As stated back in the One Year Later post, I’m not seriously looking for another piece of land until I sell the current property. Although I’m in no rush as the current mortgage helps me with taxes, the expense of brush clearing for the coming fire season and anything else that could happen (see Landslide!) are expenses I could be saving for the next thing.
Having had the time to reflect on the past four years, I really wouldn’t change much, especially since many of the factors that lead me to sell the property were beyond my control and really a matter of bad timing. However, the biggest learning is to not underestimate the cost of building on a hillside and all the extra work that goes into it. However, if I wanted to stay in Los Angeles and find a flatter property, the cost of that would go up dramatically – so everything would net out the same, cost-wise, but the timing would be shorter. With respect to timing, LA requires a lot of approvals, and being in a protected corridor only added to that list – so again – longer lead times versus being in a less regulated space.
Even though I’m only passively looking at what is available, thinking about ‘where’ has occupied most my time. Since I ride a motorcycle, traffic really isn’t a concern, as I can get almost anywhere in the greater LA area in under 30 minutes. So being outside LA but close enough to head in as needed is definitely a consideration. Also because I’ve been car-less for almost a decade, I’ve mastered the art of getting almost anything delivered or strategically renting a vehicle when needed and stocking up on all the things I can’t get easily delivered. So really its about being close enough to get into the office when needed plus any of the other things I’d want to stay tied to LA for.
Having a little more land space and being a little more remote – would also be good – and anything in the greater Los Angles area is not known for being spacious (at least within my price target), so heading further out definitely has it’s advantages, and opens up all kinds of possibilities. As I’m passively looking at more remote locations, there is one thing I have to remember – basic services – especially Internet. Being an early cord cutter, most my entertainment and the majority of my work requires a fast connection – so satellite isn’t going to cut it. Beyond that, having to run water (or have a well dug), electricity, and creating a road to a more remote property – also comes with a high cost that can negate a lot of the savings of looking outside Los Angeles.