Great video! I just want to comment on something I hear sometimes when people consider "off-grid" living on your own land. A lot of you think that you have to have a septic system - you don't! I bought a porta-potty. You can rent them too. Its not a disgusting public toilet, its yours... so you keep it clean. You'll find a port-potty company in your area to pump it out as needed... its cheap! Give this some thought as a cheap alternative to a septic system.
No, let's be real about tiny houses. They are illegal almost everywhere. And renting someones land to put it on leads to even more difficulty. Now you have the city and the land owner to deal with. Because I guarantee you many people will pop up in that app willing to rent you a space without city authorizing it. And of course there are many that will rent you that space knowing damn well it is illegal in their city and then force you to move once they have your money.
@@DonIsadick-mf3gvthen we all need to learn mankind law and realize we are free men and women on this planet. We can find a way or we can wait a bit as these bureaucratic systems will fail.
@@DonIsadick-mf3gv The real question is: Why is it illegal to "camp" or tiny-house on property you own? Bet the pioneers who homesteaded the west would roll in their graves to learn how little freedom we have ---basically it's a government that hates human beings and thinks the world would be better without us. It makes homelessness practically a crime while at the same time promoting policies that both enable and prolong it. A variance to live on your own land and be grateful for it? It's just money for government waste.
Most jurisdiction's will not allow a piece of landlocked property to be sold unless it has a defined deeded easement into the property. Also in an area I lived most of my life in rural areas for a property to be sold that may be used for a residence they made it to a point the property had to be at least 3 acres minimum in size. I can remember two subdivisions within about 3 miles from each other that were built on like 1/2 acre lots with what would now be $350,000 and up homes that the water tables dropped and many of those people could not get enough water out of their wells no matter how deep they went to flush the toilet. At that time there was no county water in that area and it was like 10+ years before those residents could get county water. I think that was one of the main reasons the county instituted the acreage requirement because each time a new well is dug in close proximity to another well they are sharing the same aquifer and it is possible to many users will eventually result in not enough available water.
@@billwiley7216 Some areas in the west you are legally barred from getting a well permit. Two such places are San Luis Valley in Colorado and northern Arizona around Seligman. Some areas you have to BUY a well permit! Utah and Nye County/Pahrump, Nevada. The dirt may be cheap, but it makes your land cost deceptive, and development becomes sketchy.
Yes I knew a woman who’d bought 80 acres in desert not even knowing she had no access legally . There was a road into her property but it went through another’s land and many years later he decided to fence off the land . Fortunately she went to court & the road had been used so many years the laws said it was considered a legal access road . It would have been a different outcome if the road had not been used for over 7 years . That’s over 30 years ago so laws may be changed now .
Landlocked as in surrounded on all sides by private property? So that if you want to access your land you have to trespass someone else's private property? What is an easement?
6 years offgrid . I started with a fithwheel rv , drilled a well then a septic . Solar , generator for big loads , tv antenna.woodstove,lpgas cook range ,I use my phone for internet . 3 years ago i started my cabin . Almost completely finished. Doing the estetics now . All paid for . It was a sacrifice , at times i wandered if i could finish it . Money and time well spent . Will be working on my overland 4x4 truck camper next .
I just bought land from the owner and it was wayyyyyyy easier than I thought it would be. I'm moving a shed cabin in next week and wish I'd done it sooner! Having a van has been great training.
According to University of Arizone state University DOA. "In the state of Arizona, it is legal to collect any rainwater that falls on your property for future use. Rainwater can be harvested in rain barrels or cistern systems that funnel rooftop runoff to water collection tanks."
I worked on cell towers. 1 tower does not send out signal 360 degrees. They probably cover about 180 degrees in 3 separate sections and sometimes they move the sections/coverage. So if you are reliant on one tower you might find yourself without signal. Carriers have coverage maps and sometimes you can find a tower map. Try to make sure you are covered by at least a few towers/carriers.
Experienced land buyer here. 1 ALWAYS look at the land first. Do not rely simply on photos or overviews. If you don't use a real estate agent, meet your Seller, if possible. FYI, online parties with websites are typically resellers and they mark-up the price they paid WAY, WAY above market levels. 2 Shop and use Sold prices the county can provide you until you understand area prices. 3 ALWAYS HAGGLE to get a fair price. Start at 20% under Asking price. YOU determine the value, NOT the Seller he can ask the moon if so inclined and some do.
Depends on how motivated the seller is. When I had to buy, in 2022, before interest rates took off, there was a LOT of competition amongst buyers, and if I made the asking-price offer, like most do, the place got sold out from under me, every time. I finally made a more "aggressive" offer, a couple/few thousand above the asking price, and got the red carpet. This same thing happened to me in 2013. I made out handsomely on that house, selling it in early 2022. With the real estate market cooling a bit, and more people maybe in over their heads, haggling might work. But the seller has to be motivated. There can't be a line of people waiting to pounce on it.
I've looked online in the county this land is on and they're all restricted use. Haven't found any I can just park my van on and live there. How would one find that?
For many years I have thought about forming a small group of like minded people to buy a large piece of land and divide it up into smaller lots for just this purpose. Buying a huge tract of land gets you more land for less money in most cases. You also could form a neighborhood watch to look after things when you are traveling or even trade turns working security to avoid paying anyone. Dividing the cost of building a road, digging wells, fencing in property for extra security, sharing gardening chores or animal care, etc are all optional and can be decided on by the group in advance. Like I said before, " like minded people" . Some would just want to be left alone while others may like a more community type existence. I am of the mindset that I don't want to be bothered much and won't bother you much either, but if you need me I will be there and it's nice to know there's someone I can call if I need to.
I bought land, thinking this would be what my family wanted to do. We had talked about it, and decided I paid for the property and when the time came to move on the land they all backed out. Never made it to the 20. It’s in Texas out side El Paso. Found out they wanted me to do all work, pay for everything and it when all was completed then they wanted to come and just live there. My reply a big No. That was family how would it be with people you don’t know.
It’s important to have the right people in the community. I’m planning a similar project and my plan is to borrow the tenure system used in colleges. People can come and rent a unit of the community land to park their RV, or rent a tiny house, and they have to follow the basic human decency rules for five years to be eligible to buy that unit.
@@DAWN001 I have similar ideas and plans. How would you handle it if/when owners later want to sell their unit, and/or transfer it (to heirs upon sickness/death)? Would ownership be transferable or limited to thier lifespans? Would the community maintain a buy back fund or would it simply revert back to community property? What if owners died and their heirs proved 'undesirable' or were rulebreakers? Would it be run like an HOA?
Mark makes some very good points about the challenges of living off grid in a rural location. This is a great idea but it needs to be very carefully thought out, including your own financial, physical, and emotional abilities to solve problems.
Most of my life I’ve been in a rural setting. Mark has essential points to chk on for sure! Especially water! That for me figuring that out is most important.
Living in Winslow has a direct bus route to Flagstaff but not if you live in Holbrook. Holbrook does allow tiny houses but they have to be larger and you can get around that by putting a deck on your tiny house
I bought one and a half acres up in California City sitting 3 years ago been living in my RV on the property I'm just now ready to do my above bed farming and life is so wonderful I'm almost debt-free
This is a very smart man. I saw the earlier video of his trailer and I was so impressed at how perfect and tidy all the wiring was done. Now he shows us that awesome shed he built on his own. Great great work. I can’t wait to see the garden that he probably has planted by now. Looking forward to future videos of this nice man. Thanks Bob for the video!
He should do the things to protect his property ( shed, utility trailer, anything inside shed, anything you keep out side. Thieves are everywhere and once they stakeout your place and find you are not there but only one season. My friend did what you are doing, but theives cleaned him out. Took everything in the shed and the flat bed trailer. It was not insured.
if you have a good amount of property it would be helpful to have someone that you trust living there full time so that they can keep an eye on your homestead. If you give them low rent they will be there a long time.
Ugly situation , insurance , cameras and gps trackers are a must . Also the place can never be left un gaurded. I took a 10k hit a year ago and its tough to take.
I sold my land. It was a hassle to pay for property taxes and insurance when I don't really spend time there. If I need a place I'll go to an ltva with no strings attached. Some folks like yourself love having land. To each their own right
Awesome, happy for Mark. I'm heading out on my 19 state, 7 month, 8,000 mile tour on Saturday...been planning this for 12yrs thanks to you Bob...nomad or bust! ❤
I would really enjoy seeing you tube videos from mark about his progress and how he goes about everything. He’s already accomplished so much in just a year. If he does garden and have animals in this area it would benefit so many considering going in this area to see the real struggles. I bet he’d get a big following of subscribers and it could be a good side hustle for a bit of extra gas money lol. I wish we could have seen more of a tour of his place. Thanks Bob and Mark!
