“Junk Land” - Can You Afford It?

Many people talk about buying “junk land” for use as a retreat for a worse case scenario. There are several problems with this way of thinking. Do you want to create more problems for yourself and your family? This can be the end result of a desperate action taken without thinking about the viability and sustainability of “junk land”.

What is “junk land”?

“Junk land” is basically land that has little or no value, hence the reference to “junk”. Although, one man’s trash can be another man’s treasure, it can also be a burden.

Advantages of “Junk Land”

There is only one primary advantage to “junk land” and that is the cost. Most “junk land” is relatively cheap when compared with other types of land when cost is the only factor.
Using this as the only consideration is really only viable as a short term option. Sooner, rather than later, necessity will show you the error of your thinking in this regards. There are other factors that need to be included in the cost of “junk land”.

The other advantage to “junk land” is its remoteness. You will be somewhere most people aren’t. Most people will also have difficulty getting there and this can work to your advantage by keeping undesirable elements away. This is a good thing. It can also be a bad thing.

Disadvantages of “Junk Land”

The disadvantage of most “junk land” is the lack of water or its availability. You will need water regardless of where your “junk land” is located. Will the cost of a water well be so expensive as to make it an option that is not feasible? Is the amount of annual rainfall so low that a cistern or rain water catchment system will be an unreliable source for your water needs? Or will you need to haul water at a cost of high priced fuel, expensive means of transport, and a labor intensive consumption of your time?

Another disadvantage of “junk land” is the food factor. Will it grow crops that may be necessary to feed yourself or your family? Does it have a good source of fresh water? Or will it need extensive soil conditioning and irrigation to produce any type of crops? Or is the soil so poor that growing crops isn’t even an option? Or is it located in an area where temperature extremes and the weather will limit sustainable year-round crop production?

A third disadvantage to “junk land” is its remoteness. Will your primary means of transportation hold up to the terrain? What if a medical emergency required immediate help? Would other family members be alienated by its remoteness? Will the cost of travel to get necessary items to re-supply your family be excessive or time consuming?

There is another disadvantage. Will there be power for utilities such as electric? Or will you need to figure in the cost and expense of going off the grid? Will there be phone service for communication? Or will even wirelees communication be impossible due to its remote nature?

There are a number of factors that must be considered when buying land for a retreat. Don't make the mistake of letting price be your only guide or you may wind up in a worse place than the one you left behind. Unless you stop to consider the actual use you can expect out of the land for your retreat, it may not be that cheap after all. The question you really need to ask yourself is whether or not the viability and the sustainability of land for your retreat are present in a manner that will increase your chances for survival. The cost may not be as cheap as you think!

There is an old saying that fits this situation.

You get what you pay for!


Staying above the water line!

Riverwalker