I Bought LAND as a VAN Life HOME BASE! Should YOU?

Summary

In this engaging video, the narrator shares their experience of purchasing a 20-acre plot in Northern Arizona, either in Cocono or Pache County. The land, situated at an elevation of 6,000 feet, offers a lush environment with trees, a significant upgrade from their previous 1-acre barren lot. The property features a Cinder driveway, an old trailer, and ample space for an outdoor kitchen, which the narrator has set up under a tarp. They also discuss the challenges of water access in the area and their solution of hauling water using a 55-gallon drum and a 275-gallon IBC tote. The narrator outlines their reasons for buying the land, including a future place to settle, legal residency, emergency preparedness, and establishing a home base for their nomadic lifestyle. They also mention the presence of a 40-foot container for storage and the joy of having a meadow on the property. The video concludes with encouragement for viewers to consider land ownership, highlighting the affordability and the potential to find land through websites like land.com.

Takeaways

• 🏞️ The speaker has purchased a 20-acre land parcel in either Coconino or Pache County, Arizona, which is a significant amount of land in the area.
• 🌳 The land was chosen for its abundance of trees, which was important to the speaker, as opposed to their previous 1-acre barren lot.
• 🚗 A pre-existing Cinder driveway on the property is a valuable asset that saved the speaker a significant amount of money.
• 🍳 The speaker has set up an outdoor kitchen using a 20x20 tarp, which has proven to be a great space for socializing and cooking.
• 💧 Water is a critical resource in this part of Arizona, and the property relies on water being hauled in, as installing a well is not a viable option.
• 🛠 The property includes a 40-foot container (referred to as a 'conex') that provides substantial storage space and is a valuable addition to the land.
• 🔨 The speaker is in the process of making improvements, such as a permanent outdoor kitchen structure and rainwater catchment system.
• 👮‍♂️ Having a legal address on the land is important for the speaker to maintain insurance and legality while living in an unconventional residence.
• 🌡️ The land is seen as a safe haven in the event of climate change or natural disasters due to its location and resources.
• 🏡 The property serves as a home base for the speaker, who identifies as a 'snowbird' and plans to travel seasonally while still having a permanent place to return to.
• 💰 The speaker suggests that purchasing land is achievable for many people through affordable down payments and manageable monthly payments, and recommends land.com as a resource for finding available land.

Q & A

What is the size of the land purchased by the speaker?

The speaker purchased a 20-acre chunk of land in either Cocono or Pache County, Arizona.

Why did the speaker want a larger piece of land with trees?

The speaker wanted a larger piece of land with trees because their previous 1-acre lot near North Flagstaff was barren of trees, and they wanted to be on land with a whole bunch of trees.

What is the material of the driveway on the new land?

The driveway on the new land is made of Cinder, which was brought in by the last owner.

What does the speaker plan to do with the old trailer on the land?

The speaker does not explicitly mention plans for the old trailer, but they do mention wanting to create an outdoor kitchen on the land.

How does the speaker plan to manage water on the land?

The speaker plans to haul in water using a 55-gallon drum and a 275-gallon IBC water tote. They also mention the possibility of implementing rain catchment off a future metal roof.

What are the four primary reasons the speaker bought the land?

The four primary reasons are: 1) To have a place to settle down when they get too old to be on the road, 2) To have a legal address for insurance and official purposes, 3) To have a safe place in case of emergencies or climate change-related disasters, and 4) To establish a home base while still being a nomad and traveling for part of the year.

What is the speaker's view on the importance of having a home base?

The speaker believes that having a home base is very important as it provides a place of stability and legality, and a safe haven to return to during certain times of the year or in case of emergencies.

What is the purpose of the 40ft container on the property?

The 40ft container, also referred to as a conex, serves as a large storage space on the property. The speaker mentions plans to organize it with shelves.

How does the speaker manage to keep mice away from their camp?

The speaker uses a combination of keeping the hood of their vehicle closed and using lights at night to deter mice from the camp.

What is the speaker's advice for others who might be interested in buying land?

The speaker suggests that interested individuals can likely afford land if they can manage monthly payments, typically in the range of $100 to $200. They recommend checking websites like land.com for available land.

What is the general process for buying land in rural areas as described by the speaker?

The general process involves a small down payment, usually around $200, followed by affordable monthly payments that the buyer can manage. This approach is designed to make it easier for people to invest in land.