I’m planning to create a channel like this. I’ve been living in my van for a couple of years and have a lot of suggestions, advice, and ideas from my own experiences. It’s good to know there are others who live as I do and enjoy it as I do.
As usual, this is a very insightful video. Even at 87, there's hope to just have short trips to do birding or what ever with short trips and still keep a home base. But, I always need to have doctors handy and within reach. Really good video.
Been vanning around the US 30 years and always owned a piece of bare land to go relaxed on . Still have it today. Maybe when I get older (70 now) I will build something on it. Happy trails
I just bought 6 acres of community off'grid property in Arizona. It has no HOA but some County restrictions like you are required to have a small structure to live in rather than living in an RV. It's called the "Bridge Canyon Country Estates" and there are several estates with cheap land for many owners. There is a club house ( no dues) which you meet other like minded people. Septic is required and easy to install and water is a 2,500 gallon container. Most owners use solar and/or generator. Very little restrictions and have your own garden! The old historic Route 66 is nearby, Flagstaff, and the Grand Canyon! I will continue to travel in my camper van and have a place when I'm ready to settle down. Land here runs about $3,000 and acre but I have seen it for less! You can buy 1 acre, 20 acres, whatever you want! Lots of large trees on the land, so you get plenty of shade!
I have just started to follow Bob, I find it fascinating. Most farms and houses that live off the grid in Australia have water tanks, One day I would like to pick up everything and get a camper van to go around Australia. Thank you for sharing your experience, everyone greetings from Australia.❤🙃🇦🇺👍
Just buy a fifth wheel, did a septic system out, and prepare to store 10000 gallon of water for the year ... buy land close to a water source. And get some solar power. Start your little farm and a storage bunker for food and whatever. Life is good.
No water and can't drill a well. Even if you buy property where you are allowed to dig a well and a septic system it is outrageously expensive. Hauling water in and trash out. Not something that most people would think about doing.
I get it, but i dont think that restrictions on camping on your own property and no drilling for your own water if piped water isnt available can hardly be considered good luck.
I think this is a wonderful idea. I also looked into it but communities change the rules frequently and sometimes with little to no notice. It might be fine when you purchase to live off grid, but down the road you might find that you must build a sticks and bricks to a specific minimal size, and repair or even pave the road coming into your property -- to their specs. Also, power companies have been known to make you pay for a power pole all the way to your property even though it isn't used. The changes to rules and regulations involved in being static is what keeps me nomadic even though I miss gardening terribly. If one does invest in property. It would behoove you to attend all county meetings. Shenanigans begin once they see an increasing rural population that they can tap into for financial gain.
Great idea about attending county meetings . I ought to do that IF I were able . Being a caregiver means being unable to leave home for more than a short while at a time .
I wouldn’t be able to afford a situation where I would be likely to have to deal w any of that. There are ways around most things. You don’t want to buy land that is likely to become subject to these scenarios soon. I will advise the realtor who is going to locate this land for me that these considerations exist. I also like the idea of renting 1 or 2 acres from someone rather than buying. We have a friend in NC who did this. The landowner died & left them their 2 acres in his will. 😊
100% this! There are numerous 'prepper' channels out there encouraging everyone to have an off-grid bugout home out in the rural parts. The truth is that you NEVER escape control in some form from the system, and you are neither anonymous nor in complete privacy just because you're out in the sticks. Just because the land is out in the middle of nowhere doesn't mean that you aren't being watched and that the state and county governments won't impose new rules, taxes, and other mandates on you. One might be surprised how many of these 'nomad' lands have manifold restrictions on what you can do. Some of them will not allow you to camp on the land beyond a certain amount of time per year, some do not allow RVs/trailers, some allow you to build only to their specifications, some impose strict rules about farming, water access/use, digging wells, and installation of plumbing systems/septic tanks. Some even claim rights to the trees on the property, and they may not allow you to trim the trees or cut them down if you want to. Or if THEY deem it necessary for any reason they declare to be emergent, they reserve the right to come on the property and cut down trees and cull or remove your animals. In other words, you're not as free to do with the land as you might think. There is also the issue of access. Lots of naive first-time land buyers out there don't even think about this. If you decide to buy land make sure you have free and open access to it and that it isn't landlocked. Also, find out before you buy if you are required to pay for development of private access/roadway to the property. If you are hoping to hook up to existing power lines, they will make it so that you have to pay a small fortune for the utility company to drop poles and run wires to your property. If you plan to use the land only occasionally you are still responsible for its upkeep and security. Consider that vagrants, thieves, meth heads, squatters, and vandals will come through and use and destroy the place and steal whatever they can move. You will need to be armed, and KNOW how to use what you have to defend yourself and the property; and especially these days, you should take this very seriously. A lot of folks are moving out of the cities into the rural areas and bad people and crime are everywhere now. I do not recommend doing this unless you plan to live on the land full-time or most of the time, and if you are fully aware of all the potential pitfalls and ready for them. I looked into this for a long time but didn't do it because it wouldn't have worked for me. But I love watching videos of those who have done it and are doing it successfully. It reminds me of the pioneer lifestyle of 200 years ago, and I love that.
This is why I purchased land with a house already on it. Down in the south, there are very cheap deals. I purchased a house on an acre for 10 grand several years ago in Mississippi. The house isn’t in great shape so I’m usually in my fifth wheel anyway. But I avoid questions from the county because there’s already a house there. Also takes care of the utility issue because utilities are already to the property and connected. Paid less for the whole property than what many people pay just to get utilities to their raw land once they’ve bought it.
As a snowbird from Illinois, I've often contemplated buying a patch of land in AZ to use, as you say, a home base. I recently bought a slide-in truck camper for future trips out there and am not as keen on the idea as I was. With thousands of acres of BLM land to camp on, why should I spend money on land? If I ever decide to do so, it would be just a place to park the truck, not make any improvements, as thieves and meth heads would destroy or steal whatever was there.
Until zoning shows up and fines you for occupancy of a property without a 600 gallon septic tank and a permanent dwelling that's up to code! In Colorado this would be illegal and you could get fined up to 1000 dollars a day!
I had watched countless videos and I have to the conclusion that having a minivan or a truck camper is cost effective . I always know from u tube that there are many many seniors including myself That may be able to purchase a 1 acre property but do not want to be by themselves especially not to see anybody for a few days on end because we are social creatures . I like bob's idea of co-op ownership where you're pretty much guaranteed that you're not gonna get kicked out or kicked off your property and that the cost of living there would be minimal.
Hi Bob, Maybe, do a video on what I call "docking station" homes in Solome, AZ. Many of the homes there are built around a transportable home of some sort. And, there are areas subdivided and still open with utility services, while allowing RV/van/trailer living.
As long as you buy from developer in salome. Otherwise la paz county turns into extremely costly place to develope a place for RV. Did check with county but rules changed apparently.
One thing to think about is perhaps getting an all year variance since they are available now. I watched a video yesterday where the rules changed during the time a person was working on his small cabin. Things change with municipalities/counties. Maybe nail it down now and be grandfathered in. Just a thought.
@@MrKevnomi Yeah, that whole "camping on your own land" part in the video crinkled my nose. Even on your own land you can't just live, so many rules and zoning and restrictions.
Great video! Thanks!!! I've long thought the best place to buy would be acreage with a destroyed house that would provide utilities, septic and an opportunity to build a new place on the remaining foundation.
It's doable like he says. Only thing to remember is it may be difficult to sell going forward, since it doesn't perc and you can't drill a well. But you can get land cheap like that too. Keep in mind chickens and other livestock will tie you down, and make it difficult to travel because someone needs to be there to care for them. Same thing goes for any improvements. If you're going to be traveling any part of the year whatever you change may be subject to vandalism. (chickens and rabbits can sustain you and your pets, but you have to have the stomach to process them.)
I have a home base. I built raised hugelkultur beds and they are green with spring edibles. I haven't got a 6x12 trailer just yet. I only pay taxes no debt. I plan to live in the trailer. I catch rainwater, this year I doubled my water storage, I feel so rich!
A lot of well educated, smart engineers, sometimes with 2 or 3 ivy league masters degrees, PhDs, and sometimes multiple patents to their names have ended up in a tough situation. There is a major major problem in the tech industry (silicon valley level) you work for a large company, no matter how much you make, mr. tax man gets you. All your income is on a W2, no escaping uncle Sam. Also, when you're in a cutting edge industry like this man, chances are, you probably also live in a place that costs astronomical sums of money to rent a small hole in the wall apartment. So at the end of the day, you have a bunch of fancy college degrees possibly from ivy league schools, you have a fancy job, but you aren't effectively making or saving as much money as even an electrician or a plumber in the suburbs of a city does. I am in exactly the same boat as this man. I'm that guy with the fancy degrees, fancy job and patents to my name, but pinching pennies at the end of the month. Time to rethink my living strategy.
