Homesteads - Only for the Rich

Ainan · Heavy Crude Joined: Feb 18, 2008 Posts: 270

Many people on PO have brought homesteads or own a rural property. Lucky them. But what of us young people? I'm in my early 20s, 2 years to finish University, after which i plan to emigrate from the UK(deathtrap and downright depressing) to probably New Zealand.

My problem is once i get there I will have little money and working in a doomed career(IT). How can someone in my position ever afford a homestead, own a property or even a piece of land before we start to see real economic upheaval? Middle aged people are lucky enough to have a fixed abode to stockpile some goods and more importantly money locked up in their properties giving them the opportunity to move where necessary.

What is a person in my position to do? Is anyone else in my position? We no longer live in the age of pioneers, when you could just move to virgin land and claim it for yourself. All the land is owned by someone, even if it is unused by them, you must work for several years just so you can buy it. Do you know of any western nations where land is cheap and plentiful? Is Australia a good place to emigrate too?

Sorry if i sound too doomerish, just been one of those days.
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April 2008 Global Population: 6.8 billion
April 2010 Global Population: 7 billion
April 2012 Global Population: 7.2 billion

Ludi

Meet some "rich" older folks and offer to help them with their homestead.

pedalling_faster · Intermediate Crude Joined: Dec 10, 2005 Posts: 848

kellan1776 · Coal Joined: May 16, 2008 Posts: 14

My family has 10 acres 15 minutes from the city center. I often used to joke with my city dwelling friends that if and when things went really bad, they could come share-crop my land. Sad

)

The land here in Michigan is still relatively cheap dependant upon how independant you want to be. The climate is less severe than other midwest states and we have plenty of water.

CarlinsDarlin · Moderator Joined: Jul 02, 2004 Posts: 1395

What Ludi said.

I'd give my right arm for a farm hand Smile

(but then I would still be down some help, wouldn't I? Rolling Eyes

)

Someone who was a dedicated to this place as I am. Someone unafraid of hard work.

Some folks, like Lumpy, would let you "buy in" for time and money invested. In my case, I have my kids who I plan to leave my farm to, but in a purely "survival" mode... if you're looking for a place to live and learn skills and become part of the "family" such an arrangement might work out.

I think as the population ages, you'll find such an arrangement more likely to be available. In the past there were lots of folks who worked as farm hands for room and board and a small salary...

But you're going to first have to be known as someone trustworthy. Pick a community you think will be good in a PO world. Move there and take a job and rent. Whatever job will pay the bills. Get to know the locals. Be willing to help out when anybody needs help on their farm, either for pay or for lunch and a cold beer. Once you're known as a good "kid" (and sorry to use that term but most people my age and older will think of you as a kid in your early 20's) who's not afraid of work - and who's dependable and trustworthy, you'll be more likely to be the one they call on if an opportunity presents itself.

Not to mention, that even if you're not eventually called for such an opportunity, these kinds of small community connections will place you in a better place when things get really bad. Small communities take care of their own. Make yourself "one of their own" and you'll be in a better spot than most.
K

JPL

Lumpy

We are not "rich", and we are not old, but we ARE
1. Older than you
2. In posession of land that we are building up and a farm house in which to live
3. Looking for someone to help out with that, learn as he/she goes, and possibly buy into the place with sweat equity, and actual $$ earned from a job off the farm, as long as jobs can be found.

So my answer is "what Ludi and CarlinsDarlins said" -- and thanks to both of them for thinking of me/us!

You can PM me if you want to talk about this possibility.

Lumpy
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Dean Karnazes : "Run when you can, walk when you have to, crawl if you must; just never give up." --- Jackie Joyner-Kersee: "It is better to look forward & prepare, than to look back & regret."

JPL · Last edited by JPL on Mon Jun 23, 2008 5:35 am; edited 1 time in total

catbox

I think it's to the point that young people need to pool together to form livable communities. As long as people are will to share the work and meet common goals it should work. I know of a few young people who have recently moved in together, started massive garden projects, and
are waking up to the PO reality...these are people that I had written off as done for when TSHTF. While I am still trying to maintain a low PO profile at work and with my family and friends, I give props to these kids for going for it. It's a matter of simplifying one's life as well to achieve the goals.

As far as my own reality goes, as long as I have my house and 1/2 acre we are going to hopefully do ok, we've put a lot of work into this and it's starting to blossom! We're not rich, but we are hard workers and a tight little family.....my hope is here at home.

I'm in the boat that the next 3 months will tell the tale for a good long time to come. For the youngsters on the board....slow it down, get a plan and go for it.

Catbox
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President Bush: “There’s no question about it. Wall Street got drunk—that’s one of the reasons I asked you to turn off the TV cameras. It got drunk, and now it’s got a hangover."

Pops

The idea that everyone needs a homestead is where you get tripped up.

Do you not have talents and skills you can make work in an energy poor future?
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Make a plan and work it:

JPL

Revi · Fusion Joined: Apr 25, 2005 Posts: 3259 Location: Maine

If I lived in the UK I would head to the transition towns and try to find some way to connect myself to the community.

There are probably some community supported agriculture projects to get involved with also.

I would get a job first, then check out getting a piece of land.

A nice garden spot near your town may be better than a whole homestead you can't get to.

Just my opinion.

I like the idea of finding a place where you want to live, move there, get a job and then look around for land.

That's what we did. We found a great woodlot that we now use to produce maple syrup and heat our houses.

I bought it with a friend who is a forester.

http://www.msad54.org/sahs/appliedarts/artlofving/IL/PortWebIL/SugarHouseAlbum/index.htm

Click on the pics for more explanation.
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Deep in the mud and slime of things, even there, something sings.

JPL

Revi · Fusion Joined: Apr 25, 2005 Posts: 3259 Location: Maine

Ainan · Heavy Crude Joined: Feb 18, 2008 Posts: 270

First of all I would like to thank everyone for their great posts, its really cheered me up.