What does an off grid property need?

[Magnus]

For those that have an off grid property, what did you look for before purchasing? What did you invest into it? How do you maintain it? I'm looking to soon have something out in the woods I can hide out in when SHTF; ie martial law, riots, angry wife....

 

[Marine Cpl]

Damn man. I wish I had the money. I was thinking of that a few weeks ago.

When I get the money, my budget minded plans are to get a small piece that borders state land near a stream.

A big General Purpose Tent like the Army has with some plywood floors and sandbags to reinforce the walls and I'm golden.

As far as what would it need, for me the main thing is water via a stream or river and distance from a nearby town somewhere in the 10 mile range that is accessible by bicycle.

 

[Magnus]

I need money too! I have been looking at Sheriff sales out in PA, if something reasonable were to show up, I might jump on it. I can't afford these market priced properties and guns at the same time.

 

[Drinkthekoolaid]

I have just started looking into an off grid bug out location. Unfortunately for me it's not realistic for at least 5-10 years. Hopefully not too late by then...

But what I am learning so far is I guess it depends what you are looking for. If you want a place to live at for years your needs will be different than a few week or months hideout.

For long term you want an area suitable for a large garden. A source of water (well with a pump) perhaps a pond you can stock with fish to eat etc...

I think the important things are you want it as far away from population centers and off the beaten path as is realistic. You want to be able to reach it no matter what. Hypothetically what if there is something like an emp killing vehicles and turning roads into parking lots, or sudden martial law declaring no vehicle traffic. Can you make it to your location on foot if need be?

Ideally I would like a stand alone off grid solar system to power simple things like lights, refrigerator, well pump, etc..

For fuel and heat a wood burning stove is probably a good route. Wouldn't need electricity and I'm guessing there are plenty of trees near by to use as fuel.

Food, well here's the problem everyone seems to have the same idea to hunt and scavenge. How long will the wildlife population hold out? That's a lot of hunting pressure.... My idea to have a stocked pond can be used as a controlled way of a continual protein source of managed conservatively. And a garden area. It seems if in a hilly environment you want a South facing property for your garden and solar array.

I would also like to have a fruit orchard and berry bushes on property to supplement a probably boring diet.

As many varied sustainable food sources you have the better.

Maybe have an old camper on property for guests quarters in case family or friends show up.

Areas I'm looking at, if I'm still stuck in NY then the NY southern tier (chautauqua, cattaragus, allegany) counties or their PA county counterparts on that side of the state line. Basically the allegany plateau region.

If not, hopefully I'll be out west and actually have my main residence in the country which will already be my bug in location.

 

[Magnus]

I have just started looking into an off grid bug out location. Unfortunately for me it's not realistic for at least 5-10 years. Hopefully not too late by then...

But what I am learning so far is I guess it depends what you are looking for. If you want a place to live at for years your needs will be different than a few week or months hideout.

For long term you want an area suitable for a large garden. A source of water (well with a pump) perhaps a pond you can stock with fish to eat etc...

I think the important things are you want it as far away from population centers and off the beaten path as is realistic. You want to be able to reach it no matter what. Hypothetically what if there is something like an emp killing vehicles and turning roads into parking lots, or sudden martial law declaring no vehicle traffic. Can you make it to your location on foot if need be?

Ideally I would like a stand alone off grid solar system to power simple things like lights, refrigerator, well pump, etc..

For fuel and heat a wood burning stove is probably a good route. Wouldn't need electricity and I'm guessing there are plenty of trees near by to use as fuel.

Food, well here's the problem everyone seems to have the same idea to hunt and scavenge. How long will the wildlife population hold out? That's a lot of hunting pressure.... My idea to have a stocked pond can be used as a controlled way of a continual protein source of managed conservatively. And a garden area. It seems if in a hilly environment you want a South facing property for your garden and solar array.

I would also like to have a fruit orchard and berry bushes on property to supplement a probably boring diet.

As many varied sustainable food sources you have the better.

Maybe have an old camper on property for guests quarters in case family or friends show up.

Areas I'm looking at, if I'm still stuck in NY then the NY southern tier (chautauqua, cattaragus, allegany) counties or their PA county counterparts on that side of the state line. Basically the allegany plateau region.