I bought land in Klamath County Oregon. About 45 minutes east of Klamath falls. A lot less restrictions. Actually no restrictions where I'm at. Can even have animals. Stay clear of anything with HOA fees.
Maybe Bob should buy a couple hundred acres somewhere appropriate, and start Well's Ranch? A offseason safe landing spot for nomads as a community. Can't think of a more genuinely good guy to help others out. Strength in #'s kinda place to get off the road for a month or two. Just a thought Bob. If and when you settle down.
This would be what gets me out of my suburban home! I'm not confident enough to go it alone. I can buy a small piece of land, but need the strength in #'s you mentioned. Even better if Bob buys the land and brings all his friends to join in. Count me in!
The only thing I would do differently is put a metal roof on the shed for rainwater collection. Almost have to have some on-site water in order to garden, and AZ does have monsoons where significant water could be collected.
I stay on BLM and nobody has ever called me for staying for a month in one spot until payday. A BLM cop told me all I have to do is move to the empty next door camp, I stay on national forest land for over 16 days and never been called out, I leave every month on payday, and sometimes come back and stay. ❤
Excellent video Bob. Thank you. You can't do enough research when buying land. Talk to the county, the town, check for covenants, are you subject to an HOA? And it goes on and on. But it is doable.
Bob’s explanation of nomads with itchy feet & green thumbs is perfect! We just finalized land purchase in AZ only a couple weeks ago & visiting is a must! You cannot trust what an agent or land broker tells you. See the land & confirm the APN # with the county to ensure the piece of land is even where you’re GPS coordinates take you. The other big thing is access to the property- can you get there? Does it run through a wash that floods in monsoon season? Is your property in the middle of someone else’s land with no road to access it? A lot if things to consider & it took us a year of searching to find what we wanted in the zoning we needed, but we’re excited to work the soil again & focus on some hard homesteading.
Ive noticed in the comments that many are concerned about only being on the property for certain seasons because all your hard work on the property could be destroyed if someone noticed you were not there alot, and steal or destroy everything. There are many options for that scenario. You could make an arrangement with either other nomads or a local individual to manage the property when you are not there. Offering someone cheap or free rent to be the caretaker of the property is an option that many use. As you travel and look into purchasing a place to call your "home base", talk to people about your ideas and you are bound to find like-minded people that you can network with.
Bob be sure to advise your followers to check the ordinances of the county/parishes of their intended location(property) for restrictions. Could be a problem with nomadic lifestyle. Also love your videos. Want to downsize to combo tiny house nomad part time
Are you talking about something different than the “check with the county for zoning, etc” part? I need to know if there is something else they didn’t mention in this video that you’re referring to. I thought it was thorough and plan to share it with my “naysayers”🤷🏼♀️😅
In Klammath County you can only camp on your land 21 one days every 6 months. And then your surrounded and locked in. And that can get very,very unpleasant when your surrounded by squidbillys ready to kill eat you. We got invaded by a cult and now our land is worthless and we are moving. Word to wise you need like 40 achers minimum. And what are we buying really but an illusion?🤔 Afew rich men made the lines in the woods and sold us a peice of paper telling us that we have permission to be there. Or not! I don't get it!🙏
Thanks Bob for having Mark on your channel . He is very knowledgeable about so many things. I wouldn't have thought about talking to the county before making my decision completely. From Central Oklahoma.
Very timely video as we are converting a cargo trailer and looking for land in Northern AZ! Thank you Bob and Mark! The information confirms what I have heard from others! Mark’s land looks beautiful!
I hope he thinks about putting up a carport to put the trailer under to keep it out of the sun. It'll make the trailer last longer. And it won't get rained on.
That sounds great, but most nomads that I know don't want to be near too many people. I just want a couple neighbors for emergency and safety concerns.
I’ve been expanding and improving a small cabin for about 12 years. It’s nearly done but it took easily 2x longer than my worst case estimate. But I insulated and wired and installed a composting toilet, installed cabinets and flooring and expanded the original footprint by about 8 feet. Once you get started you realize you need a stone driveway to keep the mud down, the outdoor shower is very unpleasant when weather is lousy, you want a kitchen with plumbing and appliances..... air conditioning, bigger and more robust (ie- bulletproof glass) windows that are impenetrable while you are away. Shade for outdoors..... the list starts growing. Nothing wrong with the shed approach but really consider how much you will want to maintain a lifestyle and what’s it going to cost. I would highly recommend a cement pad under the shed in case you ever want to convert it to living space. Much easier keeping critters out if there is a solid concrete barrier at ground level and up to the base of the wood structure.
I have wanted to do this for years. After doing an immense amout of research, I am putting my plans into motion. At this time, im taking care of my elderly parents, so I have to stick around one location. While I do that, I have acquired a 22ft travel trailer that I have parked in the back yard. Im in the process of gutting and rebuilding, and turning it into my nomad home. Video's like this one have been indispensable in helping me with ideas and avoiding common mistakes. One day, before too long, im going to be at one of your RTR's to shake your hand!😊
Love the shed idea! Especially as it would open up options for more food storage. I would love to have a home base with the ability to park a deep freezer, do some fermenting, and such. Fermenting things like sauerkraut and kombucha in my RV has so far been a significant failure.
I put buying land first! Where I am at Mohave County Arizona you can still buy land with a fairly low down and monthly payment! You can still live on property out in the county in an RV. The big hurdle is you have to put a septic in first! Not sure but you might be able to get around that with a composting toilet. I chose to put the septic in (3500 at the time) and hook up to the county water (1000 dollars at the time plus cost of Pex and assorted fittings). Being in an RV they wanted to gouge me 1500 just to hook up to the power. RV's aren't considered as full time housing so they can charge a hookup fee. Add the hookup fee, cost of a power pole (800 plus) then the trenching, wire and conduit, Rv connection and it gets to 3,000 plus dollars pretty quickly. I waved my middle finger at that and went solar! Once I hit social security age I plan on hitting the road a bit. My monthly living cost even with the property payment are extremely small. A person would be hard pressed to be able to live for less than I do. I live in between Kingman and Bullhead in Golden Valley. So, it's not like you are a great distance from a city! It can be a hurdle though if your transportation goes out. It's still doable though thanks to online shopping and having an address you live at to have it delivered to! On medicaid you can take a medical taxi to appointments or if a veteran DAV schedules medical rides.
Seems like this lifestyle is pretty much restricted to the South West or at least wintering south. Property is more expensive up here too (Minnesota.) But other ideas related to Nomadic life are useful to us non-nomads. I've learned about battery (Bluetti) and portable solar panels (folding Rowerness 120w) for my motorcycle camping with my dog and sidecar. I started out following more glamorous adventurers who seem to make a lot of money with their channel. But the older nomads you focus on have more practical things to share. I am 69 and just got into motorcycle travel the same year I got my first motorcycle..
The laws and codes are crazy. RV living with property has a ton of rules in many locations. My property for example I cannot get a physical address for unless I get power to the property. Weird. Can live in RV if I have septic. And an annual fee for that. Can do a well but the cost is twice as much as I paid for the property. Not legal to do rain barrels or cisterns. In other words, rural property with a lot of restrictions. And costly to live on it legally if I also want a physical address. For some properties I was looking at you could only stay for 2 months a year. Always research! Will I do a cistern and rain catch, yep. Some laws are stupid, that is one example I will ignore. But I will also do a legal well and legal septic. If you can find a deal on a property that also has power and a well that is nice. A lot of people are jealous of your setup!
It seems the only real way to live in the US without expense to the government is to live out of a back pack and roam the land like the Indians did a century and a half ago on foot.
Govt regulations on the local, state, and federal level have become large and over burdensome. It's the little shop of horrors on steroids. I try to be as debt free as possible and minimize extraneous expenses because cost of living will never go down.
So true, some laws are just made by total bullies and are just stupid! This is God's Earth after all, not people's, who can only "sleep on one bed at a time", even if they own 5.... No one human should have the right to rule over property that he is not working/exploring, and that he doesn't own and didn't belong to his grandparents or parents..... crazy, crazy system!
I have decided that, when laws are stupid and made by obvious bullies, I'll just ignore them. If I get caught doing something that hurts noone and no property (I actually like to leave places better than I found them), well then, I'll just say "Ok, sorry, I didn't know" and move on.... like one guy said "Don't ask for permissio, ask for forgiveness".... as long as you are not obviously trespassing, of course.....
