I'm 75 and have been homesteading for 12 years. When asked lifestyle questions, I like to tell people that I practice "intentional living", meaning that things don't happen unless I deliberately make them happen. My goal is to be 100% autonomous . . . Hide & watch
Awesome! Completely agree with you on that. Life doesn't get handed to us, we work for every bit of it! What part of the world did you pick to live intentionally in?
Hello. I just found your channel, and I'm so happy I did. Do you have a more detailed video of how you built your septic set up? Please let me know, and if you didn't create a video of the build, would you mind providing a detailed walk-through? Thank you in advance for your time and being willing to share 🙏🏼
Just the hot water puts you in a better position than the majority of locals. I don't know why, but hot showers don't seem to be a thing around those parts. I've only ever seen those dangerous-looking in-shower add-ons that make the water slightly less cold. It's impressive that being off-grid gives you better options, not lesser ones.
@@jdsantibanez Yeah, this is one of those cases where, for better or for worse, they don't know what they're missing. Good for them, IMO. I have a "need" that they don't have, so I'm the one in a worse position.
It's true, so many people here are unbothered by not having hot water. I certainly wish we didn't care to have it either, but boy do we love a hot shower! Those in shower heaters are terrifying!
Thank you! We both have hands-on experience, but nothing 'formal' so to speak. Mostly we learn as we go. Chris is very capable and fantastic at building, so we're lucky that way!
Thanks! Prices depend on size/location/access/utilities. For a property with road access but nothing much else you're looking at $1000/acre for a larger property a bit further out. Smaller/closer to town could be $10,000+/acre. Our property is 30 acres.
Gosh, thanks! Community is great, though we are mostly just on property these days trying to get the house moving forward. Chris is out and about more than me, so he's made connections in the community, gone to neighborhood meeting, etc. Working on Spanish but it's sloooow going. I know a LOT more in my head than when I'm actually talking to someone, which is annoying! We're just lucky everybody is patient with us.
@@tinyhandsbigdreams Interesting. You've been there for about two years now right? No issues navigating the bureaucracy with limited Spanish? Is there a decent amount of people who speak English? I think you should consider an episode on language barriers, I'm sure you and Chris have a lot to say on that particular aspect 🤔
Yup! Our whole area was without power on Saturday through Sunday, and we didn't even know until we went to town and realized there were no lights on! We were just fine out here.
Our story is a long one, but we've been working off of savings for the most part. We have a property to sell (it was an investment visa property) and then we'll be able to put money towards some business endeavors locally (solar, coffee, cocao, spices). I (Elizabeth) write, and that brings in a tiny bit of money which will hopefully grow to be more, and the same goes from our RUclips. We are putting a lot of eggs in different baskets!
Great RUclips video, looks like the most irritating thing you have to deal with is the flying insects. That would drive me nuts. Outside of that I love your lifestyle and where you live. Question is the Government of Ecuador and the police and poverty in the Country make you feel in a remote area a safe place to live, and not have Government corruption give you any concerns, or gangs, or Military or Federal Police taking bribes, like what exists in Mexico to keep you out of jail on fake charges.
While there are definitely issues with corruption in Ecuador at large, as well as crime/drugs/cartels/etc., our community bubble where we're at is really very safe. We have few concerns about crime and safety where we are at. Everybody knows everybody and keeps an eye out for each other. I think those types of communities exist all over the country in their own little bubbles.
I'm 75 and have been homesteading for 12 years.
When asked lifestyle questions, I like to tell people that I practice "intentional living", meaning that things don't happen unless I deliberately make them happen.
My goal is to be 100% autonomous . . .
Hide & watch
Awesome! Completely agree with you on that. Life doesn't get handed to us, we work for every bit of it!
What part of the world did you pick to live intentionally in?
@@tinyhandsbigdreams
Paradise . . . Aka North Texas
Sending blessings to you ❤
You are an amazing family. I love to learn about your life in Ecuador. Thank you for sharing that with the world.
Thank you so much for the support!
Hello. I just found your channel, and I'm so happy I did. Do you have a more detailed video of how you built your septic set up? Please let me know, and if you didn't create a video of the build, would you mind providing a detailed walk-through? Thank you in advance for your time and being willing to share 🙏🏼
Love you guys. Keep it up.
Just the hot water puts you in a better position than the majority of locals. I don't know why, but hot showers don't seem to be a thing around those parts. I've only ever seen those dangerous-looking in-shower add-ons that make the water slightly less cold.
It's impressive that being off-grid gives you better options, not lesser ones.
Local people have grown up without hot water. They don't miss it.
@@jdsantibanez Yeah, this is one of those cases where, for better or for worse, they don't know what they're missing. Good for them, IMO. I have a "need" that they don't have, so I'm the one in a worse position.
It's true, so many people here are unbothered by not having hot water. I certainly wish we didn't care to have it either, but boy do we love a hot shower! Those in shower heaters are terrifying!
Could you please do an in-depth video on the septic system?
We'll add it to the list!
Amazing. Did you guys have a background in building stuff and maintenance? Or you have learned as you go?
Thank you! We both have hands-on experience, but nothing 'formal' so to speak. Mostly we learn as we go. Chris is very capable and fantastic at building, so we're lucky that way!
Love how you guys are doing that. How much is land prices down there? And how many acres do you have?
Thanks! Prices depend on size/location/access/utilities. For a property with road access but nothing much else you're looking at $1000/acre for a larger property a bit further out. Smaller/closer to town could be $10,000+/acre. Our property is 30 acres.
So impressive what you both are doing. How is community life and interaction? Are you all good or fluent in Spanish by now?
Gosh, thanks! Community is great, though we are mostly just on property these days trying to get the house moving forward. Chris is out and about more than me, so he's made connections in the community, gone to neighborhood meeting, etc. Working on Spanish but it's sloooow going. I know a LOT more in my head than when I'm actually talking to someone, which is annoying! We're just lucky everybody is patient with us.
@@tinyhandsbigdreams Interesting. You've been there for about two years now right? No issues navigating the bureaucracy with limited Spanish? Is there a decent amount of people who speak English? I think you should consider an episode on language barriers, I'm sure you and Chris have a lot to say on that particular aspect 🤔
Living off grid true luxury! Friends living on grid paying for what? Off grid is luxury! Have things others don't and money in your pocket.
Yup! Our whole area was without power on Saturday through Sunday, and we didn't even know until we went to town and realized there were no lights on! We were just fine out here.
what do you do for living ?
Our story is a long one, but we've been working off of savings for the most part. We have a property to sell (it was an investment visa property) and then we'll be able to put money towards some business endeavors locally (solar, coffee, cocao, spices). I (Elizabeth) write, and that brings in a tiny bit of money which will hopefully grow to be more, and the same goes from our RUclips. We are putting a lot of eggs in different baskets!
@@tinyhandsbigdreams That's nice
Great RUclips video, looks like the most irritating thing you have to deal with is the flying insects. That would drive me nuts. Outside of that I love your lifestyle and where you live. Question is the Government of Ecuador and the police and poverty in the Country make you feel in a remote area a safe place to live, and not have Government corruption give you any concerns, or gangs, or Military or Federal Police taking bribes, like what exists in Mexico to keep you out of jail on fake charges.
While there are definitely issues with corruption in Ecuador at large, as well as crime/drugs/cartels/etc., our community bubble where we're at is really very safe. We have few concerns about crime and safety where we are at. Everybody knows everybody and keeps an eye out for each other. I think those types of communities exist all over the country in their own little bubbles.