homesteading the San Luis valley, co (Alamosa, Monte Vista: rental, lawyer, mobile home)

[BIG G FROM PA]

Originally Posted by johnhadams

it is about 15 minutes due west of san luis. Off of 142. Has great privacy, there are no neighbors. I'd recommend it for someone who lived on the property. Otherwise, it is best to have someone you know that can see a dwelling in order to keep things safe.

good morning john

i agree i was looking into 35 acres down below melbys was way out there... I read about all the break ins because of the remoatness just how bad is this problem ?? I read about a guy left building matierals at his cabin....they even took his chain... The 5 acres i have just below smith res. Has a neighbor in view..is this why you built on 5 instead of 40

[JohnHAdams]

Originally Posted by BIG G FROM PA

Good morning john

great to hear from you and i am glad we both share the same ideas i am not worried about the cost of drilling right away cistern/tank will get me started were is your 40 acres located ill check it out... I would like to hook up this summer...... See your place... Trading work can be a good thing

You could camp on the property this summer. I have enjoyed my time in the San Luis Valley. I think simple living has a lot of merits. Seeing a car drive by is almost an occassion.

I try to be more conscientous than greedy. Building a dwelling is risky unless one either lives there or knows reliable neighbors who keep an eye on things. That is the downside of remote dwellings. I think the economy has made property crime more common in all affected areas.

I built a pole barn on five acres that has more neighbors. I plan to live in Denver as long as my clients can stay in business and pay me. So the SLV is my spring/summer/fall project.

Summers are awesome, the temps are in the 80's. The area is growing, there is construction going on. I'll be happy to answer questions though I have yet to be an area expert by a long shot.

Note: I wrote this post before seeing your post this morning.

[BIG G FROM PA]

Good morning john

this will be my decieding factor also is neighbors..i lost 2/3 all i owned in divorce 5 1/2 years of hell... Worst loss..46 acres in wv /cabin that i built/used 20 years you are doing exactley what i plan on... A lot for me to learn out there i plan on building very simple.. And being able to use a couple months a year when i retire and live simple... I joined this forum to meet people like you with same plans [ though i have a lot to learn about navagating on this forum i cant wait to get out there... Many things i would like to ask ...george

Originally Posted by johnhadams

you could camp on the property this summer. I have enjoyed my time in the san luis valley. I think simple living has a lot of merits. Seeing a car drive by is almost an occassion.

I try to be more conscientous than greedy. Building a dwelling is risky unless one either lives there or knows reliable neighbors who keep an eye on things. That is the downside of remote dwellings. I think the economy has made property crime more common in all affected areas.

I built a pole barn on five acres that has more neighbors. I plan to live in denver as long as my clients can stay in business and pay me. So the slv is my spring/summer/fall project.

Summers are awesome, the temps are in the 80's. The area is growing, there is construction going on. I'll be happy to answer questions though i have yet to be an area expert by a long shot.

Note: I wrote this post before seeing your post this morning.

[JohnHAdams]

Originally Posted by BIG G FROM PA

Good morning john

this will be my decieding factor also is neighbors..i lost 2/3 all i owned in divorce 5 1/2 years of hell... Worst loss..46 acres in wv /cabin that i built/used 20 years you are doing exactley what i plan on... A lot for me to learn out there i plan on building very simple.. And being able to use a couple months a year when i retire and live simple... I joined this forum to meet people like you with same plans [ though i have a lot to learn about navagating on this forum i cant wait to get out there... Many things i would like to ask ...george

I think a good rule of thumb for any dwelling that is infrequently used:
1) Don't leave anything you can't afford to lose.
2) Or build it where it is quite unattractive to burglars.

We all want a remote place yet they are candy for vagrants and low lifes. The valley is much too large for the few cops to really manage. Cordless grinders will cut almost any lock...a new challenge.

I have three different people that keep an 'eye' on my enterprise.

[BIG G FROM PA]

Originally Posted by JohnHAdams

I think a good rule of thumb for any dwelling that is infrequently used:
1) Don't leave anything you can't afford to lose.
2) Or build it where it is quite unattractive to burglars.