Congrats to Mark. He seems to have figured it out. His Cargo Trailer build is the best build I have seen. Being able to camp half the year sounds great. BTW, a few years ago I debated the pros/cons of Tear Drops vs. Cargo Trailers. Tears Drops general have less than 4 of interior height, whereas Mark has 6' height in his trailer. Of course, Tear Drops cost $$$. Good job Mark and enjoy life.
I wonder if anyone has ever thought of trying to set up a site where landowners and nomads wanting a place to camp can find each other . I just looked at Hipcamp from a message a viewer mentioned . It would be great if we had something like that . I have land that lots of campers could come to & Id love to have some visitors . Even would consider long term for the right people . Also would love to barter work for camping . I’m not wanting to make money on it either , just as long as I can pay bills & come out even . I’m willing to share what GOD has blessed me with if someone really needs a place to camp . We need to be able to connect people but I barely know how to use internet . Thanks for opening up a line of communication with other human beings . It’s a great blessing to me .
This is EXACTLY what I thought of a few days ago. I have a little place and would like to have a little help with some light work and some campfire company. Haven't checked yet what county or township would say.
Maybe start by having a bathroom/laundry room and a communal kitchen available for campers, like a camping I stayed at for 3 months, many years ago. The laundry area just had a tank for hand wash, by the way, and there were only 2 toilets and 2 showers. But it was near a nice beach in Portugal and I like "roughing it" at times, so I loved it! I had 1 baby boy too 🙂....
I've read about people buying land and a little while after parking their rig, some zoning officer shows up and tells them they need to have a septic tank and a bunch of other "improvements" in order to stay on the land.
Mark should consider aquaponics for gardening or farming. It uses only about 10% of the water as farming in the ground not to mention the fish to eat. It can also be almost completely automated.
Great info! Thanks! I’m looking for a home base myself. Miss gardening but yes I need to keep moving for part of the year and see loved ones and different landscapes.
Sort of what I do. Live full time on the road in my truck camper but also renting to own 3 acres in NC. Just trying to figure if I want to buy it or not.
Worst possible time to buy land or any property. Prices are three times what they were two years ago. This bubble is about to pop and whatever you buy now will be worth significantly less in a year or two.
A good idea might be for several like-minded nomads to purchase and share a piece of property....share the expenses and have community! Maybe a video on that, Bob?
Excellent... Absolutely valuable information as expected. Hybrid living is definitely a great plan. I currently live in a seasonal RV Park but lived off grid for 7 years and work camped for 3 years. Hybrid is my future! Thanks for sharing, James
Being nomadic doesn't mean you can't own anything. Personally, I think its a great blessing to be in a position you can own a few real assets that should appreciate in value.
Writing from Canada here, I'll note that Arizona's great because you can drive a little and get climate changes by changing altitude rather than latitude, which can make for a good attitude. On flat ground in August, you might have to drive to Canada to get cool, but in Arizona you just go up.
Certain counties will not allow living in an rv unless you have a permit to build while staying in the rv. Alloidial title and a land patent is supreme ownership not rental as in paying land tax. If one pays with ten silver dollars/coins that’s ownership.
Here in Colorado we can get permits for rv on ur land and put in above ground septic and have it pumped ever so often and also bury a big tank for water...and yes, I have 2 weeks into my garden already because all of Aug. And Sept. Is all canning, fermenting, dehydrating and pickeling...a root cellar and u eat healthy all year...😁😁
5:20-ish -- Doctors I'm 74 and changed my eating habits to eating ONLY ruminate meat, salt and water. My laundry list of former "symptoms" has disappeared! ALL my numbers are good. I am no longer tied to a doctor!
Bob, These are some of the greatest videos you put on here! We love seeing Mark and keeping up with him! He has a very interesting story! He is a testament that it's not the end of the world when you lose a good job!
There seems to be enough people looking for land for part or full time living. As I look for land, I see sellers (real estate co usually) hv plots of land for sale. REC buys a huge plot of land then file for division to sell to individual plots of land. I say get ur friends together & buy the land urself & form a community helping to own the land cost & help each other but still hv ur own private living? Land has increased in price & as more people look to buy that will push land price even higher. Unfortunately gree has this country to where it's at. No 1 can rent it own anything for much longer. I'm in CA, looking to get out. Crazy CA, run!
This is something I've thought about. There is a lot to consider. Maybe someday I could buy land too... Wherever that is looks peaceful. Great video. I still have itchy feet but I think I might be developing the green thumb thing now too.
Very useful video. I was fortunate enough to buy a small piece of land in 2020 just as the pandemic started, before prices went crazy. I haven't developed it yet, but I like knowing it's there. I want to spend my retirement traveling, but i know I'll probably end up back in the states on that land in my last years.
FYI,,, The "best" place for SnowBirding is East San Diego county just West of the Salton sea... Winter temps out on the desert is really nice... several seasonal trailer parks very low cost utilities and rents... One location "salton City" is free camping... just down the road is a town... Summertime, just over the mounain to San Diego... No humidity moderate temps all year long...
I love finding gems like this video. Thanks to Bob Wells and to Mark, the landowner. I have searched up and down the West Coast states for land, even small lots in the Salton Sea area. The lots were affordable, but the area was questionable (demographically speaking). So, my search continues, and a commenter mentioned buying a foreclosed property, and I will research the idea.
This was on my mind today. Im glad TH-cam is reading minds.
Great video! I just want to comment on something I hear sometimes when people consider "off-grid" living on your own land. A lot of you think that you have to have a septic system - you don't! I bought a porta-potty. You can rent them too. Its not a disgusting public toilet, its yours... so you keep it clean. You'll find a port-potty company in your area to pump it out as needed... its cheap! Give this some thought as a cheap alternative to a septic system.
Not having water would be a pain as far as a garden is concerned. But the freedom of having your own land is worth the minuses.
We NEED a website or app to connect land owners with nomads. Just a peaceful place to park is all we want! Maybe build a tiny house.
Yes!
No, let's be real about tiny houses.
They are illegal almost everywhere.
And renting someones land to put it on leads to even more difficulty.
Now you have the city and the land owner to deal with.
Because I guarantee you many people will pop up in that app willing to rent you a space without city authorizing it.
And of course there are many that will rent you that space knowing damn well it is illegal in their city and then force you to move once they have your money.
@@DonIsadick-mf3gvthen we all need to learn mankind law and realize we are free men and women on this planet. We can find a way or we can wait a bit as these bureaucratic systems will fail.
No zoning, no permits in this county. Thankful for that. So many are overbearing government entities.
Freedom means little to no government.
@@DonIsadick-mf3gv The real question is: Why is it illegal to "camp" or tiny-house on property you own? Bet the pioneers who homesteaded the west would roll in their graves to learn how little freedom we have ---basically it's a government that hates human beings and thinks the world would be better without us. It makes homelessness practically a crime while at the same time promoting policies that both enable and prolong it. A variance to live on your own land and be grateful for it? It's just money for government waste.
#1 make sure you're not land locked having an easement to get to your property always.
Most jurisdiction's will not allow a piece of landlocked property to be sold unless it has a defined deeded easement into the property.
Also in an area I lived most of my life in rural areas for a property to be sold that may be used for a residence they made it to a point the property had to be at least 3 acres minimum in size.
I can remember two subdivisions within about 3 miles from each other that were built on like 1/2 acre lots with what would now be $350,000 and up homes that the water tables dropped and many of those people could not get enough water out of their wells no matter how deep they went to flush the toilet.
At that time there was no county water in that area and it was like 10+ years before those residents could get county water.
I think that was one of the main reasons the county instituted the acreage requirement because each time a new well is dug in close proximity to another well they are sharing the same aquifer and it is possible to many users will eventually result in not enough available water.
@@billwiley7216
Some areas in the west you are legally barred from getting a well permit. Two such places are San Luis Valley in Colorado and northern Arizona around Seligman.
Some areas you have to BUY a well permit! Utah and Nye County/Pahrump, Nevada. The dirt may be cheap, but it makes your land cost deceptive, and development becomes sketchy.
Yes I knew a woman who’d bought 80 acres in desert not even knowing she had no access legally . There was a road into her property but it went through another’s land and many years later he decided to fence off the land . Fortunately she went to court & the road had been used so many years the laws said it was considered a legal access road . It would have been a different outcome if the road had not been used for over 7 years . That’s over 30 years ago so laws may be changed now .
@@suesmith6770 she would have been able to file for an "easement by necessity," especially if she lived there.
