My wife and I are currently living off-grid in AK. For a number of reasons, we're likely to leave next year. If we don't want to endure another winter, we have to get started on leaving in the spring to ensure we can get out of here. At the same time, we've discussed reasons to stay and one of them is, what if there's major social upheav…
My wife and I are currently living off-grid in AK. For a number of reasons, we're likely to leave next year. If we don't want to endure another winter, we have to get started on leaving in the spring to ensure we can get out of here. At the same time, we've discussed reasons to stay and one of them is, what if there's major social upheaval? What if there's mass civil unrest? Do we really want to be in the Lower 48 where there are *more* people? We are pretty isolated out here, so we'd be able to avoid a lot. At the same time, if civilization does start to crumble, do we really want to be in such an inhospitable place? If the cost of fuel were to jump, we'd be facing major challenges with electricity and heat during the long, cold winter.
Wow, it’s amazing to connect with someone dealing with the same exact calculations. My thoughts tumble along the same lines. Another feature that caused me to apply the brakes on listing my property was the weird stagnant real estate market for both buyers and sellers. Even if I sold my place, I’m not eager to pay current exorbitant rents or mortgage interest rates that are common on the west coast. My place is ineligible for a mortgage because it has water access only and no utilities, which results in a very small pool of potential buyers; they’d have to have cash, without even the option of taking out their own second mortgage on an existing residence - because of interest rates. On the other hand, I’m not getting any younger, and as you know it’s a rigorous lifestyle. I do pretty well with solar (except during the shortest days of winter) for electricity, and plentiful free wood for warmth. But it’s a lot of work. And medically risky at age 71. Are you optimistic about selling your place?
I think we have some reason to be optimistic. It's a great property for recreational purposes. It's 20 acres that's remote enough to feel like you're away from the city, but only 45 min drive to most things you need (10 min. to the local post office and gas stations). We live near a major recreation and tourist spot on a mountain (10 min. in the other direction). Our property is bordered on 2 sides by public state land (must be 1000s of acres) and an established sledding/atv trail runs across the southern border. This is the kind of place that, if you don't live here year-round, you come with friends and family in the summer, park you RV and ATV trailer, then ride right off the property into the Alaska wild for all sorts of fun. It would potentially make a great rental property for summer tourists that want to hunt and recreate. Still, we have a lot invested in this and can't afford much of a loss. I'm hoping as the economy rebounds from COVID/Ukraine/etc. and interests rates come down, someone out there will want to shell out for a summer place like this.
More similarities. I’m surrounded by private “industrial” forest land. I have access to hiking on miles of logging roads that are closed to public vehicle use. Amazingly, once I boat 5 minutes to my car, I’m a 5 minute drive to Costco! It’s an odd juxtaposition. I have the same hopes, about attracting outdoor enthusiasts. And I’m one mile from the Pacific Ocean. But I had two realtors “ghost” me; I think their assessment is it’s too much work, for their commission compared to a residence in town. So I may have to sell it myself, when the time comes. It will be interesting to see what the future holds, one way or another.
My wife and I are currently living off-grid in AK. For a number of reasons, we're likely to leave next year. If we don't want to endure another winter, we have to get started on leaving in the spring to ensure we can get out of here. At the same time, we've discussed reasons to stay and one of them is, what if there's major social upheaval? What if there's mass civil unrest? Do we really want to be in the Lower 48 where there are *more* people? We are pretty isolated out here, so we'd be able to avoid a lot. At the same time, if civilization does start to crumble, do we really want to be in such an inhospitable place? If the cost of fuel were to jump, we'd be facing major challenges with electricity and heat during the long, cold winter.
Wow, it’s amazing to connect with someone dealing with the same exact calculations. My thoughts tumble along the same lines. Another feature that caused me to apply the brakes on listing my property was the weird stagnant real estate market for both buyers and sellers. Even if I sold my place, I’m not eager to pay current exorbitant rents or mortgage interest rates that are common on the west coast. My place is ineligible for a mortgage because it has water access only and no utilities, which results in a very small pool of potential buyers; they’d have to have cash, without even the option of taking out their own second mortgage on an existing residence - because of interest rates. On the other hand, I’m not getting any younger, and as you know it’s a rigorous lifestyle. I do pretty well with solar (except during the shortest days of winter) for electricity, and plentiful free wood for warmth. But it’s a lot of work. And medically risky at age 71. Are you optimistic about selling your place?
I think we have some reason to be optimistic. It's a great property for recreational purposes. It's 20 acres that's remote enough to feel like you're away from the city, but only 45 min drive to most things you need (10 min. to the local post office and gas stations). We live near a major recreation and tourist spot on a mountain (10 min. in the other direction). Our property is bordered on 2 sides by public state land (must be 1000s of acres) and an established sledding/atv trail runs across the southern border. This is the kind of place that, if you don't live here year-round, you come with friends and family in the summer, park you RV and ATV trailer, then ride right off the property into the Alaska wild for all sorts of fun. It would potentially make a great rental property for summer tourists that want to hunt and recreate. Still, we have a lot invested in this and can't afford much of a loss. I'm hoping as the economy rebounds from COVID/Ukraine/etc. and interests rates come down, someone out there will want to shell out for a summer place like this.
More similarities. I’m surrounded by private “industrial” forest land. I have access to hiking on miles of logging roads that are closed to public vehicle use. Amazingly, once I boat 5 minutes to my car, I’m a 5 minute drive to Costco! It’s an odd juxtaposition. I have the same hopes, about attracting outdoor enthusiasts. And I’m one mile from the Pacific Ocean. But I had two realtors “ghost” me; I think their assessment is it’s too much work, for their commission compared to a residence in town. So I may have to sell it myself, when the time comes. It will be interesting to see what the future holds, one way or another.
My wife and I wish you the best of luck.
Thank you! And the same back to you both!