Looking for Property or a Home to Go Offgrid in Northern California (Brownsville, Challenge, Alta?)

Discussion in 'Off Grid Living' started by GoingOffGridInCalifornia, Sep 26, 2016.


  1. Hello

    Hi Everyone.
    My name is Lisa. Nice to meet you all. I feel fortunate to have found this forum.
    Sorry for the very long title, it won't happen again.

    I am 49 years old, and seeking to go offgrid with my husband of mid 50's. We have 60 thousand dollars but due to caring for family members, only qualify for a loan of up to about 500 a month. After we do taxes, it will be more because I went full time last year. I work in Grass Valley, CA three days per week.
    We will also be inheriting some money in about a year or so too but I'd like to move asap.
    I wondered if anyone had any thoughts or experiences going off grid in these particular towns or areas. We are mostly seeking clean air so lots of trees (to cover the home) and a high elevation. And hopefully make a few friends we have this in common with. We just put a small amount of land for sale so with that, if it sells, we'll have a little larger down payment at least. Anyway I am glad to be here.
     
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  2. azrancher

    azrancher Monkey +++

    Welcome,
    Advice... move away from California

    Rancher
     
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  3. Dunerunner

    Dunerunner Brewery Monkey Moderator

    Gave a quick look and there isn't much out the Hwy 80 corridor...
     
  4. Good advice. Our son lives here so that's the only reason we stay.

    So true

    You mean Carson in L.A. County or Carson City in Nevada? I don't think I could live around alot of people. The main road in our little town of 4000 is already akin to a freeway.

    Nevermind only Carson City is off I-80. I'll go check out zillow now for real estate prices. Thanks!

    Just checked-. Great Prices! But no doubt it is too far away from our jobs & son. Truckee would be perfect but it is terribly expensive
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 27, 2016
  5. marlas1too

    marlas1too Monkey+++

    move to wv. lots of trees and mountains and lots of places that are off grid--like they won't string power lines to you' gun laws are open carry and conceal carry. the lifestyle is more relaxed---------------sorry love it here in wv and have since 1974
     
  6. Altoidfishfins

    Altoidfishfins Monkey+++ Site Supporter+

    California taxes and cost of living will eat you alive. Too may restrictions on everything and anything. I have in-laws there, but haven't been there in years, although I live right next door in a neighboring state. Just my humble opinion, but I have little use for California.

    I'd take a short drive to the east and look around in Nevada. THere's property I'm sure available across the state line and not that far from California, so you could still visit your son.
     
    Last edited: Sep 27, 2016
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  7. Motomom34

    Motomom34 Monkey+++

    You are a good Mom. I know what you are going thru. My kids love and want to stay in CO but I know that I could find a cheaper and better out of state but I will stay near for my children's sake. I know I can make it work. CA has a horrible reputation but I heard Northern CA is good people and normal compared to Lala land which is what usually what we hear about.

    I think Northern CA would offer a good growing climate.
     
  8. azrancher

    azrancher Monkey +++

    I actually had a pretty good time in my 4 year punishment in CA, lived in Camarillo, which I understand now is a bedroom community of Los Angels I build all kind of stuff in my back yard, no permit, nobody turned me in... my only problem was that when I sold the house, I had a hard time finding a like priced house in AZ, so as to not incur a capital gain... We really need to go to a flat tax, do away with the IRS!
    Rancher
     
  9. That's great to know
    I think that's a little too far for our son. I am still working on him to move though...he's 25 and single. He works from home for Apple so I am pretty sure he can re-locate.

    Altoidfishfins, thank you. Nevada is just a little over an hour away so that would be a quick easy jaunt. I've not been much beyond Reno.

    Motomom it is very much lala land here. People here act like teenagers. Not every one of course but most are very politically correct which isn't good. You cannot just talk truth openly. It's actually much more liberal than the City (except S.F of course). I was the trustee for a will, sold a house in Carson California (Los Angeles County) and the people there were much friendlier and open. They say we live in one of the conservative counties but not sure. This is one reason we are trying to find a small down to earth town. Where we can cycle, grow food, be as self sustaining as possible. But won't have much money for another year or so but want to move quicker than that. Might be able to pull it off though...depending. You also sound like a wonderful mom to stay near your children. This is not the norm.

    Interesting. So if I recall, to avoid capital gain, you must live in the home for at least two years. I agree with the flat tax
     
    Last edited by a moderator: Sep 27, 2016
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  10. 3M-TA3

    3M-TA3 Cold Wet Monkey

    Also think Carson City as a hub. It's also off the I80 "Golden Horde" route that would be taken out of the Bay area in the event of man made or natural disaster, though would likely be the second destination.
     
  11. 3M-TA3

    3M-TA3 Cold Wet Monkey

    Sorry - meant Nevada and as a hub. My future plans call for a hub city 1 to 2 hours away for WalMart/Sams Club/Costco trips. Reno has all that, Carson, NV much less. The Virginia City, NV area or thereabouts would give access to both.
     
  12. Altoidfishfins

    Altoidfishfins Monkey+++ Site Supporter+

    Carson City is not a big town, even though it's Nevada's capitol city. There are also other smaller towns nearby. Dayton comes to mind. So does Gardnerville.

    I used to live at the other end of the state in Elko. Good, good conservative town. I don't think any Democrats hold public office, not even the dog catcher. Great people. But it's exactly 300 miles east of Reno. Might be a bit of a drive if you want to stay in contact with your son.
     
  13. Pax Mentis

    Pax Mentis Philosopher King |RIP 11-4-2017

    If you aren't politically liberal, you might check out the border counties in Oregon....close enough for families in NorCal but much friendlier unless you want to turn it into Calif North.
     
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  14. chimo

    chimo the few, the proud, the jarhead monkey crowd

    You might consider volunteering your time and money towards forming the new state of Jefferson!
     
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  15. azrancher

    azrancher Monkey +++

    I forget if there was a live in limit applied, I used to order all the tax guides from the IRS and do my taxes by hand, now it's Turbo... and I know you had a limit to re-invest in another home, it was either 6 months or a year.

    Rancher
     
  16. OldDude49

    OldDude49 Just n old guy

    Silver Springs Stagecoach are has some good deals IIRC... and there other areas further north...

    Just go look around... find somethin ya like and is where ya would like it to be...

    and leave Kali and their... attitudes behind...?
     
  17. Dunerunner

    Dunerunner Brewery Monkey Moderator

  18. yeti695

    yeti695 Monkey+

    Welcome, hope you find what you are looking for. I dont have any advice as far as moving and where to. I'm with azrancher I would move away from California, but I understand not wanting to leave family. Well good luck, great site and better people with alot of information.
     
  19. Rocky Road Lerp

    Rocky Road Lerp Monkey+++

    The Sierra Nevadas have some really nice spots for what you're looking for. Not too far from your ao.
     
  20. Dunerunner I work in Grass Valley. Yes there is consistently alot available but it isn't cheap. The town is nice enough though.
    The air is so bad there....We need to move to obtain clean air
     
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