I worked for years at my last job, the pay was good, the hours long and the pressure felt like a barrel of bricks crushing my chest. I worked second shift, usually ten hours a day six days a week. Work, sleep five hours get up and go to work again, the drudgery was nearly unbearable. Everyday I felt like I was going to cry, this was no life.
After the company moved abroad, I had to figure out how to make ends meet. Finding another job paying as much was impossible at the time, my only alternative was to live on a lot less money.
That is how I ended up living passed the power lines, in a travel trailer. It was not about survival or emergency preparedness; it was about gaining control over my life, being ready for disaster is just a natural extension from the whole.
It’s not a bad life, albeit lonely at times. Most women are not programmed to live like this, finding a compatible mate becomes rather difficult, once you move off grid. You, guys that think about doing this should forget about the wife coming alone for the ride, very few will, you will be on your own. I know it hurts, but the truth always does.
My trailer is 20 six feet long and it seems cramped at times. In the summer with the door and windows open it is as big as the world outside, but during the cold months cabin fever can set in quickly. When living in this limited space, making every inch count becomes essential to maintaining ones sanity.
Simple things like keeping everything need, clean and organized goes along way, toward maintaining normalcy. A sink full of dirty dishes or unmade bed looks like a huge mess. Everything should have a place and should be cleaned and put up after use.
The bookshelf that I built to fill this unused space under the kitchen table.
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Finding a spouse who WANTS to live in the sticks is very challenging. Have to have an independent, adventurous spirit who is not afraid of hard work, and genuinely love life beyond the sidewalks.
The women I found who were rurally raised by a vast majority wanted a change to live in The Big City because they were already tired of living that way before. I'm betting a few years in the new surroundings would change a few minds – hopefully, they have the power to move back.
Believe me, we are out here. I am a girl stuck in the city that would gladly give it up to find a guy who appreciates that I can live thrifty, and wants to homestead.
Hi,I'm George 58 single,trucker with a bad back and time for a changed lifestyle.I am a strong believer in Jesus Christ and excited about what God might bring my way.I have been single 15 years and really want a wife.I am going to buy probably a fifth wheeler,at least 30' with at least one large slider.I plan to live this way quite a while unless change comes.I am in Vancouver,Washington,and hate the big city.I am thinking of living in TheDalles,Oregon,or Goldendale,Wash.or mabee WallaWalla if I still have to work.Right now I am on an L and I claim for my back and waiting to see if SSD will retire me or not ,so I have to get set up to live cheaper.I will look for a caretaker free rent situation,but will start in rv parks.I would like to travel and go south in the winter ,but will probably not without a woman to share it with.I live very clean,and I'm a good housekeeper-cook.I am 6'2"but thin, so concerned with a trailer being too small–I would like to get a 35' or so,with mabee two slides.I would thank anyone for their ideas or sugestions.Pager 360-992-7111 or e-mail lowry.george@gmail.com Thank you and God Bless All George
George:
Check out The Caretaker Gazette (Gary Dunn, owner) it even has international listings.
I’m living in Malaysia right now in a 6-room “guesthouse” (sort of a low-cost motel for travellors) I manage it in exchange for free rent.
Believe it or not, it’s possible to live here in the southeast Asia countries for as little as $150/month (your own house)….IF you live & eat like the locals (ie. rice, fish, chicken)
If you don’t mind sharing a room with someone, we have rooms here for as low as $35/month
I am unemployed now going on a year. Own a home by my self. It is starting to pile up. I told myself at the start of unemployment if I cashed in my bucket of change then it would be time for a change. The beauty of all of this extra baggege is I have a 18ft camper which is small but outweighs the stress of trying to figure out how a guy with limited schooling, who has worked with his hands and common sense his whole life can make enough to sustain a previous lifestyle of $60,000 a year. I have read alot of these blogs and am finding it to be really helpful. My biggest step is deciding how to get rid of decades of city dewelling accumulation. The basics of having more room than you need.
I think the most important piece of advice your blog has ever offered is”Never Quit”
I know you have a appreciation for martial arts and the philosophy behind them. I would beg,whine,cry to avoid conflict with a adversary. I would run away if given the chance. If martial force becomes necessary I will send my aggressor to the afterlife or oblivion as quickly and efficiently as possible.
No mercy whatsoever. To spare a predator is to invite a better attack next time. After all I begged and tried to run away. He had his chance. If my aggressor manages to best me the last thing I will do before I lose consciousness is bite him on the foot!
If you don’t have a “Never Quit” frame of mind it won’t matter how much food you have stored. I am a big fan of your writings. You show a maturity way beyond your years. Student of Silat since 1966.
That is where you are wrong I am a wife who is about to make that change from a house to a travel trailer with my Hubby. I posted a comment on your last post about Homesteading this morning and alot has change since I posted that comment. We found us some Land that is in our Budget & my kids are old enough to be on their own but if they choose to move with us than they will have to get their own trvel trailers to put out on the Land. The way I see it, it’s not only his dream to Homestead on our own land but it’s our dream, I love my Hubby & we are in this togather. I would reather Live & work off my own land than work for anyone else. We will build us a very small place but we will pay for it, no Banks, no loans no nothing just us Build as we go.
SO YOU ARE WRONG WOMEN DO & WILL LIVE LIKE THAT IF ONLY THATS WHAT IS IN THEIR HEART.
I said most women – there are exceptions. Most women as well as men will not live this way unless they have no other choice.
true, very true. I do know of some men that can’t handel it. Sorry.
I’m moving into a 8×12 camper.I’m 58 and I sick of the big city.And space hints.Thanks
Hi, have you moved into your 8 x 12 yet? I’m moving into a 7 x 14 in a week or so, I feel pretty good about it, but it will take some adjusting. I was just wondering how you’ve adapted.
We (wife & I) bought a 23 ft trailer and have added a free camper on our old 79 Chevy PU. We have lived in the trailer for 3 months and since we have Grandkids come to stay often, we found we could use some extra space. We found a free camper on Craigs list and after a few repairs we will be a two bedroom trailer trash couple! We are interested in getting out of debt more than living the lifestyle of the rich and famous. Prepairing for the obvious crash a day soon and enjoying the togetherness. We can be ready to bug out to wherever we feel led to go in a few hours. It beats a tent.
Ive just recently divorced, moved from a 2700 sq. ft. house to a 2005 33′ Jayco. Im ready to get off the wheel, have less and live more. I want to own my life and do not want my things to own me. Houses and all the trimings take way too much time and energy to maintain….
I can appreciate the situation. I am 59, ready to chuck it all and buy some small acre or two in Northern Arizona, and an old Shasta (20 foot) would serve very well. More with less? Absolutely. The average person can get by with very very little, we need to measure our quality of life and contentment………rather than- whoever can die with the most toys wins.
Living off the grid isnt for everyone, what we may view as peace and quiet in the country, some could see as hardship and deprivation being seperated from shopping malls and “civilization”.
I am the one who wants to do this, my husband does not! I actually did this in my early twenties and loved it. Lived in california for two yrs and couldnt afford to live there any other way.. Great times. Lived in large cities and 13 yrs ago moved to the country love it but wish we had a smaller home and could work less. I’m the gypsie and he is the country boy!
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