08-02-2013, 03:20 AM
Open letter to UJ...
Best of luck with whatever it is you're trying to accomplish. I see lots of neat ideas, but they seem like parts of three different projects, so I'll just assume that you have plenty of time/energy/money to pursue all of them at once.
Me, I'm just fascinated by the huge disconnect between "homesteading my own land, growing my own food, not paying anyone for work I can do myself" and "must have grid power and piped water, will do whatever County says (just as soon as they approve my concrete yurt plans)".
The idea of "don't want solar because it requires random workers who will judge me for not having a husband" (paraphrased) is even more bizarre, because as far as County is concerned, you're not allowed to do your own electrical work. Grid or no, you're hiring that out anyway. Same thing with the piped water.
This isn't meant to sound harsh and/or judgemental. We've never met (and maybe never will) but you seem like an interesting person, and I'd hate for you to have to leave the island because your projects were too unrealistic.
Now for a little sharing. I bought some property several years ago. By the time I got here, I had already discarded the first set of house ideas and was actively working on the second. After living here a year, I had a completely different idea of what the house should be; I would have been miserable with either of my original plans. Since then, the plans have changed three more times. I still haven't built anything. It's not just the house, either; I had lots of other grandiose plans about starting a business or two, maybe building/buying a rental as an investment, etc. The best advice I've heard so far is this: the island will not change for you; you must bend to its will.
At this point I have about 1.5 acres of productive farm, and the time/effort invested there is giving a far, far better return than a huge house or a paved driveway -- and that's not counting the awesome tax posture.
To each their own, and good luck.
Best of luck with whatever it is you're trying to accomplish. I see lots of neat ideas, but they seem like parts of three different projects, so I'll just assume that you have plenty of time/energy/money to pursue all of them at once.
Me, I'm just fascinated by the huge disconnect between "homesteading my own land, growing my own food, not paying anyone for work I can do myself" and "must have grid power and piped water, will do whatever County says (just as soon as they approve my concrete yurt plans)".
The idea of "don't want solar because it requires random workers who will judge me for not having a husband" (paraphrased) is even more bizarre, because as far as County is concerned, you're not allowed to do your own electrical work. Grid or no, you're hiring that out anyway. Same thing with the piped water.
This isn't meant to sound harsh and/or judgemental. We've never met (and maybe never will) but you seem like an interesting person, and I'd hate for you to have to leave the island because your projects were too unrealistic.
Now for a little sharing. I bought some property several years ago. By the time I got here, I had already discarded the first set of house ideas and was actively working on the second. After living here a year, I had a completely different idea of what the house should be; I would have been miserable with either of my original plans. Since then, the plans have changed three more times. I still haven't built anything. It's not just the house, either; I had lots of other grandiose plans about starting a business or two, maybe building/buying a rental as an investment, etc. The best advice I've heard so far is this: the island will not change for you; you must bend to its will.
At this point I have about 1.5 acres of productive farm, and the time/effort invested there is giving a far, far better return than a huge house or a paved driveway -- and that's not counting the awesome tax posture.
To each their own, and good luck.