If not, hopefully I'll be out west and actually have my main residence in the country which will already be my bug in location.

You've really got a thorough plan. I'm looking into similar things, might start looking deeper off the road.

 

[NirvanaFan]

I'd look for a remote area, with at least 20 acres. 40 or more if you can afford it. This should be a mix of dense forest and grassy areas. These "edge" boundaries are great for wildlife. That would let you build a small cabin/house heated by a wood stove (not fireplace) with a root cellar. Ideally, there would be a small stream that runs through the property. I'd locate my cabin near that and build a 1 acre pond.

A 1/2 acre garden should supply a decent amount of vegetables. Here in NY, you need to have plenty of sunshine, so plan your garden accordingly.
I keep bees and that provides me with lots of honey. An excellent barter item!
Solar power is getting cheaper all the time, so you should be able to go off grid.
Ideally your land would be located on the side of a steep hill where it is inhabitable to people above you (or below you) and the stream running parallel to the hill. This would allow you to hunt and have the "protection" needed. Effectively, you'd increase your acreage without paying for it.

 

[Drinkthekoolaid]

You've really got a thorough plan. I'm looking into similar things, might start looking deeper off the road.

What have you learned so far? I'm always looking for new and different opinions and experiences.

There are "strategic relocation" books out there and YouTube videos. The main guys who does that is Joel skousen. My strategic relocation plan (finances and family) dependent is to head out west. More realistically I can stay where I'm at and get a small 5-20 acre off grid bug out property in the allegany plateau.

If you get into strategic relocation then your worrying about things like being downwind of operating nuclear reactors, fallout zones, nuclear attack targets, potential natural disaster risks, droughts etc... That adds a whole extra element of complexity.

 

[Cleck]

With the land, definitely want a bunch near a water source, but I'd also look for more than one way in/out. One of them I'd definitely want really concealed in case I needed to hightail it out of there, but the main one I'd like to also be cut off by either a natural obstacle (cliff, stream/river, etc), or have a fence that would at least slow anyone down and provide a choke point so I could easily see anyone approaching.

 

[Magnus]

What have you learned so far?

I work in an engineering field so I've been placing focus on waste systems, structure, water supply, energy, heating and cooling.

I definitely want something remote, hard to get to but easy to get out of should it become compromised. Small garden in a green house so I can grow year round. Rain collection and filtration system. Solar panels, wind turbines, water turbines and a treadmill turbine for energy. I want to be able to have energy being stored no matter what is going on. In terms of security, I want to be able to keep out people and animal's who have lost their food supply due to over hunting. I was looking to place welded construction nails around blind spots to make it uncomfortable and even grow thrown bushes. One of those shipping container homes would be perfect for a bug out spot.

The company I work for actually assisted a prepper evaluate his power necessity (rich guy), he was installing a "kill-zone". It basically was a box where the air leaves the room. His whole complex was underneath ground and above was a small house on this big property. If only I had the money lol.

 

[Jmac00]

My cabin is off grid, you can see pictures on the "off grid property need" thread . It takes me about 2½ hours to get to the marina by car. the cabin is only accessible by water or snowmobile in the winter. Our slip at the marina is deeded to the property. We can never be denied access to the lake
I have 400 feet of lake frontage, 30 acres of land, surrounded by 1200 acres of conservancy. The conservancy land is mostly deep swamp with high cliffs and canyons, even a SEAL team would have tough time getting through this swamp.

Its easily defended from the lakeside, the only direction for a stealth attack would be from the south. But I have visibility down lake so I could see someone approaching but I would have to be on guard 24/7 to guard the southern approach. we have plenty of wildlife and wood for heat.

The fridge and stove are propane, and I have a BBQ that takes charcoal/wood. If you're looking for a LPG fired fridge, Servel has been in the business for----ever. A 20lb tank will last atleast a week, but in the winter, thats not an issue. once the fridge is going, a candle can keep it going.

