Comments

Episode-35- Considering Your Options When Buying a Home for Self Suffiency — 5 Comments

  1. Those do look cool, the site could use some work though. I don’t really get exactly how they are deployed, delivered, etc. No pricing either.

  2. It looks to be 2×2 or 3×3 lumber with a metal zigzag webbing in between, kinda like metal trusses are made. it looks like they are used 4′ on center with sandbags in between as filler. Then chicken wire is fastened on both sides and plastered. The thing about this type of constructionis the thermal characteristics. It is similar to Earthship type construction in that it would be cooler in the summer and warmer in winter. The company is Australian so I dont know if there is a stateside distributor. But you wouldnt need much a few thousand sandbags and a little lumber and of course the metal webbing. I have a request for more information in to the company so I will let ya know what they say.

  3. Well Jack, thanks for a rational look at the topic and your suggestions on how to approach looking for land/a home for self-sufficiency. Again, the podcast has opened my eyes to things I had thought about; but then put at the back of my mind. I still will be moving to Vancouver Island; though with the cost of property there, I might be doing more what you’re doing, buying a rural property and building on it, while living closer to the main cities on the island for work, et al. If telecommuting is an option for my work, than all the much better for me. I’m looking at between .25 to 1 acre lots for the price we can afford outright. If the lot is treed, than felling them can provide fuel for heating (potentially) and maybe rough lumber (if times were to get tough) for building. We are though likely looking at strawbale as the base material for any house we are thinking of building. Also, out there, it will have an issue that I know about; but haven’t experienced, and that is the potential for earthquakes and tsunami (it’s helpful that we’re looking at higher ground where possible).
    The podcasts have spurred my wife and I to think more and more about this topic; also, it’s cemented in us, our long held dreams of moving away from Toronto and the congestion therein. Not that we don’t like our neighbours and all, just that it’s becoming to hectic.

  4. Interesting and a lot that is transferable to other countries. The main issue in the UK is that there isn’t a lot of land available. Especially if you want to be somewhat remote (no where is more than 70 miles from the coast, measure it its true!). Also. as I reads recently, its only rich men who can afford to live like a peasant, what they mean is that the price of farm houses etc. is very, very expensive. Even a small holding is beyond the reach of a lot of people. You’re very lucky in the USA and other countries.