lots of questions

george hayduke · December 10, 2007, 12:14:27 PM

Hey guys I am new here so try and bear with me if some of these questions have been asked before. Sorry if my questions seem like of long winded but I'm new to owning property and building my own cabin, even though I am confident with my skills on living off the grid. I guess I'm just looking for alittle confidence in getting started. Living off the land is simple for me. I love it... finding property, the funds to build a cabin, etc. is all a very daunting task to me.
First off I'm looking to purchase some land in Alaska to build a cabin on. I would prefer this land to be relatively secluded but within a few miles of a small town incase I need supplies or there's an emergency. I also need the land to be big enough to fish, hunt, and grow some of my own food however; I don't have a lot of money to buy property. I actually have a pretty frugal budget so I'm just wondering if I can pull this off. I need the property to be close enough to clean water too. I don't need running water to my cabin but obviously I will need to obtain clean drinking water somehow. Hopefully this isn't a problem in Alaska. I hope, no I pray that most of the streams up there are still clean. I'm also not worried about having electricity. I'm just wondering if you guys have any suggestions to finding land when you have such a frugal budget. I don't want to spend more than 10-15,000 on land. i dont want to have to pay yearly taxes on the land either since i plan on working as little as possible. just enough to pay for my nessecities.
Second question is I have some experience in home building but I've never built my own cabin. Is it possible for someone with little experience to build a small full scribed Scandinavian cabin? I don't want anything large... at most 4-500 sq. feet.... possibly smaller. Keep in mind I'd like to do as much of the work as I can myself. I also need a cabin that's going to withstand Alaska's extremes as i want to live there year round... does anyone have any suggestions? Keep in I am on a frugal budget. I want to build a cabin as cheaply as possible but I want it to be efficient too.
Anyway, sorry this post turned out to be so long. Thanks.

glenn kangiser · December 10, 2007, 12:37:39 PM

to the forum, George.

Sounds like pretty tall orders. Possibly checking real estate sites in Alaska on the web will net you something.

Full scribed log houses are really tough. Also the are not recommended as the best way to do it by some who know what they are talking about. They are really nice looking but continue to settle for a long time. There are quite a few special tools and techniques associated with full scribe building that make it a rather slow and tedious process. A small house with allowances made for settling on doors and windows may not be that bad though.

http://www.loghomebuilders.org/

Where are you located now --seems Alaska could be a pretty harsh jump. Cost of living in Alaska has traditionally been high.

December 10, 2007, 12:50:02 PM

all daunting tasks seem to be do-able by taking a step at a time. I look at the pile of dirt before we built and I'm amazed at all the things we got done to get us at the 90% completion we have today.
Seems to me the best thing you could do to find out all you need to would be for you to take a trip up there and spend time driving around, talking to people and just getting a whole lot more information upon which to make your real plan. My brother in law is a crusty 80 year old who scoffs at all my books and papers, but I don't have his broad deep experience and I needed to pull together a lot of information before I could really act. I didn't bother to tease him about his most recent tussle with the county that happened cause he didn't do research. He brought a large old trailer home onto his 7 acres so he could use if for storage et al.... The county pointed out he couldn't have trailer houses on his land and they'd find him for every day it was there if it wasn't gone immediatly.
Anyway....some of you "wants" seem to conflict.... "solitude, but close to town". Little money but want enough land to hunt and fish, yet pay no property taxes?
If you go there, hang out and talk to a lot of people...maybe a vision will start to come together of what you can do that can get you close to your dream. For instance, I think you MIGHT find areas in Alaska where public land is so plentiful that you don't have to own your own (like we do down in the lower 48). Hey, good luck, I think most of us appreciate and respect your dream existance, and many will help you along the way. I just encourage you to pull together as much info as you can and then convert your dream to a plan with things that can be done with what you have.
Good luck! Day by day it can happen!

rdzone · December 10, 2007, 12:55:01 PM

George,

your questions have me generating a lot of questions. Where do you live now. Where in Alaska do you want to live. There are some big climate differences up here. There are also some big differences in land prices, location of fish and game depending on location. Tell me some more about the who, what, why, of what you want to do and I can probably give you some more info.