The problem with people today is, everyone is addicted to electricity. If you're going off grid, get use to living without it, you'll make yourself much happier

 

[Magnus]

My cabin is off grid, you can see pictures on the "off grid property need" thread . It takes me about 2½ hours to get to the marina by car. the cabin is only accessible by water or snowmobile in the winter. Our slip at the marina is deeded to the property. We can never be denied access to the lake
I have 400 feet of lake frontage, 30 acres of land, surrounded by 1200 acres of conservancy. The conservancy land is mostly deep swamp with high cliffs and canyons, even a SEAL team would have tough time getting through this swamp.

Its easily defended from the lakeside, the only direction for a stealth attack would be from the south. But I have visibility down lake so I could see someone approaching but I would have to be on guard 24/7 to guard the southern approach. we have plenty of wildlife and wood for heat.

The fridge and stove are propane, and I have a BBQ that takes charcoal/wood. If you're looking for a LPG fired fridge, Servel has been in the business for----ever. A 20lb tank will last atleast a week, but in the winter, thats not an issue. once the fridge is going, a candle can keep it going.

The problem with people today is, everyone is addicted to electricity. If you're going off grid, get use to living without it, you'll make yourself much happier

When SHTF I know where I'm swimming!!!

 

[Jmac00]

When SHTF I know where I'm swimming!!!

I hope you can swim with a bottle of Capt'n Morgan and a box of Dunhill cigars....thats the admission charge

 

[GOPerfect]

I would have liked to purchase bigger than I did. The time was right so was the asking price. We happen to be at the right place at the right time. We were looking to pick up about 10-20 acres, we settled on nearly 9 altogether. About 1/4 of the land is trees trees, the remainder is open land. I have a decent size creek that runs through. It is a bit hard to describe, much of the treed land goes through a pretty deep ravine. We have a nice campsite set up in a heavily wooded area.
I do not have the cash yet to build a cabin type building, I do have a shed, 16-14 also in the wooded area.
There are many different types of animals to hunt, no idea how long they would last.

When we were looking, we decided that we needed to be far enough away from others. There are a few others in the area, far enough away, but close enough if needed. From hardball roads, we are an easy 20 minute drive away, walking is at least 50 minutes. There would be little want to walk in my direction.

For what we were looking for and for what we could afford, it is paradise for us. I have set up a nice shooting range and each year we do a bit more. Baby steps.

 

[Drinkthekoolaid]

I would have liked to purchase bigger than I did. The time was right so was the asking price. We happen to be at the right place at the right time. We were looking to pick up about 10-20 acres, we settled on nearly 9 altogether. About 1/4 of the land is trees trees, the remainder is open land. I have a decent size creek that runs through. It is a bit hard to describe, much of the treed land goes through a pretty deep ravine. We have a nice campsite set up in a heavily wooded area.
I do not have the cash yet to build a cabin type building, I do have a shed, 16-14 also in the wooded area.
There are many different types of animals to hunt, no idea how long they would last.

When we were looking, we decided that we needed to be far enough away from others. There are a few others in the area, far enough away, but close enough if needed. From hardball roads, we are an easy 20 minute drive away, walking is at least 50 minutes. There would be little want to walk in my direction.

For what we were looking for and for what we could afford, it is paradise for us. I have set up a nice shooting range and each year we do a bit more. Baby steps.

What geographic area did you choose for your location if you wouldn't mind sharing? (i don't need your address or anything specific, maybe just county or town) you selected?

I'm trying to understand what are better places, I.e. lower taxes, lax building codes, good local population, nearby transportation and roads, maybe any other interesting details to consider, etc..

 

[Cleck]

I think having electricity isn't a bad thing, it just depends what you can live without I guess. I'm not saying I need all the things, but some amenities for entertainment so I don't need to go out are nice. I guess I'm describing something opposite of what this thread is talking about, but I don't think I'm ready for 100% off the grid living yet. We just dumped our satellite tv because of cost, but have taken on cheaper streaming options. It has been nice, my daughter reads a lot more and we don't really miss it...yet. As long as I can watch Walking Dead, lol. Then again, if I was busy all the time building lodging and hunting or some other activity related to living out there, I guess I wouldn't have time for all that stuff.

 

[Toecutter]

If you are off grid in a shtf situ your gonna be to busy during the day to worry about electricity and to tired at night. Solar seems to be the best bet or some sort of water wheel generator.

