[mnb]

Hi all

We are new to all this and we have decided to sell up, and try to go self sufficient, my self a IT tech and Bev an ex midwife  we have just had it with the rat race.
If there is any advice anyone could give us we would be very thankful.

We have chickens and goats but these are part of the family, we know where we want to be, but just don't know where to start .

One main question we have, would it be better to rent or buy land  to get started, we are really ready to give up our house for a caravan in the hope of in the future building a straw bale house.

We grow the odd veg in our garden, and enjoy it.
The kids are leaving home this coming September and we are ready for a life style change.

Please throw at us your thoughts as we have a lot of dreams with out a path to lead us there.

[Frieslandfilly]

Well I would go for the buying option if you can, there would be nothing more cruel than to rent somewhere, get it up and running and then have to leave! And definitely go for it  , good luck

[faith0504]

hi and welcome from moray, advice would be look and look and look some more and your dream property will find you and live that dream, we did and we love it, no going back for us, 

[little blue]

hello and welcome
what sort (breed!) of goats do you have?

[mnb]

We have a pygmy goat called Alice she is a lovely little girl aged 2 the only problem is she thinks she is a staffi as she spends most of here time with our two, this is some times a major problem as if she cant eat it, usually Tizzy our 2yr old deaf staffi will destroy it first then she hides the evidence by eating it, Team work at its best.

[HappyHippy]

Hello and welcome to the forum  
I'd say buy too - but if there's no house or plannning permission on the site be careful It's easy to assume you'll get the permission, but sadly not always the case. And buy as much land as you can afford at the start rather than try to add to it later.
But go for it ! You're only here the once and you should do what makes you happy.
Karen  

[silver swan]

for what it's worth and I fully appreciate that MANY roads lead to Rome.

We used to live in Berkshire and wanted to move to Scotland. Originally we were looking at Aberdeenshire but decided Moray suited us more.

1) We got the estate agents round and asked how to get MAX value from the house (redecorating/getting rid of naff conservatory/new carpets etc etc), followed their advice and put it on the market beginning March. Even though it was an ex-council house (and looked it) managed to sell it within 6 days.
2) Rented property in Moray whilst looking for the 'right place'. Took just under two years but now have a lovely home (almost as good as Dan and Rosemary's - that's a thought, buy theirs!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I would!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!)

Guess the message here is sell first then you are in a better position to offer on the new place and have already 'let go' of the past. As the saying goes; good things come to those who wait. BUT are also clear of intent and have faith.

Ha, was posting this and Faith0504 got in there first. The small holding fairies have something to say perhaps!!??

Write a 'wish list' being clear what you would (realistically) like. Stick to it. Fuzzy thinking/changing mind may delay the arrival of your wishes.

I really hope you fulfill your goals. Please keep us posted.  

[The Woodsiders]

Hi and welcome from a wet West Sussex, just wondered from your post do the kids know yet that they are leaving in September???  good luck

[mnb]

We are hinting every day and praying for UNI acceptance LOL

[darkbrowneggs]

Welcome and all the very best in your life style change - Live the Dream

Sue
Dark Brown Eggs

[Brucklay]

we started in Perthshire - sold up and rented in Perthshire while looking but our circle got bigger and bigger and we stuck out for what we hopped for and ended up with 3 stone walls and 5 acres in Aberdeenshire. Don't regret a minute of the past 3/4 years building/caravans/goats/goats eating caravan insulaton/ducks/ducks in the caravan/hatching eggs/ kidding/building/building more/changing things/buying sheep ... life is a challenge and is just great - best of luck to you both

[doganjo]

Agree about buying - if you rent between selling and buying don't do it for more than a few months or you'll fall off the property ladder - the prices are scheduled to start creeping up again later this year.  Best of luck and yes, Dan and Rosemary's place is lovely but only just over an acre I think. If that's enough fro yuo then it's worthwhile looking at it.  I love it, and if I thought I could sell mine I'd buy it.

[Rosemary]

Our house is coming off the sale market and going for let until May 2012 at least - maybe you'd like to try it Mark and Bev. 

[Hilarysmum]

Spend whatever time you have between now and moving reading everything on here, read as many books as you can on self sufficiency, and if at all possible go on courses for every type of bird, animal, skill you may possibly utilise.  It could save you expensive mistakes finding cows are not for you, or that you hate milking goats etc. 

Good luck, be warned pigs are very addictive.

[boiow]

better sell soon because houses are going down in real terms and will be for years yet.  the fieldtofarm forum has good advice to get you started.