Landlocked as in surrounded on all sides by private property? So that if you want to access your land you have to trespass someone else's private property?
What is an easement?
6 years offgrid . I started with a fithwheel rv , drilled a well then a septic . Solar , generator for big loads , tv antenna.woodstove,lpgas cook range ,I use my phone for internet . 3 years ago i started my cabin . Almost completely finished.
Doing the estetics now . All paid for .
It was a sacrifice ,
at times i wandered if i could finish
it . Money and time well spent .
Will be working on my overland 4x4 truck camper next .
Where are you?
@@nia6849Yeah, I am wondering too.
Good girl!
Where do you park and camp??
That's Excellent!!! So Happy for you CHEERS
I just bought land from the owner and it was wayyyyyyy easier than I thought it would be. I'm moving a shed cabin in next week and wish I'd done it sooner! Having a van has been great training.
Is there a specific website to look at the land ?
According to University of Arizone state University DOA.
"In the state of Arizona, it is legal to collect any rainwater that falls on your property for future use. Rainwater can be harvested in rain barrels or cistern systems that funnel rooftop runoff to water collection tanks."
I worked on cell towers. 1 tower does not send out signal 360 degrees. They probably cover about 180 degrees in 3 separate sections and sometimes they move the sections/coverage. So if you are reliant on one tower you might find yourself without signal. Carriers have coverage maps and sometimes you can find a tower map. Try to make sure you are covered by at least a few towers/carriers.
Experienced land buyer here.
1 ALWAYS look at the land first. Do not rely simply on photos or overviews. If you don't use a real estate agent, meet your Seller, if possible. FYI, online parties with websites are typically resellers and they mark-up the price they paid WAY, WAY above market levels.
2 Shop and use Sold prices the county can provide you until you understand area prices.
3 ALWAYS HAGGLE to get a fair price. Start at 20% under Asking price. YOU determine the value, NOT the Seller he can ask the moon if so inclined and some do.
Thank you kindly for your valuable tips.
Depends on how motivated the seller is. When I had to buy, in 2022, before interest rates took off, there was a LOT of competition amongst buyers, and if I made the asking-price offer, like most do, the place got sold out from under me, every time.
I finally made a more "aggressive" offer, a couple/few thousand above the asking price, and got the red carpet.
This same thing happened to me in 2013. I made out handsomely on that house, selling it in early 2022.
With the real estate market cooling a bit, and more people maybe in over their heads, haggling might work. But the seller has to be motivated. There can't be a line of people waiting to pounce on it.
Where would you say is a good area to buy land?
I've looked online in the county this land is on and they're all restricted use. Haven't found any I can just park my van on and live there. How would one find that?
For many years I have thought about forming a small group of like minded people to buy a large piece of land and divide it up into smaller lots for just this purpose. Buying a huge tract of land gets you more land for less money in most cases. You also could form a neighborhood watch to look after things when you are traveling or even trade turns working security to avoid paying anyone. Dividing the cost of building a road, digging wells, fencing in property for extra security, sharing gardening chores or animal care, etc are all optional and can be decided on by the group in advance. Like I said before, " like minded people" . Some would just want to be left alone while others may like a more community type existence. I am of the mindset that I don't want to be bothered much and won't bother you much either, but if you need me I will be there and it's nice to know there's someone I can call if I need to.
That sounds wonderful, something to consider not to mention affoordable! I like to be in my own space too.
I bought land, thinking this would be what my family wanted to do. We had talked about it, and decided I paid for the property and when the time came to move on the land they all backed out. Never made it to the 20. It’s in Texas out side El Paso. Found out they wanted me to do all work, pay for everything and it when all was completed then they wanted to come and just live there. My reply a big No. That was family how would it be with people you don’t know.
It’s important to have the right people in the community. I’m planning a similar project and my plan is to borrow the tenure system used in colleges. People can come and rent a unit of the community land to park their RV, or rent a tiny house, and they have to follow the basic human decency rules for five years to be eligible to buy that unit.
@@DAWN001 I have similar ideas and plans. How would you handle it if/when owners later want to sell their unit, and/or transfer it (to heirs upon sickness/death)? Would ownership be transferable or limited to thier lifespans? Would the community maintain a buy back fund or would it simply revert back to community property? What if owners died and their heirs proved 'undesirable' or were rulebreakers? Would it be run like an HOA?
you mean a commune? (just teasing) You're a beautiful soul.
Mark makes some very good points about the challenges of living off grid in a rural location. This is a great idea but it needs to be very carefully thought out, including your own financial, physical, and emotional abilities to solve problems.
Wow. Maybe someday I'll learn that too.
Most of my life I’ve been in a rural setting. Mark has essential points to chk on for sure! Especially water! That for me figuring that out is most important.
I appreciate this knowledge that these Kind Gentlemen have imparted and shared with Us All!!❤😊🌹
Living in Winslow has a direct bus route to Flagstaff but not if you live in Holbrook. Holbrook does allow tiny houses but they have to be larger and you can get around that by putting a deck on your tiny house
I bought one and a half acres up in California City sitting 3 years ago been living in my RV on the property I'm just now ready to do my above bed farming and life is so wonderful I'm almost debt-free
Northern California?
Nearish to Bakersfield I assume?
That's awesome!
This is a very smart man. I saw the earlier video of his trailer and I was so impressed at how perfect and tidy all the wiring was done. Now he shows us that awesome shed he built on his own. Great great work. I can’t wait to see the garden that he probably has planted by now. Looking forward to future videos of this nice man. Thanks Bob for the video!
Be careful buying land. Especially if the neighbors are a holes. They will fight you every step of the way. It makes it so much more difficult.
Really good advice.
Eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth! 🤷♂️ make them regret 😉
He should do the things to protect his property ( shed, utility trailer, anything inside shed, anything you keep out side. Thieves are everywhere and once they stakeout your place and find you are not there but only one season. My friend did what you are doing, but theives cleaned him out. Took everything in the shed and the flat bed trailer. It was not insured.
Sorrows. Property crime varies. Crimes of opportunity. Need extra security measures living rural.
if you have a good amount of property it would be helpful to have someone that you trust living there full time so that they can keep an eye on your homestead. If you give them low rent they will be there a long time.
That’s the part they always like to leave out.
Ugly situation , insurance , cameras and gps trackers are a must . Also the place can never be left un gaurded. I took a 10k hit a year ago and its tough to take.
Having a Base to come back to is an Amazing Feeling!
We own our place, and, God willing, won't Ever get rid of it!
I sold my land. It was a hassle to pay for property taxes and insurance when I don't really spend time there. If I need a place I'll go to an ltva with no strings attached. Some folks like yourself love having land. To each their own right
What is an Itva?
@@jankovac1 Long Term Visitor Area
Awesome, happy for Mark. I'm heading out on my 19 state, 7 month, 8,000 mile tour on Saturday...been planning this for 12yrs thanks to you Bob...nomad or bust! ❤
I am so happy for you. Have lots of fun.😊
@@shannoninalaska thanks
You won't bust nothin, just kidding 😂
Sounds awesome! Have a great trip!!!
I would really enjoy seeing you tube videos from mark about his progress and how he goes about everything. He’s already accomplished so much in just a year. If he does garden and have animals in this area it would benefit so many considering going in this area to see the real struggles. I bet he’d get a big following of subscribers and it could be a good side hustle for a bit of extra gas money lol. I wish we could have seen more of a tour of his place. Thanks Bob and Mark!
I agree!! He seems like an interesting guy and it would be great to see how his property evolves!!
I’m planning to create a channel like this. I’ve been living in my van for a couple of years and have a lot of suggestions, advice, and ideas from my own experiences. It’s good to know there are others who live as I do and enjoy it as I do.
I would love to see the videos🙌🏾
As usual, this is a very insightful video. Even at 87, there's hope to just have short trips to do birding or what ever with short trips and still keep a home base. But, I always need to have doctors handy and within reach. Really good video.
You could absolutely put something together that would include the considerations you mention!!
I'm 88 yrs young and thinking about it!
Been vanning around the US 30 years and always owned a piece of bare land to go relaxed on . Still have it today. Maybe when I get older (70 now) I will build something on it.
Happy trails
Donhippy You are right, l'm 70 too. A spot of land beats a nursing home which I could not afford anyway
I just bought 6 acres of community off'grid property in Arizona. It has no HOA but some County restrictions like you are required to have a small structure to live in rather than living in an RV. It's called the "Bridge Canyon Country Estates" and there are several estates with cheap land for many owners. There is a club house ( no dues) which you meet other like minded people. Septic is required and easy to install and water is a 2,500 gallon container. Most owners use solar and/or generator.