I live near anchorage in Eagle River, but have a cabin going near Big Lake Alaska, I also own two more remote lots near lake louise for a total of around 18 acres. That is the next place I will build a small cabin.

george hayduke · December 10, 2007, 02:53:15 PM

QuoteFull scribed log houses are really tough. Also the are not recommended as the best way to do it by some who know what they are talking about. They are really nice looking but continue to settle for a long time. There are quite a few special tools and techniques associated with full scribe building that make it a rather slow and tedious process. A small house with allowances made for settling on doors and windows may not be that bad though.

Aye- I realize building a full scribed house is very time consuming but time isn't a concern of mine. While I am building my cabin I plan on living in a yurt and I also have a close friend in Alaska who is going to allow me to stay with him and he's also going help me build my cabin. I do have some experience with joints and building homes so I feel like I could build it however are there more efficient cabins out there for Alaska that would be easier to build? The only reason I was thinking a full scribed log house is because I hear the water rolls off them better and they retain heat well.

QuoteWhere are you located now --seems Alaska could be a pretty harsh jump. Cost of living in Alaska has traditionally been high.

I live in the Appalachian Mountains of North Carolina currently. Alaska is a harsh jump from here however I've spent time up there and am comfortable with the extreme weather patterns. I've spent time in any kind of weather imaginable. I used to do a lot of camping, hiking, and climbing in all types of cold weather. I am more bothered by extreme heat than I am the extreme cold. I'm really not concerned with a traditionally higher cost of living either as I plan on living on very little. Although, the value of property up there might have me a little concerned.

Quoteyour questions have me generating a lot of questions. Where do you live now. Where in Alaska do you want to live. There are some big climate differences up here. There are also some big differences in land prices, location of fish and game depending on location. Tell me some more about the who, what, why, of what you want to do and I can probably give you some more info.

Thanks for the quick response. As I said earlier I live in the Appalachian Mountains right now. I've been to Alaska over the years and have grown to love it. I want to build my cabin the Matanuska valley however I have some concerns over this as I hear property in this area can be quite expensive. I was looking as far north as Trapper Creek and Talkeetna area. I've also been thinking about maybe slightly north of Willow, Ak. Somewhere in that area maybe. Do you have any suggestions? I've also heard one can get cheap land south of Fairbanks so I've even been looking around there.

QuoteAnyway....some of you "wants" seem to conflict.... "solitude, but close to town". Little money but want enough land to hunt and fish, yet pay no property taxes?

I don't see a conflict at all as I am moving to Alaska and it seems to me at least one could enjoy solitude while being within several miles of a real small town just incase I need to re-supply for some reason or there is an emergency. I figure I can still be within several miles of a town and find the solitude I need. As far as finding land to hunt and fish on while being on a frugal budget, this is Alaska after all and land for fishing and hunting wont be hard to find I don't think.
I also thought there were places where there is no property tax... am I wrong?
As far as work goes I'm not looking for a full time job or anything... however I won't mind working odd jobs a few times a year to earn some extra money, or maybe making my own crafts and selling them. Just doing small stuff like that to earn money.

QuoteIf you go there, hang out and talk to a lot of people...maybe a vision will start to come together of what you can do that can get you close to your dream. For instance, I think you MIGHT find areas in Alaska where public land is so plentiful that you don't have to own your own (like we do down in the lower 48).

Aye- yeah I figure once I finally get up there a lot of this will start to come together. I am trying to do it all from home and I guess that's why it seems like such a daunting project. I'll be up there in the spring though and hopefully that's when things will really start to come together. Thanks for all the advice so far its been really helpful.
I even thought about building a cabin on some open public land, and as much I believe in the ideas of squatting, I just don't want to have to worry about being on someone else's land.

December 10, 2007, 04:10:37 PM

I took a class on Butt & Pass method of log home building. I really enjoyed it and learned a great deal.

rdzone · December 10, 2007, 04:37:12 PM

george,

the area you are looking at is nice, still in the Mat/Su borough so you will be paying taxes.

