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downcard11
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# Posted: 3 Oct 2014 09:52am
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I bought 18 acres in Southern Vermont just about 2 years ago. From that point on, my goal has been to build a totally off the grid cabin/small house to live in at least three seasons, but ready to live in during the winter if necessary too. Sort of a go to place if anyone in my family or friends needed a spot not dependent on outside sources. Right now I have a camper up there which I use to come in from the outside when needed.
I recently built a 10X10 shack, and I'm currently spending my nights in that, and some of my days. I am working to save money and learn the skills necessary to live off the grid, more self sufficiently.
The shack was built in pieces and will be moved from where I am now to the land that I bought when I get up there, where I will use it as a tool shed. There is no electrical or "running water" on the land I bought. There is however, a natural spring and streams throughout. I am looking to put in a well when the time comes. The land is deemed seasonal as well. that is, they don't plow past a certain point in the winter. A nearby neighbor, however, plows the road, and another neighbor lets me park in his big driveway which isn't too far of a walk to where my land is if needed.
I already have a new 1,000 sq ft wood stove that I have been using in the shack that I will use in the cabin when I build it. I have lived a minimalist life the last few years in an attempt to see what it is I can or want to live with or without when I finally build somewhere more permanent. I still haven't decided on size, but would like to make my cabin open to adding onto in the future. Something small, but practical. Definitely bigger than 10X10 ahahah. Basically anything up from where I am now is going to feel like a mansion to me.
I have been living without electricity in the shack for a year. It has been a learning experience. Ultimately, I'd like to put in a small solar system. I want to be able to have refrigeration for my food, some lights, and be able to listen to music while I chop wood. Plus, I gotta watch my wrestling somehow.
Two concerns for me are the fact that I don't want to have a septic system. I know that composting toilets only work above 50 degrees. I have plans for a composting bathroom that is heated off the sun, but I can only do one project at a time. This is built off the house, in its own separate space. Also, I have had a lot of trouble finding what my options are for grey water disposal. Again, my use is minimal, but I know I need one to be up to code. I'd like this is a place to be able to bring family and friends, with all the amenities of a basic home (heat, water, toilet, shower), just all coming from the land around me. I plan to get a wood fired hot water tank for my hot water. Perhaps a wood fired stove for cooking. Ultimately, I'd like this place to run without the use of propane, oil, or gas. I might have to take that in steps, though. I have enough land, will power, and work ethic to use wood for heat for the foreseeable future (barring any debilitating injuries).
It's been an adventure so far, and I've come a long way since moving out of my apartment two years ago and into living in my uncles tool shed, followed by now living in the shack I'm in. Financially I should be set by next fall (one year), but skill wise, I'd like to wait another year or so after that until I really feel comfortable.
Looking toward the future, and ready to enjoy a small cabin up in the land I have in Vermont. I have four nieces and nephews and can't wait to be able to share this with them, teaching them a more independent way of life. I've already learned so much and can't wait to share it! Any questions, comments, concerns, etc are welcome.
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bldginsp
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# Posted: 3 Oct 2014 10:17am
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Sounds like great plans and a nice place. Wish I had a spring and streams at my place.
I suggest you find out what the local regulations are before you commit too much in the way of money and effort- you want to devote your resources as effectively as possible of course.
Could be they will require a septic. It's expensive, but not too bad, maybe as low as $3000 depending. The nice thing about having a septic is that you don't have to worry or hassle once it's done. The authorities will leave you alone and you don't have to bother with a malfunctioning composting situation.
Just my 2 cents.
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ColdFlame
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# Posted: 3 Oct 2014 10:54am
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I must say, I'm jealous and envious of your situation. That is my ultimate goal, but I'm currently on a different path what with raising children, etc... I look forward to hearing about your adventure!
