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Aragorn
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# Posted: 18 Apr 2011 10:05pm
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Hi guys,
I know it sounds crazy. Please don't laugh. But do you think it's possible to find a piece of land for a small off-grid cabin in upstate NY, which would be available from train or bus from a nearby town? 1 to 2 miles from train or bus is a walking distance (or on bike). I could ride train or bus and walk or ride a bike to the cabin.
I'm desperately trying to get an off-grid cabin possibly with a food garden. However, I simply can't afford a car (at least $4,500 per year). I live in Brooklyn, NY. We don't need one in the city.
Any thoughts?
Thanks.
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Gary O
Member
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# Posted: 18 Apr 2011 10:44pm
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Why not?
If they could do it between Anchorage and Fairbanks Alaska (in the 60s and 70s at least)...hop off the train and start walkin' in.....why not in upstate?
I'd prefer bus as opposed to a train, as they would be more agreeable in stopping off schedule in the lower 48....and walk/hike if terrain is rugged, and taking in nature when walking (for me) is more rewarding.
I say go for it, but only on one condition, and that is, you have to keep us posted.........
I'm sure the upstaters in this forum have plenty to add.......
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bobrok
Member
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# Posted: 18 Apr 2011 10:45pm
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Metro-North will get u 2 Poughkeepsie. How much farther upstate do you want to go?
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Aragorn
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# Posted: 18 Apr 2011 11:20pm
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Thanks for input! Yes, walking in nature can be a big plus.
Poughkeepsie is probably too far, but OK I guess.
Yes, I think trains are cheaper. Busses are at least $30 one way.
But my issue is that I was unable to find any land within walking distance from a town (1-2 miles). So I was thinking maybe I'm not searching it the right way. It has to be some rural area; I've found only town lots. I'm searching on landwatch.com, ebay and craigslist. If you have any recommendations of how/where to search, please let me know.
Thanks folks!
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smitty
Member
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# Posted: 19 Apr 2011 12:12am
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Idea!!!
Build next to water, and boat to town to catch the bus..
I honestly have never been on public transportation so I have no idea. But had that idea after reading this.
A lot of times, water leads to a public boat dock, near town.
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turkeyhunter
Member
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# Posted: 19 Apr 2011 05:46am - Edited by: turkeyhunter
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no car no truck????.......i could not do with out my 4x4 truck at camp hauling materials, towing my utility trailer for building supplies. I would buy a used $1500 +/- TRUCK and used to get to the train or bus route. You will need it for building a camp.
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dabones
Member
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# Posted: 19 Apr 2011 07:36pm
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He likely has no place to park it at home in Brooklyn.. and cost of insurance, licencing, etc can be a major hurdle.. renting a truck a few weekends a year to haul any building materials would likely be more in line with Aragorn's plans..
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Borrego
Member
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# Posted: 19 Apr 2011 09:53pm
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I suppose anything is possible, and I don't want to be negative, but I agree with turkeyhunter. I can't see doing it without a 4x4 truck. I certainly couldn't do what I'm doing, nor most of what I see on this or other forums. There must be a way to make it work so you can get a vehicle. Maybe buy a cheep truck and keep it out by your land?
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Just
Member
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# Posted: 19 Apr 2011 10:31pm
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Aragorn
can't afford a car
could you possibly give us a yearly budget hear then we can help solve this puzzel??? how many are you ?? the commute back and forth to the cabin is likley the largest cost for many of us, so you are not alone!!
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Aragorn
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# Posted: 19 Apr 2011 11:26pm
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Thanks for your responses.
Again, please don't laugh, but I've never had a driver license :) Because I live in the City and commute by trains/buses my whole life. Please, don't think that I'm retarded or something.... :). Never had a need for a car or license. Now I do have a need, but can't afford having a car. :( .