Very little restrictions and have your own garden! The old historic Route 66 is nearby, Flagstaff, and the Grand Canyon! I will continue to travel in my camper van and have a place when I'm ready to settle down. Land here runs about $3,000 and acre but I have seen it for less! You can buy 1 acre, 20 acres, whatever you want! Lots of large trees on the land, so you get plenty of shade!
I have just started to follow Bob, I find it fascinating. Most farms and houses that live off the grid in Australia have water tanks, One day I would like to pick up everything and get a camper van to go around Australia. Thank you for sharing your experience, everyone greetings from Australia.❤🙃🇦🇺👍
I'm in the US and have a few friends in Australia who live off the grid with their own chickens, crops, water towers.
Best to you! 🥰
Aussie Aussie Aussie, Oi Oi Oi - cheers from FNQ
Just buy a fifth wheel, did a septic system out, and prepare to store 10000 gallon of water for the year ... buy land close to a water source. And get some solar power. Start your little farm and a storage bunker for food and whatever. Life is good.
No water and can't drill a well. Even if you buy property where you are allowed to dig a well and a septic system it is outrageously expensive. Hauling water in and trash out. Not something that most people would think about doing.
For the right price, yeah maybe they will lol.
Capture rainwater. Lots of properties in AZ capture enough rainwater to grow gardens. Some counties do not require a septic. It will vary by county.
I get it, but i dont think that restrictions on camping on your own property and no drilling for your own water if piped water isnt available can hardly be considered good luck.
Queen size air mattress, hammock, induction stove,TV, microwave, PC, water,
I think this is a wonderful idea. I also looked into it but communities change the rules frequently and sometimes with little to no notice. It might be fine when you purchase to live off grid, but down the road you might find that you must build a sticks and bricks to a specific minimal size, and repair or even pave the road coming into your property -- to their specs. Also, power companies have been known to make you pay for a power pole all the way to your property even though it isn't used. The changes to rules and regulations involved in being static is what keeps me nomadic even though I miss gardening terribly. If one does invest in property. It would behoove you to attend all county meetings. Shenanigans begin once they see an increasing rural population that they can tap into for financial gain.
Yes, I just sold my home and thought I’d buy land or a tiny home to put somewhere while I travel but they make it so hard. And always ALWAYS changing.
Great idea about attending county meetings . I ought to do that IF I were able . Being a caregiver means being unable to leave home for more than a short while at a time .
I wouldn’t be able to afford a situation where I would be likely to have to deal w any of that. There are ways around most things. You don’t want to buy land that is likely to become subject to these scenarios soon. I will advise the realtor who is going to locate this land for me that these considerations exist. I also like the idea of renting 1 or 2 acres from someone rather than buying. We have a friend in NC who did this. The landowner died & left them their 2 acres in his will. 😊
100% this! There are numerous 'prepper' channels out there encouraging everyone to have an off-grid bugout home out in the rural parts. The truth is that you NEVER escape control in some form from the system, and you are neither anonymous nor in complete privacy just because you're out in the sticks. Just because the land is out in the middle of nowhere doesn't mean that you aren't being watched and that the state and county governments won't impose new rules, taxes, and other mandates on you. One might be surprised how many of these 'nomad' lands have manifold restrictions on what you can do. Some of them will not allow you to camp on the land beyond a certain amount of time per year, some do not allow RVs/trailers, some allow you to build only to their specifications, some impose strict rules about farming, water access/use, digging wells, and installation of plumbing systems/septic tanks. Some even claim rights to the trees on the property, and they may not allow you to trim the trees or cut them down if you want to. Or if THEY deem it necessary for any reason they declare to be emergent, they reserve the right to come on the property and cut down trees and cull or remove your animals. In other words, you're not as free to do with the land as you might think.
There is also the issue of access. Lots of naive first-time land buyers out there don't even think about this. If you decide to buy land make sure you have free and open access to it and that it isn't landlocked. Also, find out before you buy if you are required to pay for development of private access/roadway to the property. If you are hoping to hook up to existing power lines, they will make it so that you have to pay a small fortune for the utility company to drop poles and run wires to your property.
If you plan to use the land only occasionally you are still responsible for its upkeep and security. Consider that vagrants, thieves, meth heads, squatters, and vandals will come through and use and destroy the place and steal whatever they can move. You will need to be armed, and KNOW how to use what you have to defend yourself and the property; and especially these days, you should take this very seriously. A lot of folks are moving out of the cities into the rural areas and bad people and crime are everywhere now.
I do not recommend doing this unless you plan to live on the land full-time or most of the time, and if you are fully aware of all the potential pitfalls and ready for them. I looked into this for a long time but didn't do it because it wouldn't have worked for me. But I love watching videos of those who have done it and are doing it successfully. It reminds me of the pioneer lifestyle of 200 years ago, and I love that.
This is why I purchased land with a house already on it. Down in the south, there are very cheap deals. I purchased a house on an acre for 10 grand several years ago in Mississippi. The house isn’t in great shape so I’m usually in my fifth wheel anyway. But I avoid questions from the county because there’s already a house there.
Also takes care of the utility issue because utilities are already to the property and connected. Paid less for the whole property than what many people pay just to get utilities to their raw land once they’ve bought it.
As a snowbird from Illinois, I've often contemplated buying a patch of land in AZ to use, as you say, a home base. I recently bought a slide-in truck camper for future trips out there and am not as keen on the idea as I was. With thousands of acres of BLM land to camp on, why should I spend money on land? If I ever decide to do so, it would be just a place to park the truck, not make any improvements, as thieves and meth heads would destroy or steal whatever was there.
Until zoning shows up and fines you for occupancy of a property without a 600 gallon septic tank and a permanent dwelling that's up to code! In Colorado this would be illegal and you could get fined up to 1000 dollars a day!
I had watched countless videos and I have to the conclusion that having a minivan or a truck camper is cost effective . I always know from u tube that there are many many seniors including myself That may be able to purchase a 1 acre property but do not want to be by themselves especially not to see anybody for a few days on end because we are social creatures . I like bob's idea of co-op ownership where you're pretty much guaranteed that you're not gonna get kicked out or kicked off your property and that the cost of living there would be minimal.
Hi Bob, Maybe, do a video on what I call "docking station" homes in Solome, AZ. Many of the homes there are built around a transportable home of some sort. And, there are areas subdivided and still open with utility services, while allowing RV/van/trailer living.
As long as you buy from developer in salome. Otherwise la paz county turns into extremely costly place to develope a place for RV. Did check with county but rules changed apparently.
One thing to think about is perhaps getting an all year variance since they are available now. I watched a video yesterday where the rules changed during the time a person was working on his small cabin. Things change with municipalities/counties. Maybe nail it down now and be grandfathered in. Just a thought.
Mark mentioned that year round variances are an option for him.
@@Judygurl2 Yes, true Judy. I think it would be great for him to take that option.
What's a variance?
@@joseville I think it mean permission to not be subject to the standard rules of how long you're allowed to camp on your land.
@@MrKevnomi Yeah, that whole "camping on your own land" part in the video crinkled my nose. Even on your own land you can't just live, so many rules and zoning and restrictions.
I love gardening & that's what makes me want to buy land.
With water?
Hi Bob...years later, I'm still subscribed and still loving you and your channel! Asl always, thank you for all the terrific information!
Same here. Since I'm 88 ys old, I missed my chance but still enjoy watching Bob.
Great video! Thanks!!! I've long thought the best place to buy would be acreage with a destroyed house that would provide utilities, septic and an opportunity to build a new place on the remaining foundation.
It's doable like he says. Only thing to remember is it may be difficult to sell going forward, since it doesn't perc and you can't drill a well. But you can get land cheap like that too. Keep in mind chickens and other livestock will tie you down, and make it difficult to travel because someone needs to be there to care for them. Same thing goes for any improvements. If you're going to be traveling any part of the year whatever you change may be subject to vandalism. (chickens and rabbits can sustain you and your pets, but you have to have the stomach to process them.)
I have a home base. I built raised hugelkultur beds and they are green with spring edibles. I haven't got a 6x12 trailer just yet. I only pay taxes no debt.
I plan to live in the trailer. I catch rainwater, this year I doubled my water storage, I feel so rich!
A lot of well educated, smart engineers, sometimes with 2 or 3 ivy league masters degrees, PhDs, and sometimes multiple patents to their names have ended up in a tough situation. There is a major major problem in the tech industry (silicon valley level) you work for a large company, no matter how much you make, mr. tax man gets you. All your income is on a W2, no escaping uncle Sam. Also, when you're in a cutting edge industry like this man, chances are, you probably also live in a place that costs astronomical sums of money to rent a small hole in the wall apartment. So at the end of the day, you have a bunch of fancy college degrees possibly from ivy league schools, you have a fancy job, but you aren't effectively making or saving as much money as even an electrician or a plumber in the suburbs of a city does. I am in exactly the same boat as this man. I'm that guy with the fancy degrees, fancy job and patents to my name, but pinching pennies at the end of the month. Time to rethink my living strategy.
