Cheap houses, relocation, hermit life

[echorec]

Has anybody else been looking harder and harder at out-of-the-way residences? (your city sucks, your neighbors suck, your city is expensive, Covid, claustrophobia) ---I don't have kids or a partner, so I'm not really tied to anywhere.

I've really been looking for churches, decommissioned libraries, and schools. Obviously, they present their own problems (cost, maintenance), but every now and then I find one that's relatively small and well-maintained. I've also consulted with some people about solar/alternative energy and other ways to restore & sustain older buildings.

I'm using Zillow, Crexi, Loop.net, and several IG accounts. (FYI)

With so many small towns fading away and many jobs going remote, I'll be curious to see what happens with some of these overlooked places. Personally, I love the idea of being in a tiny village with 200 people, but only being 20-30 minutes from a larger town/city, where I could experience both environments. I like the entertainment and dining of larger cities, but I hated the traffic/noise/expenses/lack of personal space.

[coldbrightsunlight]

I've not been actively looking as I don't need to move in the near future. But my long term dream would be to live somewhere

in a tiny village with 200 people, but only being 20-30 minutes from a larger town/city, where I could experience both environments.

(though our definitions of tiny village differ )

So I support the goal!

[qersty]

isn't 200 people a town to you guys?

there are lots of old building like that here. Lots of old schools that look super cool but probably would be hellish to maintain. there are also some real hermit cottages too. i deliver mail sometimes so i have seen a lot of fine exemplars.

I need to get somewhere with people however (probably just to prove it sucks)

[Gone Fission]

I've not been actively looking as I don't need to move in the near future. But my long term dream would be to live somewhere

in a tiny village with 200 people, but only being 20-30 minutes from a larger town/city, where I could experience both environments.

(though our definitions of tiny village differ )

So I support the goal!

Have you seen any of the TV you Brits export to the U.S.? The murder rate in the English countryside seems astronomical. Avoid Midsomer in particular—total bloodbath.

[echorec]

(though our definitions of tiny village differ )

Tiny village (UK) meaning 8 homesteads and 400 sheep? --Domestic animal to human ratio of greater than 20-1.

[echorec]

isn't 200 people a town to you guys?

there are lots of old building like that here. Lots of old schools that look super cool but probably would be hellish to maintain. there are also some real hermit cottages too. i deliver mail sometimes so i have seen a lot of fine exemplars.

I need to get somewhere with people however (probably just to prove it sucks)

Sweden? I've seen some really cool schoolhouses in Sweden for roughly $200K. I'd love to have an indoor gym to combat the winter/rainy day blues. Unfortunately, in the US to get cheap you have to get fairly far from proper cities. Upstate New York has vacant schools, but they're 5 hours from NYC. Also, you're talking about dull 20th-century buildings---not particularly charming or quirky.

[coldbrightsunlight]

(though our definitions of tiny village differ )

Tiny village (UK) meaning 8 homesteads and 400 sheep? --Domestic animal to human ratio of greater than 20-1.

I mean, pretty much. Sometimes just 10 people no sheep though.

[maninashed]

oof man I thought where I lived was small, the population is 12000


I need to be surrounded by skyscrapers n be able to walk or take the subway wherever whenever I want

[coupleonapkins]

Buying cheap but out of the way of a big city may seem like a no-win, but once California finally falls into the ocean (or becomes environmentally inhospitable once and for all), all of those residents are going to fill out the rest of the country quite nicely. And by then your upcycled elementary school will finally reap all the profits (prophets?) that creature comforts like skyscrapers could never even begin to imagine, but I would also invest in paranormal prevention just to be on the safe side (a gym sounds nice).

[goroth]

(though our definitions of tiny village differ )

Tiny village (UK) meaning 8 homesteads and 400 sheep? --Domestic animal to human ratio of greater than 20-1.

I mean, pretty much. Sometimes just 10 people no sheep though.

Yeah, it's not like it's New Zealand.

[Blackened Soul]

I don't buy that there aren't the sheep in those places, you just aren't seeing them. They are there however, watching, waiting.

[goroth]

Sheep cabal!

[friendship]

Today I applied for an assistant cheesemaker position in a town with less than 700 people so I guess you could say I am onboard with this.

[goroth]

I do like cheese.

[coldbrightsunlight]

Good luck with cheese quest 22