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OwenChristensen
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# Posted: 3 Apr 2014 07:30
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What's stopping you?
My cabin is about sixty miles from any city. The closest small town is twenty miles. I figured a bare bones budget and I'd need $24,000 a year to eat, clothe, repair and pay real estate taxes for the two of us. My retirement isn't enough. Making the difference up seems impossible as there is so few to work for or sell to in that area.
Here in a small city, I can make up the financial shortfall easy, even though it takes about fifteen thousand more. I don't want to sell out here to just to see my savings gradually disappear at the cabin.
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stickbowcrafter
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# Posted: 3 Apr 2014 07:38
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What's stopping us? We're not retired LOL and have too long to go to even discuss it. But we do anyway, we have big plans to sell this big house after the kids are gone and split our time and seasons between the farm and hopefully a maintenance free condo somewhere warm.
Best of luck to you O.C.
-Brian
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vacabin
Member
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# Posted: 3 Apr 2014 07:50
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Owen with your building skills im sure you could come up with a creative idea to supplement your income.
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OwenChristensen
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# Posted: 3 Apr 2014 08:06
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Maybe, I just don't see any market in that area. I suppose I could help develop cabin properties. Maybe I'm selfish, but I don't want to see too much. I have thought about offering remote cabin rentals.
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silverwaterlady
Member
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# Posted: 3 Apr 2014 08:14
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I'm to young to retire.
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neb
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# Posted: 3 Apr 2014 08:42
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OC is health care included in your cost of living? That is the big item ticket unless you are 65.
Retirement and wealth to me is TIME! Time to do what ever I want and when I want to do it.
I have thought about this often and want to retire in 3 years but still will have 6 years to the 65 mark so health insurance would be affordable for me.
I will maybe never really retire and at this time time plan to do something part time even when I retire from my career job.
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toyota_mdt_tech
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# Posted: 3 Apr 2014 09:01 - Edited by: toyota_mdt_tech
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My cabin is in an area that is semi remote too. A trip to town and back is 1.5 hours and 50 miles roundtrip. I'd like to retire there also. But there is not much work there, mostly farming. I dont want to work on cars after I retire. But still want a shop, hoist etc and keep all my tools. Taxes are hardly anything now, ie for my 20 acres with dues, comes to $350 a year, I'm about to add the adjacent 20 acres for an additional $32 in taxes, $150 in dues. Still cheap. I own the land/cabin outright and own my home I live in outright and have zero debt now. I told the wife, when I start the build process, we have to follow through (build a house, wont live in my cabin) and then the taxes will go up and will be permanent. So we'd have to commit. I'm 8 yrs min from retirement wife is 5 yrs older, so she has even less. But I wont necessarily retire right at 62. Just going to play it by ear and go from there.
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hattie
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# Posted: 3 Apr 2014 11:55
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We added a 3 unit motel to our cabin and rent it out to help supplement our small retirement income. It doesn't pay much, but certainly made a difference between semi-retiring early or waiting 10 more years. We've never regretted it.
Our closest stores (grocery, hardware, Sears outlet, drug store, dollar store) are 19 km away. We try to only go into town once a week. We have lots of pantry/food storage space in our place as well as a huge fridge and freezer.
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jbos333
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# Posted: 3 Apr 2014 12:25
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I am nowhere near retirement age...but I am working toward the goal of living at my place full time hopefully well before retirement age. There's not much in the way of employment (decent paying anyhow). I could commute to my current job, which is 50 miles each way (10 miles each way from my "regular" house). But I'm trying to get some side business started that can be based out of the "cabin" property- no cabin there yet though.
I am 42, single. Own my current home outright. Have been saving and/or working on "cabin" property for a while now. Looking to build cabin out of pocket. That way I owe nobody but the tax man. Which is quite a bit here in NY state.
Of course, one of the big hurdles to overcome is health care, if I can sustain myself in every other way, that could be the deal breaker that could prevent me from enjoying my land sooner than later.
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Wilbour
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# Posted: 3 Apr 2014 13:14
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I have been blessed in so many ways. I stayed in my government job during the high tech boom making less than most of my friends. When the tech bubble burst I realized how forutunate I was to have stayed. My wife took the reigns of our finances and turned us around from being in debt big time to owning our home and now purchasing land. I still make less than my peers but we are accustomed to living with less. Therefore retirement at 55 is do-able. I plan to do some odd jobs to supliment but living in a cabin for 6 months will not be a hardship. Learning to live with less has been a life saver.