We are two people (wife and I) and our income is very limited. I can go and get a license, but my first year insurance will be $3,000 a year (I checked already), plus gas (at least $1000) plus parking (in the City its TOUGH – re-parking every week or PAY) and tickets (I'm sure there will be). My wife got her license recently, If we buy a car then all these things mentioned above will be applied to her (first year insurance will also be $3,000). We are talking about at least $5,000 per year. That being said, I could buy about 2 acres for 15,000 or a land with a small cabin for around $20,000 (seen these deals but not near public transportation). So the land and cabin will cost as much as commuting to it during just a 3-year period!!!
Renting a car is even more expensive. There's a lot of public transportation in/near NYC. We've taken train to Harriman State Park for camping many times. I agree with you about a need for car for constructing though. Maybe we could rent a 4x4 or a van for construction period. Or buy land with a cabin. The problem is how to find land (rural) near transportation.
Any more thought welcome :) Again thanks for input!
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naturelover66
Member
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# Posted: 19 Apr 2011 11:33pm
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Can you and your wife borrow a friends or relatives truck for your wife to drive up on weekends??
Is there a Uhaul nearby you could rent a truck from when needed to haul supplies??
Honestly, i cant wait to move away from the city............ I would cut my pay in less than half to be in the country.
You can do anything you put your mind to.
Good Luck to you !!!
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Aragorn
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# Posted: 19 Apr 2011 11:33pm
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My question is more about land than car :) .
Keeping car on property won't help as I need to get there somehow, plus car got to be registered to my city address with expensive insurance. I know it's really weird not to have a car for those who don't live in a city. I hear you!
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Aragorn
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# Posted: 19 Apr 2011 11:36pm
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We can rent occasionally, but not all the time (pricey).
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hattie
Member
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# Posted: 19 Apr 2011 11:47pm
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I would never recommend purchasing property in the country unless you have your own mode of transportation. Our only car broke down last week and we will be without it for 1 1/2 weeks. The repair shop (20 km away) doesn't have loaner cars. You really feel isolated when you are stranded without wheels and there is always that worry "what if one of us gets sick"? There are no buses or taxis in the sticks.
I understand not needing a car in the city as there are many ways to get around. It is a totally different thing in the country. Even if you found some property that you could somehow access without a car, I would be afraid to do it. You have to think of things like groceries, large items like furniture and the dreaded emergency illness.
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smitty
Member
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# Posted: 19 Apr 2011 11:50pm
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Example..
My old truck 99' s-10
Paid 1k for it, has 170k miles on it and runs like a top.
Insurance is 35$ a month. I fix it and do the maintenance myself.
I don;t go anywhere unless I have to, and when I do, I try to squeeze in everything I can in one trip.
In 3 yrs I'd bet you, I haven't spent more than 1k a year total if that.
Worth every penny. That truck has done it all. It;s not 4x4 but will be getting a 4x4 soon, because we will need it on an unmaintained road.
But, I grew up and have lived my whole life in rural or small town Indiana. Coming from the city, it'll be a big adjustment.
I imagine a whole new way of life if that's what you're used to.
You're gonna need a truck. I wouldn't even look for alternatives man. You're gonna need one period.
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Aragorn
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# Posted: 20 Apr 2011 12:05am
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Well, if it's 1 mile from train – that's nothing – I can walk to a grocery store or whatever. 1-2 miles from train/but would do it.
To smitty, there's not such thing as $35 insurance in NYC. I think lowest is around $1,300. But I hear you when you say I need a truck. That would be an ideal solution. But I'm trying to survive in the present situation. That's why I named thread "Mission Impossible'. Because I know it' hard.
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naturelover66
Member
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# Posted: 20 Apr 2011 12:19am
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what about taking the bus north......... then mountain biking the rest of the way? A few miles on the bike would be great excercise. ...... and a beautiful ride. Hire ppl to build the cabin for you ........ and make the trip up to "Supervise". Camp out on your property until you can afford the build.
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smitty
Member
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# Posted: 20 Apr 2011 12:53am - Edited by: smitty
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Sorry man, you;re gonna need a truck. And 1300 a month insurance is crazy. Find a way around that and you're golden. Find a way around it. Just another speed bump in the road is all.
Just don't give up your dream.. Eye on the prize man..