We need a video that explains what to ask the county. Which county is the best towards nomads and off grid?
Can the planning department and tell them your plans. They will have all the answers. It's actually a lot easier than you think.
I bought land in Klamath County Oregon. About 45 minutes east of Klamath falls.
A lot less restrictions. Actually no restrictions where I'm at. Can even have animals. Stay clear of anything with HOA fees.
Especially in Arizona, make sure your lot has access to a road and is not land-locked.
Maybe Bob should buy a couple hundred acres somewhere appropriate, and start Well's Ranch? A offseason safe landing spot for nomads as a community. Can't think of a more genuinely good guy to help others out. Strength in #'s kinda place to get off the road for a month or two. Just a thought Bob. If and when you settle down.
This would be what gets me out of my suburban home! I'm not confident enough to go it alone. I can buy a small piece of land, but need the strength in #'s you mentioned. Even better if Bob buys the land and brings all his friends to join in. Count me in!
That would be a huge headache for Bob. He has enough on his plate. Not saying it wouldn't be lovely. 😊
The only thing I would do differently is put a metal roof on the shed for rainwater collection. Almost have to have some on-site water in order to garden, and AZ does have monsoons where significant water could be collected.
I stay on BLM and nobody has ever called me for staying for a month in one spot until payday. A BLM cop told me all I have to do is move to the empty next door camp, I stay on national forest land for over 16 days and never been called out, I leave every month on payday, and sometimes come back and stay. ❤
Excellent video Bob. Thank you. You can't do enough research when buying land. Talk to the county, the town, check for covenants, are you subject to an HOA? And it goes on and on. But it is doable.
Bob’s explanation of nomads with itchy feet & green thumbs is perfect!
We just finalized land purchase in AZ only a couple weeks ago & visiting is a must! You cannot trust what an agent or land broker tells you. See the land & confirm the APN # with the county to ensure the piece of land is even where you’re GPS coordinates take you.
The other big thing is access to the property- can you get there? Does it run through a wash that floods in monsoon season? Is your property in the middle of someone else’s land with no road to access it?
A lot if things to consider & it took us a year of searching to find what we wanted in the zoning we needed, but we’re excited to work the soil again & focus on some hard homesteading.
Great information to discuss, especially for people looking to purchase land…. More videos like this please. 🙏🏽
Ive noticed in the comments that many are concerned about only being on the property for certain seasons because all your hard work on the property could be destroyed if someone noticed you were not there alot, and steal or destroy everything. There are many options for that scenario. You could make an arrangement with either other nomads or a local individual to manage the property when you are not there. Offering someone cheap or free rent to be the caretaker of the property is an option that many use. As you travel and look into purchasing a place to call your "home base", talk to people about your ideas and you are bound to find like-minded people that you can network with.
Bob be sure to advise your followers to check the ordinances of the county/parishes of their intended location(property) for restrictions. Could be a problem with nomadic lifestyle. Also love your videos. Want to downsize to combo tiny house nomad part time
Are you talking about something different than the “check with the county for zoning, etc” part? I need to know if there is something else they didn’t mention in this video that you’re referring to. I thought it was thorough and plan to share it with my “naysayers”🤷🏼♀️😅
Watch the entire video. They talk about this issue.
In Klammath County you can only camp on your land 21 one days every 6 months. And then your surrounded and locked in. And that can get very,very unpleasant when your surrounded by squidbillys ready to kill eat you. We got invaded by a cult and now our land is worthless and we are moving. Word to wise you need like 40 achers minimum. And what are we buying really but an illusion?🤔 Afew rich men made the lines in the woods and sold us a peice of paper telling us that we have permission to be there. Or not! I don't get it!🙏
System needs and will change. People have had it.
CheapRVliving I did enjoyed watching this episode! 12:29, hope your subs reaches 643K 😁. May God bless you, your family and all CheapRVliving fans 🤗🤗
great info!......always a super watch!!!!
Thanks Bob for having Mark on your channel . He is very knowledgeable about so many things. I wouldn't have thought about talking to the county before making my decision completely. From Central Oklahoma.
Very timely video as we are converting a cargo trailer and looking for land in Northern AZ! Thank you Bob and Mark! The information confirms what I have heard from others! Mark’s land looks beautiful!
I hope he thinks about putting up a carport to put the trailer under to keep it out of the sun. It'll make the trailer last longer. And it won't get rained on.
Thank you!
yes if you can aford it . the benefits out ways the cost
Mark has a good mindset on the long term plan
You-tube nomads should buy land together and make communities available for other nomads! Start a fund so low income folks can participate.
That sounds great, but most nomads that I know don't want to be near too many people. I just want a couple neighbors for emergency and safety concerns.
I’ve been expanding and improving a small cabin for about 12 years. It’s nearly done but it took easily 2x longer than my worst case estimate. But I insulated and wired and installed a composting toilet, installed cabinets and flooring and expanded the original footprint by about 8 feet. Once you get started you realize you need a stone driveway to keep the mud down, the outdoor shower is very unpleasant when weather is lousy, you want a kitchen with plumbing and appliances..... air conditioning, bigger and more robust (ie- bulletproof glass) windows that are impenetrable while you are away. Shade for outdoors..... the list starts growing. Nothing wrong with the shed approach but really consider how much you will want to maintain a lifestyle and what’s it going to cost. I would highly recommend a cement pad under the shed in case you ever want to convert it to living space. Much easier keeping critters out if there is a solid concrete barrier at ground level and up to the base of the wood structure.
I have wanted to do this for years. After doing an immense amout of research, I am putting my plans into motion. At this time, im taking care of my elderly parents, so I have to stick around one location. While I do that, I have acquired a 22ft travel trailer that I have parked in the back yard. Im in the process of gutting and rebuilding, and turning it into my nomad home. Video's like this one have been indispensable in helping me with ideas and avoiding common mistakes. One day, before too long, im going to be at one of your RTR's to shake your hand!😊
Love the shed idea! Especially as it would open up options for more food storage. I would love to have a home base with the ability to park a deep freezer, do some fermenting, and such. Fermenting things like sauerkraut and kombucha in my RV has so far been a significant failure.
Love kombucha!!❤
I put buying land first! Where I am at Mohave County Arizona you can still buy land with a fairly low down and monthly payment! You can still live on property out in the county in an RV. The big hurdle is you have to put a septic in first! Not sure but you might be able to get around that with a composting toilet.
I chose to put the septic in (3500 at the time) and hook up to the county water (1000 dollars at the time plus cost of Pex and assorted fittings). Being in an RV they wanted to gouge me 1500 just to hook up to the power. RV's aren't considered as full time housing so they can charge a hookup fee. Add the hookup fee, cost of a power pole (800 plus) then the trenching, wire and conduit, Rv connection and it gets to 3,000 plus dollars pretty quickly. I waved my middle finger at that and went solar!
Once I hit social security age I plan on hitting the road a bit. My monthly living cost even with the property payment are extremely small. A person would be hard pressed to be able to live for less than I do. I live in between Kingman and Bullhead in Golden Valley. So, it's not like you are a great distance from a city! It can be a hurdle though if your transportation goes out. It's still doable though thanks to online shopping and having an address you live at to have it delivered to! On medicaid you can take a medical taxi to appointments or if a veteran DAV schedules medical rides.
Seems like this lifestyle is pretty much restricted to the South West or at least wintering south. Property is more expensive up here too (Minnesota.) But other ideas related to Nomadic life are useful to us non-nomads. I've learned about battery (Bluetti) and portable solar panels (folding Rowerness 120w) for my motorcycle camping with my dog and sidecar. I started out following more glamorous adventurers who seem to make a lot of money with their channel. But the older nomads you focus on have more practical things to share. I am 69 and just got into motorcycle travel the same year I got my first motorcycle..
You should do some videos on yourself camping. Sounds like u have Alot to teach others.
Not much public land in MN where you can live this lifestyle that's for sure.
Ikiru , you're a rockin Dude!