"far north as Trapper Creek and Talkeetna area. I've also been thinking about maybe slightly north of Willow, Ak."

There is some good hunting and fishing in that area...even some good areas for gold panning. It would be close enough to Wasilla to shop or whatever, but not to crowded. I think you could probably pick up a few acres relatively cheap. You are not going to be able to pick up a large tract of land for dirt cheap. You should be able to build a cabin with some help. Here is a website that a younger couple put together showing their experience building a cabin here in alaska.

http://www.alaskaantlerworks.com/Alaska_cabin.htm

StinkerBell · December 10, 2007, 04:43:57 PM

I miss the Wasilla/Palmer Fair..........

george hayduke · December 10, 2007, 06:35:55 PM

Quote from: rdzone on December 10, 2007, 04:37:12 PM
george,

the area you are looking at is nice, still in the Mat/Su borough so you will be paying taxes.

"far north as Trapper Creek and Talkeetna area. I've also been thinking about maybe slightly north of Willow, Ak."

There is some good hunting and fishing in that area...even some good areas for gold panning. It would be close enough to Wasilla to shop or whatever, but not to crowded. I think you could probably pick up a few acres relatively cheap. You are not going to be able to pick up a large tract of land for dirt cheap. You should be able to build a cabin with some help. Here is a website that a younger couple put together showing their experience building a cabin here in alaska.

http://www.alaskaantlerworks.com/Alaska_cabin.htm

yeah i'm not looking to pick up a large tract of land. i realize on my budget thats not realistic. i really want to pick up between 5-10 acres. do you think i could achieve that in the valley with a budget between $10-15,000 to spend on land? and i figure if i pick up a small piece of land near secluded areas this will allow me to still hunt and fish while i'm up there.
i've also been looking at land more in the interior south of fairbanks. what do you think about this area?? is it as nice as the valley?
and where would i have to go in Alaska so i wouldn't have to pay property tax. its just a real peeve of mine, the government taxing land and property... i'd like to get around this if at all possible... or is a yearly property tax inevitable no matter where i go? sorry, its just i don't know a lot about owning private land. this is a whole new thing for me.

December 10, 2007, 07:10:25 PM

If your going into the interior via Fairbanks, it gets mighty cold there. I whole different type of cold then down in the bowl. If you become a Resident of Alaska you do get a state dividend check.

george hayduke · December 10, 2007, 07:41:11 PM

Quote from: StinkerBell on December 10, 2007, 07:10:25 PM
If your going into the interior via Fairbanks, it gets mighty cold there. I whole different type of cold then down in the bowl. If you become a Resident of Alaska you do get a state dividend check.

yeah i am aware of the state dividend check. my buddy up there tells me all the time i need to become a citizen of Alaska for that reason. yeah i know the interior is much colder, i only want to build up there if i can't find anything in the valley. i figure its good to go up there with a few ideas in case one falls through. even if its colder i say bring it on. =) i'd rather have absurd below freezing temperatures in the winter than to try and live in southern Arizona in the summer dealing with the heat like one of my friends prefers. I guess its up the persons preference in the end.

StinkerBell · December 10, 2007, 07:52:25 PM

I lived in Anchorage for 5 years, if there was work for my hubby I would move back in a heart beat.

george hayduke · December 10, 2007, 08:00:06 PM

Quote from: StinkerBell on December 10, 2007, 07:52:25 PM
I lived in Anchorage for 5 years, if there was work for my hubby I would move back in a heart beat.

i absolutely love it up there even though its going to be hard to leave where i am now. i live in rural Appalachia and love it but its time to move on even though this will always be home to me since i grew up here. its hard being torn between two of the most beautiful places on earth but i wont complain haha. ill always comeback here to visit.

FrankInWIS · December 10, 2007, 09:43:39 PM

StinkerBell you said: "I lived in Anchorage for 5 years, if there was work for my hubby I would move back in a heart beat."

I'm curious as to what about living there made you feel that way. I don't mean it as a challange, I am really interested. Some boyhood friends of mine moved up there, one in the game dept. They lived their lives up there. I know there is a strong attraction for some. What could you tell me about that?
Thanks

ps.... I googles "I love Alaska because" ...... and this is what I got! " I love Alaska because my Mother-In-Law is 3,000 miles away "

hee....heee I am sure there is more.

