I know this is a little off topic, but since my decision to move out of the city was made predominately to raise my own food (meat chickens especially), and knowing there are others here who have already made such a move, I am posting this here hoping to get feedback from people who understand.
I have found a property. It's 2.5 acres close to work and in a FANTASTIC school system with breathtaking views of the countryside. It's out of the city limits so no holds barred on raising livestock.
So, why the fear? The house is barely habitable. It was hand built by the gentleman who had lived there since the 60's. He did all his own work, and nothing is to code. There's an electrical outlet right next to the shower... SERIOUSLY!!! I am looking at totally gutting this place. The barn is huge, but the roof leaks. I know I can get it cleared out enough to build a stall for the horse, but I am NOT getting up on that roof.
Now, when I was in my late 20s, I bought a fixer-upper and fixed it up. I gutted. I drywalled, plumbed, tiled, etc... (I hired out the roofing and siding, I am not stupid.) Lots of blood sweat and tears went into the house but the satisfaction of renovating it, and the profit I made selling it, were worth it.
But I am 45 now. I am not nearly as fit as I was then. I have 2 kids in tow, (DS 9 and DD 12). The remoteness of the property would have them walking nearly a mile home from the bus stop. We'd be camping out in one room while renovating the others. They say they are up for it, but the Mommy in me is feeling some guilt over it.
The property is also landlocked and the easement passes through the domain of the Wicked Witch of the West. An easement is a legal right to use the road, but there's a bridge on the easement over a creek that WWW says I would be responsible for maintaining even though she uses the bridge, too, to access her back 40. WWW also said the well water is toxic. She may just be trying to scare me off, but what if anything can be done about well water?
If you made it this far, thank you. I appreciate any stories you have, good or bad.
I have found a property. It's 2.5 acres close to work and in a FANTASTIC school system with breathtaking views of the countryside. It's out of the city limits so no holds barred on raising livestock.
So, why the fear? The house is barely habitable. It was hand built by the gentleman who had lived there since the 60's. He did all his own work, and nothing is to code. There's an electrical outlet right next to the shower... SERIOUSLY!!! I am looking at totally gutting this place. The barn is huge, but the roof leaks. I know I can get it cleared out enough to build a stall for the horse, but I am NOT getting up on that roof.
Now, when I was in my late 20s, I bought a fixer-upper and fixed it up. I gutted. I drywalled, plumbed, tiled, etc... (I hired out the roofing and siding, I am not stupid.) Lots of blood sweat and tears went into the house but the satisfaction of renovating it, and the profit I made selling it, were worth it.
But I am 45 now. I am not nearly as fit as I was then. I have 2 kids in tow, (DS 9 and DD 12). The remoteness of the property would have them walking nearly a mile home from the bus stop. We'd be camping out in one room while renovating the others. They say they are up for it, but the Mommy in me is feeling some guilt over it.
The property is also landlocked and the easement passes through the domain of the Wicked Witch of the West. An easement is a legal right to use the road, but there's a bridge on the easement over a creek that WWW says I would be responsible for maintaining even though she uses the bridge, too, to access her back 40. WWW also said the well water is toxic. She may just be trying to scare me off, but what if anything can be done about well water?
If you made it this far, thank you. I appreciate any stories you have, good or bad.