It reinforces the idea that if you want to retire you can...you will find a way.
Hope your story encourages others to try off the grid living.
Jan 24, 2010 Rating
Additional info on previous text... by: Shari Hogan
Didn't really address COSTS (as well as other details) and that's what this site is all about!
We were 4 miles of dirt road off I-40/Route 66 and Int. 89 in AZ. A mile up, so high desert - a few cacti, mostly (and a LOT of) Juniper trees. Understand that in current economy our 120 acres with house and barn would sell for only $70,000. We purchased for $60K in '99, sold for $160K in 2005. Totally raw, empty land is ridiculously low. 300 residents in (and always has been) the economically depressed town of Ashfork, yet 3,000 in surrounding off-grid 40-acre lots - 188,000 acres of old ranch broken up. Nearest FULL grocery in Williams (gateway to Grand Canyon), 15 miles away - Flagstaff 1 hour to East, Prescott 1 hour to south for monthly stock-up. For the record, property west of I-40 is less expensive and crowded than that on the east side - different counties...
Water to fill 500 gal tank in PickUp truck was only $7-$8 per load in Ashfork. Filled gasoline tanks in Williams and stored. Propane (main source of power for stove, fridge, water heating, etc.) came from "Superior Propane" in Williams as they are the BEST! Bill & Lindie are WONDERFUL, reliable, delivered to tank they provided, and were least expensive.
We only purchased 4 solar panels and... can't recall... controller(?); no, but somethin' like that. More than enough power. Only used back-up DIESEL generator during cloudy monsoon or snow-time or MOVIE night with friends. We knew others who bought 30-40 panels (who REALLY [and inappropriately] wanted to have CITY life off-the-grid) but then couldn't sell their homes for having outpriced the area.
Insurance for home, autos, barns and ranching was GREAT through "Farmer's" in Williams - Don Dent and his daughter. They even covered windshield replacement (as rocks DO pop up on dirt roads)!
One must be frugal and READY for this lifestyle. We weren't, but adjusted quickly. I wanted to retire in Prescott, but it had GROWN too much! Had no intention or knowledge of off-the-grid, but as we drove north toward Chino then onward, came upon this really cheap land. We collected rainwater in 8 barrels around house (during times we could). Before improvements, I could take an entire shower & shampoo with a 2-liter bottle - half full of tap water and 1/2 with boiled water, just standing in the bathtub!
I know people that built homes of haybales, tires, and even aluminum cans. One fella actually put his compost bin in a large wooden box in his living room, acting as his coffee table! Yet compost puts off heat if attended to properly and also then doesn't smell badly at all!
Have thought of other things that don't come to mind just now - guess I should've used my knew Web site! Hope I've provided answers here that I didn't before. It really IS a great life!
Sincerely yours,
Shari Hogan