 

[Cleck]

If you are off grid in a shtf situ your gonna be to busy during the day to worry about electricity and to tired at night. Solar seems to be the best bet or some sort of water wheel generator.

Good point, and kinda what I was getting at. If it's that situation, then yeah, I'm gonna be busy.

I guess I would do a combo of what my second grade teacher did - bought property (actually near where I grew up, same road) that had a pond. Set up some sort of geothermal deal to help heat the home.

I completely forgot about solar power. With the right location and proper setup, you could definitely generate enough for yourself, so at least you wouldn't have to worry about following power lines to your house.

 

[GOPerfect]

What geographic area did you choose for your location if you wouldn't mind sharing? (i don't need your address or anything specific, maybe just county or town) you selected?

I'm trying to understand what are better places, I.e. lower taxes, lax building codes, good local population, nearby transportation and roads, maybe any other interesting details to consider, etc..

We found our land down in Allegheny county. It is just under an one and a half away from my house. Local population is quite low. Spread out very nice, again, if all hell breaks out we have a place to go. If we need assistance, help can be close enough. I have no utilities on the land, ie. water and electric. We wanted it that way. No bills. Taxes are VERY cheap. Between property and school, under $350 per year. I just mowed the front field this week, if it wasn't for the cut grass, you would never know it was anything more than land in the middle of nowhere.

 

[Toecutter]

Good point, and kinda what I was getting at. If it's that situation, then yeah, I'm gonna be busy.

I guess I would do a combo of what my second grade teacher did - bought property (actually near where I grew up, same road) that had a pond. Set up some sort of geothermal deal to help heat the home.

I completely forgot about solar power. With the right location and proper setup, you could definitely generate enough for yourself, so at least you wouldn't have to worry about following power lines to your house.

If your gonna be off grid and have power you may have to use more then one way to generate power . Solar , hydroelectric, maybe even a gasifier during the winter heating your home and generating power at the same time.

 

[Drinkthekoolaid]

We found our land down in Allegheny county. It is just under an one and a half away from my house. Local population is quite low. Spread out very nice, again, if all hell breaks out we have a place to go. If we need assistance, help can be close enough. I have no utilities on the land, ie. water and electric. We wanted it that way. No bills. Taxes are VERY cheap. Between property and school, under $350 per year. I just mowed the front field this week, if it wasn't for the cut grass, you would never know it was anything more than land in the middle of nowhere.

Thanks for sharing this is helpful info. Taxes are less than I was expecting. I'm sure as soon as you develop anything the assessor will be waiting...

Maybe if I can find a nice undeveloped property in the 10-20,000$ range I could convince the wife to buy it and we can keep our camper there and make that our summer hangout. Maybe I'll try to spin it that way....hmm...

What is your water source?

 

[Cleck]

Depends on your needs maybe? Supplement with a generator? I don't know what the average ability of a solar panel setup is, but if you're not like me, then you can get away with less - some lights, fridge/freezer, etc.

 

[GOPerfect]

There is a decent sized creek that runs through. The water tastes great. I take my lifestraws down and drink all day.

I dug out a decent sized basin in a couple of parts to gather even more.

 

[Jmac00]

If you are off grid in a shtf situ your gonna be to busy during the day to worry about electricity and to tired at night. Solar seems to be the best bet or some sort of water wheel generator.

a word of caution, if you're going with a micro-hydro electric or wind generator......something with a "wheel" to make electricity. the sales guys will tell you "it's starts to turn at 2 mph or only 1 to 2 gal per minute......YOU DON'T CARE when it starts to turn, what YOU DO CARE ABOUT IS **CUT IN SPEED**

CUT IN SPEED is the point at which "the wheel" actually begins to generate electricity. THIS IS EXTREMELY IMPORTANT. many wind generators must be turning in a 6 to 9 mph wind BEFORE they start to generate electricity, so a wheel spinning at 2 or 3 or 5 mph isn't doing anything for you.

Just something to keep in mind if you're in the market for a wind or Hydro generator

 

[Jmac00]

this is a pretty good resource for off grid applications,


http://www.backwoodssolar.com/learning-center/solar-powered-water-pumping
for refrigerators, Sun King is a good unit, but expensive. Sundanzer also makes a less expensive refrigerator,