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turkeyhunter
Member
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# Posted: 20 Apr 2011 06:12am - Edited by: turkeyhunter
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Quoting: smitty Sorry man, you;re gonna need a truck
i am with most of the crowd here, Got to have a way to haul supplies. Get a po box in the nearest town where your cabin will be........get your insurance through that address, and leave it out there at the property.Catch your bus etc, back to the city, I am at building supply daily getting more supplies to work with at the new camp.It takes lots of trips to town for supplies.
Note: have never lived in a big city..........could not imagine living in one...thats just me a county boy..... a shotgun and rifle and a 4 wheel drive--country boy can survive....as the words in ole Hank williams jr old song. :-)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3eIntnHarCg
this ole gawja boy likes his trucks.....
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Gary O
Member
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# Posted: 20 Apr 2011 09:51am - Edited by: Gary O
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I can't hold my tongue (keyboard) any longer.
Admin, forgive me for this lengthy diatribe.
Aragorn, forgive me if I sometimes refer to you as a third person.
Everyone else, forgive the lack of continuity to this post, but my thoughts are flowing way too fast for the two fingers that contain typing talent, and I'm at work (I am so bad).
And everyone else.......WHATTHEHELLISTHEMATTERWITHYOUPEOPLE?
Aragorn, it appears you have several things going for you.
A desire.
A woman.
Youth (it appears)
Physical ability
No kiddies (just yet)
Somewhere in this forum, in regard to winning the lottery, Vince P posted some absolutely beautiful words in regard to what a person needs or requires as far as 'things'
Find it, read it, read it again.
It's so frigging contrary to what we've been indoctrinated with as far as our pursuit of happiness.
I was too busy in my youth, working hard, playing hard, and making sure I didn't retard the population explosion to have the experience of savoring life itself.
Cabi and I will do a lot of that, however, when I retire (quite soon).
Yeah, it may seem a truck would be necessary, but I read a book (years ago now, of which Cabi had placed in my hands) that inserted a nugget of contrary thought w-a-a-a-y back in my head.
The gentleman knew how to live. He too didn't have a truck, but he hauled his boards, one at a time, into his property, enjoying every moment of the hike, observing everything around him. He said, 'what's the hurry?'
Damn right....what's the #%@&*%!?%$ hurry?
All my life I've been in a hurry, build this, get that, do the other, seal the deal...blah blah blah.
Two years ago, something snapped in my head, and sanity started taking over.
Turns out, 'things' need to be insured, housed, maintained, replaced, updated, licensed, and for what, really?
My wife, Cabi, is my eternal inspiration. I thank God for her.
She enjoys nature so, and the simple, wonderful things in life.
Buy your land Aragorn.
Enjoy the peace in your mind while you slave away in the city.
Rid yourself of dictated urgency. There's no rush to haul loads of things in trucks.
Share your dreams with your woman.
Arrange for the local lumberyard to drop a load as close in to your property as possible.
Enjoy, savor the hike in with your lady, pack a lunch...bring a board with you.
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turkeyhunter
Member
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# Posted: 20 Apr 2011 09:58am
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Quoting: Gary O And everyone else.......WHATTHEHELLISTHEMATTERWITHYOUPEOPLE?
reality maybe.............:-)
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Gary O
Member
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# Posted: 20 Apr 2011 10:31am - Edited by: Gary O
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Quoting: turkeyhunter reality maybe
Oh, TH, don't get me started.
It'd have to be another (open) forum for a debate in regard to the simple complexities of one's reality compared to another's......
Preferably a rendezvous involving tankards of brew through the night, replaced by sweet tea from mason jars in the morning.......
