Originally Posted by stevep
Secondly, the city vs. sustainable country living question, I was just curious as to what others thought. I assumed that maybe someone has thought through this before and had an informed perspective.
I've considered the city vs. country living problem. In fact, it's a hot issue for me right now. My significant other wants to live in the country but I'm already dug in pretty good at my condo in the city.
I don't think there's any way around the fact that country living makes you totally car & truck dependent. Whatever you manage to achieve in the way of sustainability and self reliance has to be balanced against that.
On the other hand, I know a few folks who have homesteaded for many years in the country. One pattern I've seen is to start out with pretty much raw land and a well, then build up everything else themselves. In 20, 30 years tops they have a homestead that suits them with gardens, pastures, cows, barns, hobby shops, the whole deal. But they are absolutely car dependent and they're always working. Not the life for a lazy guy like me.