I’m writing this in an effort to encourage others who might be in the process of, or thinking about moving to a full time retreat.
Our situation is not unique. In the spring of 2008 we saw the writing on the wall (economic, political, and social trends) and we wanted out of the suburbs and into a full time retreat in the country side. We are a family of four that includes two boys in their early teens. My wife and I had great jobs, we lived in a planned community that was 30 miles away from the big city in 2003, but by 2007, the city sprawl of this large southwestern metropolis had encircled us. We had moved from the central coast of California five years earlier to escape the masses, but the masses followed. We have been active peppers’ since 1999 and as husband and wife we are very fortunate to be like minded and on the “same team”. The purpose of this letter to twofold: (1) to share our mistakes and successes and (2) to encourage those who, given their circumstances, think it is impossible to move to greater safely. Fortunately my wife’s occupation in the medical field was highly transportable, while my background in manufacturing and the military was not.
Step one (1), start with the math. I mean the Dollars math, not the mileage. Moving will cost you, but it may save you more in the long run than you can imagine. Take time to create a spreadsheet and add all your savings, liquid assets, and home equity together and deduct all of your liabilities (including your estimated moving and selling costs). If you’re positive, with a reasonable sum left over, go to step two. Do not fudge the math. Honesty and truth are critical. If the resources are not available, continue to prepare, and remember your circumstances may change in the near future.
Step two (2), Search your heart. Do you feel lead to make this move? Have you weighed the costs? Do you have family, contractual, or spiritual obligations that cannot be broken? Are you and the members of your family willing to sacrifice and endure hardship to make this move? Only if you and your spouse both feel in your heart that this is the right action to take, should you go to step three.
Step three (3), select retreat area(s). Limit the parameters of your search based on your finances and your potential for an income stream high enough to sustain you. Location is the most critical concern you have, so be sure the area(s) you are considering are within your means. Our search criteria: a minimum of 30 acres, small home & barn, reliable well, forested, remote location in a low population area, no 150,000+ population cities in a 200 mile radius, annual rainfall of 35” or more, 170 plus frost free growing days, agriculturally-based economy, gun friendly, Bible belt preferred, all for under $125,000. Look for areas with property prices within your reach and that meet your search parameters. Keep in mind that there are few jobs in rural America, and even fewer good paying jobs. But also weigh this with the possibility of much lower living expenses and taxes. Use the internet to help locate and narrow down your choices. Talk with friends and associates who may have lived in the area you are considering. Many areas have regional blogs that may give you better insight, but take the time to validate what you reading. Once you have narrowed down the area(s) try to visit them, money and time permitting. Read “Patriots”, “How to Survive the End of the World as We Know It”, “One Second After”, and Revelation chapters 6-through-20. Once committed to moving, continue to pray talk about it, then go to step 4.
Step four (4), the hard one, Sell it all. If you have what it takes (resources, desire, and dedication), then make the move. Put your house on the market, sell all of your unnecessary toys, and prepare for a rough and stressful ride. Be prepared that family and friends will want to know “why”, so just keep it simple “it’s the best thing for the family”. Select your listing agent very wisely and do not use a friend unless they are the absolute most professional choice you can make. Start getting rid of your junk (large dumpster recommended), donate anything of value, and start packing non-essential items. Clean you house inside and out, get it inspected, and fix all major deficiencies (if possible). Moving yourself is a lot of work but it will save you a lot of money. Ask for friends help, you will soon know who your true friends are. At the same time carefully select an agent(s) who will work for you in the retreat area(s) you are considering. Give them all the pertinent property specifications you are looking for and remember they work for you. Take advantage of bank owned properties and don’t be surprised if they accept your $80,000 cash offer on a farm listed for $130,000. Steer clear of “short sales–have your agent explain that to you. Money left over will be important in order to turn the new property into a retreat. Only after you have received a validated and accepted offer on your existing home, should you move forward with the serious intent to buy your retreat property. Prepare for the stress and anxiety of what you are about to face. I am not an agent, but make every effort necessary to select a good one who has the experience, integrity, and patience that is required to walk you through the pitfalls.
Step five (5), the move. Just when you thought the roller coaster was almost finished: there is more packing, last minute house fixes, loading the moving van, transferring bank accounts, kids school records, final inspections, discontinuing all your home services, transfer house funds, setting up services for new house, the long drive, signing lots of paperwork, unloading the moving van, and moving in. Plan before you act. Accurately assess your moving van requirements and do not forget your vehicles and large items like quads or boats. Moving is very hard, complicated, and stressful to say the least, but it can be done and it will be over soon.
Step six (6), ready the retreat. After moving in and getting your new home livable, start working on making your new home into a retreat. Focus on the areas that are most critical first, like grid down water supply, water purification, food (stored and grown), security, temporary power, and heat. Once the important items are completed, move onto the secondary items like chicken coops, adding live stock, expanding the garden, next year’s firewood, more fences, shooting range, fields of fire, escape routes, and most importantly, making friends. Volumes could be written on this, but plan out your priorities, take your time, do a good job, and don’t burn yourself out. Use the archives on SurvivalBlog to assist you. Seek out trusted local experts who are willing to give you guidance on animals, gardening, canning, harvesting wood, hunting, and expanding you retreat.
In closing: With God’s help we moved from the suburbs to a remote farm in the Ozarks. We only have a few neighbors, but it is amazing on how friendly and self- sufficient they are and how much we have learned from them this past year. Our kids have not only adjusted to the move, but really enjoy the life-style change we have made and both are active in 4H and FFA plus we all hunt and fish on or near our property. Our living costs have dropped by 70%, and our larder will soon be at the two year mark. The painful hardships of selling in a down market and moving across the country are past us and we have gained a sense of accomplishment, purpose, and peace. Albeit, a guarded peace.