The laws and codes are crazy. RV living with property has a ton of rules in many locations. My property for example I cannot get a physical address for unless I get power to the property. Weird. Can live in RV if I have septic. And an annual fee for that. Can do a well but the cost is twice as much as I paid for the property. Not legal to do rain barrels or cisterns. In other words, rural property with a lot of restrictions. And costly to live on it legally if I also want a physical address. For some properties I was looking at you could only stay for 2 months a year. Always research! Will I do a cistern and rain catch, yep. Some laws are stupid, that is one example I will ignore. But I will also do a legal well and legal septic. If you can find a deal on a property that also has power and a well that is nice. A lot of people are jealous of your setup!
It seems the only real way to live in the US without expense to the government is to live out of a back pack and roam the land like the Indians did a century and a half ago on foot.
Govt regulations on the local, state, and federal level have become large and over burdensome. It's the little shop of horrors on steroids. I try to be as debt free as possible and minimize extraneous expenses because cost of living will never go down.
So true, some laws are just made by total bullies and are just stupid! This is God's Earth after all, not people's, who can only "sleep on one bed at a time", even if they own 5.... No one human should have the right to rule over property that he is not working/exploring, and that he doesn't own and didn't belong to his grandparents or parents..... crazy, crazy system!
I have decided that, when laws are stupid and made by obvious bullies, I'll just ignore them. If I get caught doing something that hurts noone and no property (I actually like to leave places better than I found them), well then, I'll just say "Ok, sorry, I didn't know" and move on.... like one guy said "Don't ask for permissio, ask for forgiveness".... as long as you are not obviously trespassing, of course.....
permission*
The first minute -- I'm sold.
This must close the loop for a lot of us.
GREAT video! Explains in words I can’t!
SHARING!
Congrats to Mark. He seems to have figured it out. His Cargo Trailer build is the best build I have seen. Being able to camp half the year sounds great. BTW, a few years ago I debated the pros/cons of Tear Drops vs. Cargo Trailers. Tears Drops general have less than 4 of interior height, whereas Mark has 6' height in his trailer. Of course, Tear Drops cost $$$. Good job Mark and enjoy life.
So practical!
I wonder if anyone has ever thought of trying to set up a site where landowners and nomads wanting a place to camp can find each other . I just looked at Hipcamp from a message a viewer mentioned . It would be great if we had something like that . I have land that lots of campers could come to & Id love to have some visitors . Even would consider long term for the right people . Also would love to barter work for camping . I’m not wanting to make money on it either , just as long as I can pay bills & come out even . I’m willing to share what GOD has blessed me with if someone really needs a place to camp . We need to be able to connect people but I barely know how to use internet .
Thanks for opening up a line of communication with other human beings . It’s a great blessing to me .
This is EXACTLY what I thought of a few days ago. I have a little place and would like to have a little help with some light work and some campfire company. Haven't checked yet what county or township would say.
Maybe start by having a bathroom/laundry room and a communal kitchen available for campers, like a camping I stayed at for 3 months, many years ago. The laundry area just had a tank for hand wash, by the way, and there were only 2 toilets and 2 showers. But it was near a nice beach in Portugal and I like "roughing it" at times, so I loved it! I had 1 baby boy too 🙂....
I so wanted to buy some land and live in an RV on it. Imagine my surprise to find out it is heavily against the law. So much for freedom.
This guy worked at SpaceX. No bigger +rep! Dude is a genius rockstar, and living off-grid!!!
I've read about people buying land and a little while after parking their rig, some zoning officer shows up and tells them they need to have a septic tank and a bunch of other "improvements" in order to stay on the land.
Mark should consider aquaponics for gardening or farming. It uses only about 10% of the water as farming in the ground not to mention the fish to eat. It can also be almost completely automated.
That’s a great idea! Little learning curve but would definitely be a great option in his location!
Then he'd have to find someone to take care of it when he's gone for months at a time.
Great info! Thanks! I’m looking for a home base myself. Miss gardening but yes I need to keep moving for part of the year and see loved ones and different landscapes.
Sort of what I do. Live full time on the road in my truck camper but also renting to own 3 acres in NC. Just trying to figure if I want to buy it or not.
Well if you have a rent to won clause you have a big advantage. plus your rent won't go up. But in other places rent will go up.
Good luck.
Our Rent keeps going up. It's insane. How do you find any rent to own that aren't scams ?
Bob you meet and interview the nicest people!
And what a blessing you are to those of us learning from these videos! Thank u for sharing
Worst possible time to buy land or any property. Prices are three times what they were two years ago. This bubble is about to pop and whatever you buy now will be worth significantly less in a year or two.
If it's worth less does that make it easier to buy
I have 16 acres I don’t utilize (northern Michigan). Considering staying In summer and fall.
Nomad for winter when the snow flies.
A good idea might be for several like-minded nomads to purchase and share a piece of property....share the expenses and have community! Maybe a video on that, Bob?
The night sky must be breathtaking. Thanks for the great tips
I"m happy to see this series starting! Especially when I had just re-watched the Should you Buy Land Video yesterday.
i wonder about security while away for a long time - i'm thinking possible vandalism
depending where you get it may have squatters move on it while your gone
Excellent...
Absolutely valuable information as expected. Hybrid living is definitely a great plan. I currently live in a seasonal RV Park but lived off grid for 7 years and work camped for 3 years. Hybrid is my future!
Thanks for sharing,
James
Being nomadic doesn't mean you can't own anything. Personally, I think its a great blessing to be in a position you can own a few real assets that should appreciate in value.
Writing from Canada here, I'll note that Arizona's great because you can drive a little and get climate changes by changing altitude rather than latitude, which can make for a good attitude. On flat ground in August, you might have to drive to Canada to get cool, but in Arizona you just go up.
Certain counties will not allow living in an rv unless you have a permit to build while staying in the rv. Alloidial title and a land patent is supreme ownership not rental as in paying land tax. If one pays with ten silver dollars/coins that’s ownership.
Great work on this video!
Here in Colorado we can get permits for rv on ur land and put in above ground septic and have it pumped ever so often and also bury a big tank for water...and yes, I have 2 weeks into my garden already because all of Aug. And Sept. Is all canning, fermenting, dehydrating and pickeling...a root cellar and u eat healthy all year...😁😁
5:20-ish -- Doctors
I'm 74 and changed my eating habits to eating ONLY ruminate meat, salt and water. My laundry list of former "symptoms" has disappeared! ALL my numbers are good. I am no longer tied to a doctor!
Not every county in AZ requires septic. Check Frugal living AZ
Bob, These are some of the greatest videos you put on here! We love seeing Mark and keeping up with him! He has a very interesting story! He is a testament that it's not the end of the world when you lose a good job!
There seems to be enough people looking for land for part or full time living. As I look for land, I see sellers (real estate co usually) hv plots of land for sale. REC buys a huge plot of land then file for division to sell to individual plots of land. I say get ur friends together & buy the land urself & form a community helping to own the land cost & help each other but still hv ur own private living? Land has increased in price & as more people look to buy that will push land price even higher. Unfortunately gree has this country to where it's at. No 1 can rent it own anything for much longer. I'm in CA, looking to get out. Crazy CA, run!
#1...Watch out for HOAs...Home owner association fees and those stupid, terrible covenants!! Stay Away!!
I imagine land like this doesn’t have an HOA. CCRs maybe but not an HOA.
HOA ? Steer clear, and take nothing for granted Ask the questions. Questions are free! Happy trails all 🙏🏼🐾🎶
Check if the road to the land is maintained.if it is maintained, it may have a monthly fee.
Yup people buy land and will sell you some but they have an existing HOA.
This is something I've thought about. There is a lot to consider. Maybe someday I could buy land too... Wherever that is looks peaceful. Great video. I still have itchy feet but I think I might be developing the green thumb thing now too.
Better find some land with water available then......
@@1mourningdove54 Thanks! I never thought about that one! So much to learn so I'm glad there are so many geniuses in the comment section!
Very useful video. I was fortunate enough to buy a small piece of land in 2020 just as the pandemic started, before prices went crazy. I haven't developed it yet, but I like knowing it's there. I want to spend my retirement traveling, but i know I'll probably end up back in the states on that land in my last years.
FYI,,, The "best" place for SnowBirding is East San Diego county just West of the Salton sea... Winter temps out on the desert is really nice... several seasonal trailer parks very low cost utilities and rents...
One location "salton City" is free camping... just down the road is a town... Summertime, just over the mounain to San Diego... No humidity moderate temps all year long...
Advice to buy from another state would really help when you have no way to check yourself. Thank You someone we could trust like yourself.
It’s beautiful there. Sounds like a great life.
I love finding gems like this video. Thanks to Bob Wells and to Mark, the landowner. I have searched up and down the West Coast states for land, even small lots in the Salton Sea area. The lots were affordable, but the area was questionable (demographically speaking). So, my search continues, and a commenter mentioned buying a foreclosed property, and I will research the idea.