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downcard11
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# Posted: 3 Oct 2014 03:16pm - Edited by: downcard11
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Thanks for the advice. I thought that septic systems reached far higher prices than that, around the 10,000 range. I don't like the idea of wasting so much water in a flush toilet, but would have to weigh my options, really. A friend of mine I dated lived with a composting toilet her whole life and when she went to the flush variety she said she missed the old way. You mentioned not getting too far into it with my money and effort, and that is really what I don't want to do. I don't want to get all the time money and effort in and realize some part of it isn't doable so I'm glad for the feedback. I've been taking it in steps, but I usually end up hitting a wall now and then where I have to figure something out, and the toilet and grey water system has been something I haven't been able to get a solid plan on quite yet.
ColdFlame: One thing I didn't mention is that ultimately I want to have kids and this is actually my plan so that when I do have them I can spend as much time with them as possible, working around the house, while maintaining a part time job to support my finances. I'd ideally like to be able to spend most of the time raising my kids and teaching them skills that they can use later in their life. Trying to find the balance still of work/money/time. I'm 29 now, so I feel like I have a few more years to have this done before I move forward with starting a family. We will see how it goes.
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bldginsp
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# Posted: 3 Oct 2014 03:28pm
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You said you have springs and streams, so you would have plenty of water to flush a toilet, if you chose that route. I was wondering why you plan to drill a well if you have springs- sometimes a spring makes an excellent water source, sometimes not depending.
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ColdFlame
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# Posted: 3 Oct 2014 03:29pm
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Quoting: downcard11 ColdFlame: One thing I didn't mention is that ultimately I want to have kids and this is actually my plan so that when I do have them I can spend as much time with them as possible, working around the house, while maintaining a part time job to support my finances. I'd ideally like to be able to spend most of the time raising my kids and teaching them skills that they can use later in their life. Trying to find the balance still of work/money/time. I'm 29 now, so I feel like I have a few more years to have this done before I move forward with starting a family. We will see how it goes.
I can appreciate that. I'm 33, and have a wife and two children. My step-son is 16, and my daughter is 8. Given our situation and where we are in life, it isn't feasible for me to do what you're doing right now. That said, our latest home purchase is on ~4 acres, though it is in the middle of our town, and has been wonderful. I am trying to provide those same experiences to my kids that you intend to. We have chickens, run on well water, and are doing what we can to grow our own food during the warmer seasons.
It is all a fine balancing act, and if you can pull off living off the grid, and raise a family, yet still be able to stay afloat financially, you're far ahead of the game compared to most.
I struggle daily with the various hats I wear - primary income earner, father, and husband. I am hoping to simply my life further for the betterment of our family too - less reliance on my wage, try to find work closer to home (could save ~90 mins a day commuting), and potentially try to reduce my hours spent at work for the purpose of seeing my family more.
Either way, keep at it, and do what you can to continue down your path. It's too easy to get caught up in modern society that is constantly pulling/pushing to keep up with the Jones'. The rat race is something we should all strive to pull out of. Enjoy the ride for what it is. 
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ColdFlame
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# Posted: 3 Oct 2014 03:32pm - Edited by: ColdFlame
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Quoting: bldginsp You said you have springs and streams, so you would have plenty of water to flush a toilet, if you chose that route. I was wondering why you plan to drill a well if you have springs- sometimes a spring makes an excellent water source, sometimes not depending.
Very good point - I wish my property had some springs/streams on it. I'm very close to the river, so our water table is high, but I dream of having running water on the property to take advantage of (micro-hydro turbine, fresh/clean water, etc...). Utilize what you can, where you can. Look into a hydraulic ram pump if you need to get the water uphill to a storage tank (think used IBC container) at your eventual homesite. Electricity free, and can be built inexpensively. Brilliant!
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Mainiac
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# Posted: 4 Oct 2014 08:22am
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depending on your soil and grade septic systems can be very expensive.
Maybe the primitive outhouse is better for you.
Composting toilets are available used.I had a chance to buy one,used $75., from a camp.Retail it was like $1500+.It did need electricity to run a fan.
Check out the Lehmans catalogue for some ideas for no electric use.It is kind of expensive.
There is a co called Handy Pump that sells a metal well pump,manual,that will draw from 200Ft up.Its only like $200.for the pump.
Building something expandable is a very good idea.
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