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OwenChristensen
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# Posted: 3 Apr 2014 15:58 - Edited by: OwenChristensen
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I am already on Medicare due to a back injury, so I'm not to worried about that cost. I did retire early 58, I think it was. I sold a lot of '' stuff'' along the way, big boat, UTV, big motorcycles, extra trucks, etc. These helped me get by until the were gone. Now I have to work as much as my back will let me. It's working out OK and I think the exercise helps me from getting worse. There's no way I want to stop working. If I did go the cabin to stay, I'd be logging or farming, I'd be busy. There just might be a market for cabins enough to keep me busy. I'd need to internet and a phone to do the selling.
Hattie, I assume that you're located where to motel gets seen.
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cabingal3
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# Posted: 3 Apr 2014 16:47
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we have on year to retirement.then we are heading out.
we will have our debt probably almost paid off.we have been working at this project of the big move to the woods in steps.
soo we will be heading out there to live full time.
i would go now but cant leave my mister.
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jackaxe
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# Posted: 3 Apr 2014 19:20 - Edited by: jackaxe
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I'm in the same boat as Owen, in his first post. I'm retired, but need side money to make it. We have been thinking of selling our house to move to our cabin and getting poles set for electric, etc. Need a well drilled and ROW repaired, so it is not seasonal(southern NY). We have major downsizing going on right now. Great thread! Keep the thoughts coming.
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OwenChristensen
Member
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# Posted: 3 Apr 2014 19:21
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That's a whole ''nuther'' story, how to get the spouse to go?
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PatrickH
Member
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# Posted: 3 Apr 2014 20:46
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We are going to try and make our "cabin" our home now instead of waiting until possible retirement. I have given myself 5 years hopefully sooner if I can make the money (we pay as we go) to complete enough to move. That will make our oldest 12 years old and plenty of time to make friends before high school begins.We will sell our city house and hope to make 20-30k on that as a little cushion as we adjust.We will both work in the Superior/duluth area about 30 mile commute one way (its an easy drive). It no longer makes sense to us to live in the city when we can live in such a nicer area. i have watched too many people work till they die and never really enjoy their lives I dont mind working so stoping working is not a big deal to me. For us its more about just really enjoying where we live and after we move our bill obligations will greatly reduce so making a pile of money wont be such a priority. I am also building the place to be able to rent the basement like a 1 room apartment and I will also have a auto repair shop set up but Im not sure how much income that will produce its pretty sparce on the population but well see. I have also earned a small pension at my current job if it will be there when im 65 who knows wife has some 401k but that is iffy also. I really like hearing how the more mature than me are planning their retirements I think everyone that worked the better part of their lives should be able to retire and not have to die at work so good luck to all of you I know we'll need it!
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silverwaterlady
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# Posted: 3 Apr 2014 21:22
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Don't underestimate the amount of money you will spend in your retirement to keep yourself healthy. I will not retire young because I do not want to do without anything. I am returning to universary in a few years to earn my bachelors, something in the medical field. So I will finally have a job I enjoy that will take me into retirement and beyond if I really love it.
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turkeyhunter
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# Posted: 3 Apr 2014 23:22 - Edited by: turkeyhunter
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I retired 4 1/2 years ago at the age of 48. I LOVE it...
do I want to LIVE to either of my Northern Camp in Maine or my Southern Hunting cabin....I have no desire.... we have a nice home on 5 acres 5miles from town...and less than a hour drive to the big cities. Home is my HOME...cabin / camp is where I go to hunt/fish/relax ect...work on the cabins...ride atvs....play with my tractor...BUT I could do that here at HOME as well. And do.
So~~~ I love my home....and love my cabins a different way.
and I would highly recommend retirement .....it's fun not knowing what you are going to do each day...I know I will have a cup of coffee when I get up each day.....& then decide on what I want to do that day...I am not a planner...or have to do certain things on certain days...I did all of that for 30 years....no more. I just do what I want...and some days I have lunch at 11am...or lunch at 3pm....I NEVER want another schedule. But hey that's me
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hattie
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# Posted: 4 Apr 2014 01:23 - Edited by: hattie
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Quoting: OwenChristensen Hattie, I assume that you're located where to motel gets seen.
