We used to have a small ranch about a mile outside of a small town, but we recently (6 months ago), downsized to a small, 3 bedroom manufactured home on the outskirts of a major city. We have a decent-sized yard, though a far cry from the acreage of the ranch. Still, hoping to start doing some prepper steps soon. Next spring will be the garden, and we hope to add some sheds for some additional storage soon. Hoping to plant some fruit trees by end of the year.
We're more prepping for economic issues (and maintaining a level of comfort, ease, and self-sustainability) vs. some kind of all-encompassing doomsday. Wife and I are just in our 50's, and our daughter isn't going to have such interests, so really, we just want to be able to more easily survive disruptions like losing income streams, etc. Luckily, this smaller place is fully paid for, so not having a mortgage is a great step there! It's cozy, but nice, with lots of nice amenities like a wood-burning fireplace, good-sized kitchen, and huge master bath with a nice garden tub, so in lots of ways, better than our last place (though the wife wouldn't agree).
But, everything is new, and working here, which is much better than having to replace a roof, redo the electrical and plumbing, septic, etc. like we would have if we stayed on the ranch. It was simply too much money to pour into that old house. We wisely moved on.
Short-term goals are more focused on security, now with closer neighbors, such as adding a good security system soon. Also adding all kinds of "smart" stuff. I know, I know, most of the more conspiracy-minded are worried about big brother, but honestly, if you're in the system, they have it all anyhow. Besides, it's just a simple flick of the router switch for all the "smart" stuff to go stupid, if it was really a concern.
At least I don't have to mess around with feeding and turning the horses in and out anymore. Done with that. All we have now is our deceased son's snake, a couple of Chihuahuas, 2 big dogs, and a few cats. So no longer the full menagerie my wife had at the ranch!
Power-wise, eventually we'll go with a Generac and some solar, at least until our local utility "allows" for the installation of an off-grid switch. Ours currently doesn't, so going to solar is a moot point, as you wouldn't have it in a power outage (as stupid as that is). Anyhow, thanks for reading all this if you did!
We're more prepping for economic issues (and maintaining a level of comfort, ease, and self-sustainability) vs. some kind of all-encompassing doomsday. Wife and I are just in our 50's, and our daughter isn't going to have such interests, so really, we just want to be able to more easily survive disruptions like losing income streams, etc. Luckily, this smaller place is fully paid for, so not having a mortgage is a great step there! It's cozy, but nice, with lots of nice amenities like a wood-burning fireplace, good-sized kitchen, and huge master bath with a nice garden tub, so in lots of ways, better than our last place (though the wife wouldn't agree).
But, everything is new, and working here, which is much better than having to replace a roof, redo the electrical and plumbing, septic, etc. like we would have if we stayed on the ranch. It was simply too much money to pour into that old house. We wisely moved on.
Short-term goals are more focused on security, now with closer neighbors, such as adding a good security system soon. Also adding all kinds of "smart" stuff. I know, I know, most of the more conspiracy-minded are worried about big brother, but honestly, if you're in the system, they have it all anyhow. Besides, it's just a simple flick of the router switch for all the "smart" stuff to go stupid, if it was really a concern.
At least I don't have to mess around with feeding and turning the horses in and out anymore. Done with that. All we have now is our deceased son's snake, a couple of Chihuahuas, 2 big dogs, and a few cats. So no longer the full menagerie my wife had at the ranch!
Power-wise, eventually we'll go with a Generac and some solar, at least until our local utility "allows" for the installation of an off-grid switch. Ours currently doesn't, so going to solar is a moot point, as you wouldn't have it in a power outage (as stupid as that is). Anyhow, thanks for reading all this if you did!
