not furnish anything concerning age or location. I would hazard the guess that you are in the 45 to 50 age frame. Any move needs to be done while you are still able to handle all the things that occur in the homestead areas.

If you can put together a down payment, your existing property will make the payments if properly rented/leased. It is your choice, not ours. Avoid selling if you can, the value is only going to increase with time. That money could come in very handy in the future.

GrannyG · #6 03/25/07, 07:04 PM

I think homesteading is the place you follow with your dreams and your heart, it can be tucked away quietly, then gone to for solitude and peace. I know what you mean about progress, cut down the trees and plant concrete all over, no grass, no horses running free. You can homestead your 1 acre, do container gardening, have a couple chickens for eggs, and buy from neighbors out in the country. I like to do my own as I like to know what I am eating, so right now, lettuce, spinach, and onions make great salad. Will watch your posts ! Dream along with the rest of us.....

anniew · #7 03/25/07, 07:37 PM

By getting smaller acreage you may just be getting the same result (neighbors) who are even closer. I think fencing is a must when you have animals whether it is 3 acres or one or ten...that may cut down on your problems where you currently are. If you could swing it, I'd think you might try looking for 10 acres so you can at least dictate what goes on in that much space.
Good luck in any decision you make.
Ann

Vashti · #8 03/25/07, 07:49 PM

I live on an old farmstead with three acres. It's wonderful because it's out in the country and my nearest neighbors are 1/4 mile away (and they're all old ladies!!!). I don't have any problem at all with neighbors and my property is surrounded by farm fields. It's lovely not having any neighbors! I just got my first goats, and we have 25 chicks we're raising for our flock and rabbits too. Not to mention the two deer we processed a few weeks ago. It's just wonderful! It feels so good to be living this wonderful dream. I'm still young and have three children, including a 7 month old, and we're thinking of another. My folks live with me as well, so we have a little commune here lol. We're getting ready for a very large garden, fruit trees and a small vinyard.

I would recommend looking for rural property, perhaps an old farm. I live in a very rural area, and have to drive for a couple of hours to get to the nearest mall. It's just right for me. Do you plan on working after this transition? If so, then rural property may not work for you. You might also see if there is a group of like-minded folks in your area that you could get together with to purchase a larger plot of land. Community gardens are very nice too.

I do hope that you get to live your dream, and soon. Many blessings to you!

doohap · #9 03/25/07, 08:00 PM

I'm with moopups ... try not to sell. And I have a question. If you're almost debt free, why would you want to downsize to a smaller property for which you may have to again go into debt and which, as someone said above, will eventually assure that you have closer neighbors than ever?

Just don't quite understand.

Wolf mom · #10 03/25/07, 08:59 PM

As an alternative: how much would it cost to put in a basement? Or put up a barn instead? I also agree with Mooppups - keep the property.

I have 5 acres & don't use all of it, but it sure is nice to have a buffer between myself and the neighbours. It is also there if in the future I may want it.

You say you want more time with Cindy. Have you thought by working 40+ hours a week along with side jobs that may possibly be one reason you are not spending as much time with her as you now want?

Femces are as much to keep our animals in as it is to keep others out. I am in the process of field fencing my whole 5 acres! As much as I can, day by day.

How about a vacation? You sound tired.

Jeff54321 · #11 03/25/07, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Robert F

I want a better life.

No other reason needed and how wonderful that you want to do something about it rather than sit and complain. Good for you. Follow your instinct and good luck,

Jeff

IDgoats · #12 03/25/07, 09:15 PM

good fences make,good neighbors. That said, think about cutting back on hrs. carry debt little longer. stress kills! My wife and i need lots of holding hands, slow drives through country on sunday, sit on back poarch and share ice cream and cookies.

rambler · #13 03/25/07, 09:30 PM

You need to do what makes you & your wife happy.

So all this is just conversation.

I don't think down-sizing is the problem.

Feeling closed in by new neighbors is.

Be sure you find a spot that will remain as you want it for as long as you are there. That can be difficult.

Sounds like you are retirement age. Can be difficult to afford a major change.

It will depend how properties are selling where you are; and how they are selling where you want to go. Plus the cost of a new house.

Taxes (capitol gains) on what you are selling, and likely you will be looking at a pretty good moragage at today's higher interest rates....... With a fixed income?

Just things to think about.