We all want a remote place yet they are candy for vagrants and low lifes. The valley is much too large for the few cops to really manage. Cordless grinders will cut almost any lock...a new challenge.

I have three different people that keep an 'eye' on my enterprise.

people will steal anything...this i know...a lock will only keep a honest man out...
i think reserch is key to any plan..at first i wanted to be real remote 20-40 acres...now i think it would be better 5-10 acres closer to a town/people.. there is always the threat of being ripped off..but as you said the more eyes the better

[mhouse2001]

Blanca Peak speaks to me every time I have driven by. I can hardly keep my eyes on the road. I don't live in CO (yet) but with my eventual lottery winnings, I'd definitely build a home facing it. And it's not because it's so beautiful, it's because of its setting and the views of it from so far across the San Luis Valley. It was my introduction to big mountains and I still am in awe of it. The quiet. The distance. The desert. The snow. The Native Americans revered it for a reason and I must be unconsciously doing the same thing.


MODERATOR EDIT: I've copied this posting from another thread to show people the land in the San Luis Valley (SLV), which is very dry and covered in what you see in this excellent photo.

[C.Watts&Family]

Originally Posted by BIG G FROM PA

Good morning john

this will be my decieding factor also is neighbors..i lost 2/3 all i owned in divorce 5 1/2 years of hell... Worst loss..46 acres in wv /cabin that i built/used 20 years you are doing exactley what i plan on... A lot for me to learn out there i plan on building very simple.. And being able to use a couple months a year when i retire and live simple... I joined this forum to meet people like you with same plans [ though i have a lot to learn about navagating on this forum i cant wait to get out there... Many things i would like to ask ...george

Hi George,

My family and I have also bought some land about 13 miles south of San Luis, in the valley. We are planning on moving there around the first week of September of this year. We are going to live in our 5th wheel at first but are planning on putting a manufactured home on site and will be working hard to build a small farm out of our 5 acres of land. There is alot of land around our property that is either for sale or is available thru the county via tax liens which is how we are looking to expand our land holdings using this method of investing. We are advocates of self-sustainment!

[wanneroo]

Originally Posted by C.Watts&Family

Hi George,

My family and I have also bought some land about 13 miles south of San Luis, in the valley. We are planning on moving there around the first week of September of this year. We are going to live in our 5th wheel at first but are planning on putting a manufactured home on site and will be working hard to build a small farm out of our 5 acres of land. There is alot of land around our property that is either for sale or is available thru the county via tax liens which is how we are looking to expand our land holdings using this method of investing. We are advocates of self-sustainment!

I hope you have water because that is one of the driest places in Colorado, when CO is already a dry state.

Self sustainment is great if you have the water and season to actually grow something.

[Lugnuts]

Originally Posted by abludragon

I am working on building and living on my homestead in the san luis valley of colorado. I was wondering if anyone else is doing the same. I just retired and this is my year to start. Sure could use some help finding things in the area, like where to get wood for building and burning.
Thanks

I was trying to do something similar. You'll need a greenhouse to grow anything or at least cold frames. Soil is crap so count on raised beds. You'll also need some kind of irrigation system. Here's a contact for wood: 720 940-1602. His rates are $70 per cord, 10 cord minimum or $65 per cord for 20 cords or more (pine or aspen). After firewood permits and gasoline, you couldn't cut it that cheap. That's the delivered price of 25 foot trunks. You cut and split. I also have a sawmill and tractor for sale. PM me if interested. Good luck.

[BIG G FROM PA]

good afternoon please keep me posted on your venture..i am planning on comming out this fall and would like to see how your making out....george

Originally Posted by C.Watts&Family

Hi George,

My family and I have also bought some land about 13 miles south of San Luis, in the valley. We are planning on moving there around the first week of September of this year. We are going to live in our 5th wheel at first but are planning on putting a manufactured home on site and will be working hard to build a small farm out of our 5 acres of land. There is alot of land around our property that is either for sale or is available thru the county via tax liens which is how we are looking to expand our land holdings using this method of investing. We are advocates of self-sustainment!