getting some land

alokin · Intermediate Crude Joined: Aug 24, 2007 Posts: 793

How important is it getting some more land (besides our garden)?
We haven't got the possibility to move out and buy a farm, but some more land would be good (however prices in an urban area are too high that we could afford it. Something which cannot be built on would be great Someone with similar plans?

Leasing some land seems to me not that good. Because of the investments, trees work and everything, when you have finally a good soil trees than the owner might reclaim it.

Besides that I think of a new community garden, but this seems to be a bit difficult as most of the people here have gardens without anything in it.

Or maybe it's nonsense that everyone tries to grow his or her own food after peak oil??

Cornelian · Posted: Thu Oct 25, 2007 1:21 pm Post subject: Re: getting some land

I guess it would depend on a number of factors - how many people do you expect to have to feed, for example? there is just me, and I can grow enough fruit and veg very easily on half an acre (and only a small proportion of that put into food production) for just me. I coudl likely support three very easily on what I have without much more effort.

Lots of people do seem to like going for the little farmlets - say about 5 acres. I know many who are doing very well from them (in Tasmania). They can grow fruit and veg, run chickens and pigs, and generally live a sustainable lifestyle.

If you do decide to go for land, you need to gamble on future climate change. Will you have access to water? That is likely the most critical problem for Australia, and it is hard to get an answer for it. Also check council regulations regarding land use.

As for whether or not it is nonsense whether or not people will need to grow their own food after PO ... growing your own food is always good. You know what has gone into it chemical wise (or not as the case may be), it will always be far far more nutritious than what you buy in shops, and there is nothing like the feel good buzz of not being dependent on The System. Self-reliance is always better than dependence.

alokin · Intermediate Crude Joined: Aug 24, 2007 Posts: 793

Definitively. Now I even don't like very much shop bought organic veggies, it's not the same.
What I am looking for is not a farm, because my husband works here and we don't want to contribute to global warming with long distances driving. A piece of garden land ans orchard.
my grandparents had this always, some pieces of land here and there, with low maintanance orchards. they were very typical these days, now everything is built on.
But everything wound here seems to be constructible land, so I have to search for a left-over piece were it is not possible to construct.

electric_future · Posted: Fri Oct 26, 2007 7:41 pm Post subject: Re: getting some land

I would save your cash; property of all types is ridiculously overpriced and almost certain to be a lot cheaper in the near future (unless we get hyperinflation!)

Growing your own food is not going to be necessary for a looooong time IMHO; however growing some expensive and non-staple items might save you a good chunk of your grocery bill; for example herbs, tomatoes, fruit, lettuces etc instead of potatoes.

Make the most of what you have got already will be the mantra post peak IMHO.

alokin · Intermediate Crude Joined: Aug 24, 2007 Posts: 793

I grow most what I can anyway, not because of the grocery bill, because of the taste. I have even plans to grow the driveway.
Some month ago, when I first had the idea but was unaware of PO I thought it maybe reduce our house value if one must leave the car outside, but now I think it's OK because the value of a car will decline (not with my car that's not possible anymore)

rostov · Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2007 4:19 pm Post subject: Re: getting some land

electric_future · Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2007 5:29 pm Post subject: Re: getting some land

Anecdotally, I've heard that the auctions for urban/suburban land or houses with enough land for subdivision have been disappointing.

Generally these used to be bid up well over QV by developers using money from finance companies, then developed as multiple titles, townhouses or flats, making a nice ROI.

However with the weekly finance company implosions no-one will lend to the developers and the properties are only attracting market rates...

Hopefully NZers will switch their investments to something other than 100% property...

electric_future · Posted: Sun Dec 09, 2007 5:30 pm Post subject: Re: getting some land

Talking of rents, I think they have actually gone down for certain types of property- oversupply!

Certainly there has not been much of an increase.

TonyPrep · Posted: Mon Dec 10, 2007 2:26 am Post subject: Re: getting some land