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bobrok
Member
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# Posted: 20 Apr 2011 12:31pm
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Aragorn,
I'm confused and perhaps you can guide me. Do you intend to *leave* the city or do you intend to *live* outside of the city and commute to work in the city?
thanks
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hattie
Member
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# Posted: 20 Apr 2011 01:44pm
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hmmm...reading Gary O's posts....Yup, you are right Gary O (stop gloating *grin*)....I've been giving this a good think and probably most (if not all) of us here think outside the box and don't really fit into what most consider "normal". *S* We are here and enjoy each other's company because we want what is different and we have probably all heard the "you can't do that" speeches. So here I am doing the thing I detest and saying "you can't do that". *sigh* Well, Aragorn if you can think it, you can do it. It just means a bit more imagination and I apologize for being negative rather than supportive. *S*
So here's an idea: I don't' know how things are in the States, but here in Canada, many small towns are reliant on Greyhound buses. They link many big cities to the smaller, more isolated towns. Do they have Greyhound buses in the States (or something equivalent)? If so, how about picking up some bus schedules to see exactly where they go...Find out how far out you can get by bus....Then, take a trip one day to a place that intrigues you. See if the town has something like a storage rental place. You could rent the smallest unit available and store bikes, etc. in it. Take the Greyhound to the town, pick up your bikes and ride to a nice piece of property that is within riding distance. Maybe the Greyhound buses will allow you to take your bikes with you and strap them to the bus...That would probably even be better and cheaper...
After I read Gary O's posts, I remembered that out here, there is a Budhist Monk who lives without any vehicle. We don't see him very often - just when he goes into town for some groceries. He has a huge pack on his back that he uses to carry his supplies and usually hitchhikes a ride to his place. I don't know where it is, but have been told he lives in a cave without electricity, etc. and has been living like that, all alone, for years. He seems like a very happy guy and many people in town chat with him when he shows up. So, you see, anything is possible.
Good luck and keep us posted.
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soundandfurycabin
Member
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# Posted: 20 Apr 2011 04:56pm
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Aragorn, what you are planning is totally doable. I live in a city. To get to my cabin site, I usually take public transportation to a marina (1 hour) and then kayak over to the island (2 hours). You don't need to buy a truck to get your building supplies; you can get everything delivered one way or another. My neighbors and I certainly aren't buying our own barges and tugs. Once a year I rent a boat to bring over the season's supply of gasoline, drinking water and non-perishable food. The rest of the season, I have very little to carry with me.
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Just
Member
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# Posted: 21 Apr 2011 05:34pm
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so i'm hearing a budgit of 20000.oo for the land let's give the youngster's a hand and look for some land near there home,,!!
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naturelover66
Member
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# Posted: 21 Apr 2011 07:05pm
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Aragorn--- If you visit the website www.landsofamerica.com and search New York State you will find many nice propertys in your price range. Good Luck !!
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Just
Member
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# Posted: 21 Apr 2011 07:59pm
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Now we are talking on the right trak .
how about puting a want add in some small town news papers that has public transit??. maybe leasing a bit of unused property from a farmer long term ?? what about a e-bike no gas, no insurance no parking fees , no licence, 50 mile without a charge. two can ride , will pull a small trailer !! i'm sure there are many more ideas let's here em !!!
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Aragorn
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# Posted: 21 Apr 2011 10:55pm
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Thank you, people, for your support.
Gary O, I appreciate that. You speak wisdom. Yes, I'm in my yearly thirties.
bobrok, For now I want to keep living in the city, but trying to get a land for an ability to be with nature, depend on myself and owning at least something that I like. In case of natural disaster or turmoil (intuition tells me it very likely might happen) I hopefully can live in the camp. Although I'm not planning to move out of city yet.
soundandfurycabin, a-ha! At least one person is doing that. Thanks for sharing.
I guess I just have to keep looking for land. That's the key. I think it's not easy, but doable. Thanks folks!
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Borrego
Member
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# Posted: 21 Apr 2011 11:35pm
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I hate to be the bummer, but even though you can certainly do it without a vehicle;
it'll make the build take 10 times as long,
you'll be at the mercy of everything that can go wrong (murphy) and blablabla..
If TSHTF how are you gonna get to your place?
And how often are you going to visit once the initial thrill is gone if it takes all day to get there?
Again sorry, but someone's got to be your realist. And I can't believe that $1300 mo for insurance is the only option. You need to think outside the box to make this happen......
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