December 10, 2007, 10:51:43 PM

Well, lets see the people are wonderful. Coming up from the San Fernando Valley and the biggest crime was someone did a tag down town, made me giggle. Also those gang members could not hang in the cold and everyone carries a hunting gun. The didn't seem to last.

The State is beautiful. The moose, fishing, hunting. The Palmer/Wasilla Fair, big big cucumbers, they are almost alien. I delivered papers for the ADN, so every morning I walked, saw the moose, Ice Fog, looked like diamonds floating in the air (cold snap of -65), The Northern Lights, with that I understand how some can confuse the Creator with the creation. Venus is big and bright during Autumn. The Meteor showers. Fur Ronde (sp). All that sun during the summer. The easy pace of the people. Oh yes, Combat fishing has an entertainment value all its own.

MountainDon · December 11, 2007, 01:38:51 AM

Please forgive me, but I just have to ask....

Is your name really "hayduke" or are you simply a fan/reader of Edward Abbey?

I've been holding that back for 5 hours now.

My 0.02 worth is you have to search out some land within your budget to get the dream off the ground. I never thought we'd be able to find affordable land in the area I preferred. But we did.

george hayduke · December 11, 2007, 09:06:03 AM

Quote from: MountainDon on December 11, 2007, 01:38:51 AM

Please forgive me, but I just have to ask....

Is your name really "hayduke" or are you simply a fan/reader of Edward Abbey?

I've been holding that back for 5 hours now.

My 0.02 worth is you have to search out some land within your budget to get the dream off the ground. I never thought we'd be able to find affordable land in the area I preferred. But we did.

no- this isn't really my name I'm just a huge fan and reader of edward abbey. his books have had a great deal of influence on me.
you know i use this username at a few other message boards and you're the first person to recognize where came from.

also- thanks for the encouraging advice. i'm confident i'll be about to find the piece of land i want its just going to take some work. i figure i'll have more luck once i'm up there and searching for plots of land myself.

FrankInWI · December 11, 2007, 01:29:49 PM

Great answer StinkerBell. I shared it with my son. I have feeling he's going down a much different path in life than some of his contemporaries. I think he's nuts.... after deer season he decided to get into IceFishing. Bought books, got the gear and skipped school on day 4 of a illness to spend the day dark to dark on the ice on a local lake. see him fitting in in Alaska! He's deserting me as my #1 helper too! Go north to work on the garage/cottage and I work alone as he heads for the lakes. $:-\$

kenhill · December 11, 2007, 03:57:43 PM

Here is an album of our project at Red Shirt Lake near Willow, AK. We drive 80 miles and in the summer hike 3 miles, canoe 3 miles and in the winter we snowmachine in 14 miles. No Grid. Waterfront land is about $10,000/acre now.

http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=7701&l=0b01b&id=673692405

Check the Mat-Su borrough for land sales:
http://borough.co.mat-su.ak.us/

Here are some commercial real estate brokers:
http://www.remoteproperties.com/
http://www.landinalaska.com/

MountainDon · December 11, 2007, 04:48:59 PM

Quote from: george hayduke on December 11, 2007, 09:06:03 AM...you're the first person to recognize where came from.

...fewer realize that Hayduke drove a Jeep.

December 11, 2007, 08:18:53 PM

You may want to wait until the breakup to look at any property. I would want to see what happens to property during that time.

george hayduke · December 11, 2007, 08:35:19 PM

Quote from: MountainDon on December 11, 2007, 04:48:59 PM
Quote from: george hayduke on December 11, 2007, 09:06:03 AM...you're the first person to recognize where came from.
...fewer realize that Hayduke drove a Jeep.

well edward abbey was notorious for driving big cars himself and like hayduke also loved to throw beer cans on the side of the road. i guess to him the road is litter anyway and so what beer cans scattered along it.

kenhill- thanks for the links. i had checked out a couple of those but there's one i haven't seen yet. again, thanks.