--->Paul

Robert F · #14 03/25/07, 10:20 PM

11 replys thanks everyone let me answer some of you

sammyd I am getting burned out at work thats why i started my side jobs incase i quit.

moopups i live in middle georgia and am 41 no kids and i would like a basement for a root celler and a storm celler

Vashti i would like to quit my big box job the reason i'm still there is blue cross

doohap One reason i want to move is i designed and build this house myself before cindy it's my house not our house i want to build our dream house i want her to tell me were to put the door in the bedroom how to lay out the kitchen i want cindy's touch in our home.
Debt does not scare me this less the better i can see the end now and i am running full steam ahead at it.
The plan is to pay off debt, save, buy land, build new house sale old house then take all the money from sale and pay down new loan. the others are cindy wants to be closer to her folks they are not in good shape and i do like them and i just don't like what this place has become.

Wolf mom just took a week off from big box drove to tampa and worked on a house. Tired / you bet but just paid off a credit card thanks to tampa.

IDgoats respect makes better neighbors

Callieslamb/Jeff54321 Thanks

I guess it boils down to i started living here 9 years before cindy every thing around is me there is some cindy but 90% me i want it to be 50/50 we been married 4 1/2 years and i don't want to say i did that i want to say we did that.

I sowed my oats and when i knew it was time i found cindy and at 37 we got married and in my family there is only one way to get out of marrage DIE and thats what i intend to do in 50years with cindy by my side.

Thats the real reason i want it to be us side by side to start new just us.
Thanks for your help

EDDIE BUCK · #15 03/25/07, 10:50 PM

Pretty much been there done that,faced a lot of the same problems you are.In my opinion theres not a lot you can do about your present place,except plan,investigate,search,use your present location as a tool to help you look for that place that makes you happy.Make sure that new place,either does not have these disturbances or at least be able to control them.This pop explosion is something we cannot control unless you have enough money to buy a very large block of land.My new neighbor across the road,just bought a 3 corner 2acre piece of land with a word of mouth option to buy 2 more acres.He and his wife were very happy and built a nice home. They just had there dreams shattered by the person who gave them the option to buy 2 more acres.Now they have new neighbors,not beside them,but directly behind them.Never take a mans word,with your dreams at stake.I hope you find that place or somehow make your home your dream.

cider · #16 03/26/07, 06:33 AM

I think sometimes people wait too long and try to make things perfect before they make changes. I'm all for saving money but sometimes you should just make the change. You could get hit by a truck tomorrow!

Wolf mom · #17 03/26/07, 08:46 AM

Aaaaha. Now I totally agree with you!

Never ever let it be said "mine" or "Yours" but "ours"! Good thinking.

Neighbour has the same issue. She's a very gracious lady, but I know the house design bothers her.

You're definately young enough to start over. I was - in my late 50's - alone.

turtlehead · #18 03/26/07, 09:47 AM

It sounds to me like some of your goals might be contradictory. If that's the case, you'll need to decide which takes precedence.

For example, moving usually means NOT being debt free. OTOH if you move to a smaller place maybe you'll be able to come out with money in the bank.

You dont' like the close neighbors running rough shod over your property (or letting their dogs run) but on a smaller place you'll have neighbors even closer, and more neighbors (assuming similar sized lots all around you). OTOH perhaps you can afford to fence in 2 acres where fencing 3.5 is cost prohibitive.

It sounds like a strong motivator is having Cindy's touch on your (plural) place. Have you asked Cindy about this? You might find she's itching to move and build a home with you. You might also find she loves it where you are and would be happier remodeling the current place.

RandB · #19 03/26/07, 10:10 AM

It sounds like you are ready to move, and you are making a good plan, so go for it! In my former job I worked with a lot of senior citizens, and you see so many cases of people clinging to a house that is totally wrong for their current needs, too much upkeep, too expensive, too run-down, too many stairs for elderly people, etc..., but they stubbornly refuse to move. I have told myself I will never do that - your dwelling should serve your needs, not the other way around. I believe home is what and where you make it. My DH and I are in the early stages of thinking of where we will go next - our current place is still good for us now, but I don't think it is where we should spend the rest of our lives. Good luck with whatever you decide.

Ohiogal · #20 03/26/07, 02:38 PM

I just "upsized" from .08 acre to 4 acres.
I have neighbors that do the ATV thing, but for the most part, the reason why it works for me is because I have 2 things working for me on my land.
I have a tree buffer that cuts the road noise down and 6' wood privacy fence on the side of the ATV'ers. To the back, I have my land, behind that is farm fields. So my property is very private.

My suggestion is this: the most precious thing is being out of debt. I'd work towards that whatever the method. If you sell, you have no guarantees that it wont' go the same way. If you stay and get debt free you will have a little more chance to enjoy life and certainly free from being jerked around by the banks. Land prices are high now and they keep climbing. You may not find that you can do a one-for-one and get out of debt quickly after the move.

Plant some trees.
Change that job - retire and get another.
You only go around once.