In our small village (population is about 85 people), we are at the main intersection, however, we are in what some would call a semi-remote area so not too many drive by here. We are not near a major highway or thoroughfare. Our town has no restaurants or stores - just hillbillies. We have made ourselves very visible on the internet. Our reviews are good and word of mouth spreads pretty quick. We get people coming from England and Germany too (word of mouth and internet).
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OwenChristensen
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# Posted: 4 Apr 2014 02:32
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That's cool hattie. Sounds like a good idea.
Patrickh, I guess I forgot how close you are. That makes about five small cabin owner right near us. Soon to be six. I'm working for a new member.
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mongo1
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# Posted: 4 Apr 2014 08:09
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Same as most.Not enough money to retire.51-self-employed remodeling contractor.In the good times we were booked 2-3 months out but NOW we rarely have full time work even in the summer.Economy or whatever -it is what it is.I kind of lived a different path the last 20 years.I worked a lot when work was there but ALWAYS took off 3-5 months a year and spent lots of time at the cabin and explored lots of great places in these grand United States.From backpacking the Sierra,s to fishing and hunting in Alaska 8 times I feel fortunate and blessed for the time off I,ve had in my life so far.Would i like to live full time at the cabin?I don,t know if I could keep myself busy enough every day especially in the long winters.So for now I enjoy my split life.I don,t have any bills but the normal ones.No mortgage-car payments-credit card payments so life is good.With work being slow this year looks like a 6 month on and 6 month off work gig so I can,t complain.Wake up-feet hit the floor and it,s gonna be a great day.Hope everyoe has a fantastic day!!!!!!Mongo
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trollbridge
Member
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# Posted: 4 Apr 2014 09:09
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Why? Because I can't find my cabin in all this snow!!!!
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OwenChristensen
Member
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# Posted: 4 Apr 2014 13:47 - Edited by: OwenChristensen
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Troll, thanks for posting, we shouldn't go so long. Snow yes, just got hit big time. Thank goodness for the last few weeks of warm days.
I'd still like to deal with this at the cabin. I'd like to be out there. Snowshoeing, snowmobiling, logging, hunting, anything as long as it is there.
Mongo 1, I too have been a contractor most of my life. I cut back a lot on the overdone lifestyle to make it though slow times, but it seems that we have plenty work now. If I want it.
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countryred
Member
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# Posted: 4 Apr 2014 16:58
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A few more $$$ and my daughter to move off for school. We bought our 10 acres and have cleared off a spot and added a small cabin/ shed.
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trollbridge
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# Posted: 4 Apr 2014 18:41
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Hi Owen,
I still pop in, I just haven't said much. I still enjoy seeing everyone else's dreams become a reality-enjoy seeing the progress by those who have started and "listening" to the ideas and thoughts of those still dreaming. Interesting to see what else pops up, what is on everyone's mind. This is a good thread, Owen, and if we think about it often enough and hard enough, it will become our reality!
Take care when digging out from this latest storm.
Ellen
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OwenChristensen
Member
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# Posted: 4 Apr 2014 19:50
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I don't want to sound sappy but I, as well as many here are always interested in what you have to say. Please say in touch.
countryred.....I too have just had my youngest daughter move out on her own. She still needs a little help now and then, maybe if the kids get just a little more independent. I can afford a more trimmed lifestyle.
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mongo1
Member
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# Posted: 5 Apr 2014 20:15
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Owen.See your from near Duluth.I did a two week solo road trip last Sep. up that way.Flew into Minneapolis-rented a car and headed north.Some really cool country.Pretty much hugged the coast along Lake Superior.Spent most nights camped on the SHT seeing as how it was free.Drove the Gunflint Trail to the end and camped at the campground.Was a great trip and great country to see.As most backpacking trails you don,t see many people once you get a few miles in.Have a great day!!!Mongo
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ErinsMom
Member
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# Posted: 6 Apr 2014 07:36
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Off subject:
Mongo, where are you and remodeling company located?
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SandyR
Member
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# Posted: 6 Apr 2014 18:21
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What's stopping me living there is that the cabin won't be built until later this year. That's the first.
And the second is that my kids are involved in sports and scouting. My 13 year old is a Star scout and they need their friends in their lives.
One day......
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mongo1
Member
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# Posted: 6 Apr 2014 18:56
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Erinsmom,
I,m from Enola,Penna. Right across the river from Harrisburg.Mongo1
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