The pandemic has changed life for millions of people in ways that would have been hard to imagine a couple of years ago. Besides the obvious health risk, it changed habits in a way that may take a long time to get over. Between how and where we work, to how we deal with society as a whole.
Travel was hugely impacted and restrictions are only now beginning to lift. Those that needed a break had a hard time finding a remedy. There has been a trend to buy a second home these days so you can get away from it all. Cabins in the woods are suddenly being snapped up.
When you find the right place, you can have a refuge to relax and enjoy nature while social distancing. Instead of dealing with long lines at the airport and many restrictions when it comes to flying, you can take a vacation and do things your way.
In this article, we will go over several ways that you can find the perfect cabin retreat to enjoy your vacation time without worrying about the outside world for a while.
Grid or off grid?
This question used to be a lot more of an issue years ago. Having a cabin in the woods not connected to the local services like sewer and electrical often meant really roughing it. Off grid was very spartan and rough and you had to have a certain tolerance for being uncomfortable.
These days, an off grid cabin can give you all the modern conveniences of being connected to the grid. Which opens up the possibilities of where you want to put your cabin.
Your choices are to be somewhat close to civilization and be connected but maybe have some neighbors closer than you really want. Or, you can get far from the outside world and hook up solar grids and drill a well. Of course, you can still go bare bones and just rely on a fuelless generator solar for your small gadgets and things if you really want to.
The best way to start out is to look for the area where you prefer to set up your cabin or buy an existing one. Then, research what your options are as far as how to connect to the conveniences you are hoping for. If your preferred area is not served by the local services, then make sure to budget for adding solar panels, a well and propane tanks.
Tiny house
One option for your idyllic place in the middle of nowhere is to go for a tiny house. You can save a lot of money in construction costs if you go small. Many people are able to set up an off grid tiny house for just a few thousand dollars. You have a lot of budget options for the building. Shipping containers are very popular for how cheap and durable they are and can be made into a place as rustic or modern as you like. Likewise, mobile homes can often be made into a very cosy tiny home that doesn’t resemble what you often think of for a mobile home.
With so many resources available due to the popularity of the tiny home movement, you can find the ideal solution for your needs. Storage and organization is easier than you think when you take some tips from people that have already set theirs up. If you are on a budget then this is a good way to not take on any debt to be able to have a second home in the woods.
How do you plan to use it?
Finding the right cabin will also depend on how you plan to use it. For instance, are you only planning to go there during the summer and warm months? Or, do you plan to go there all throughout the year?
The reason this is important is that many cabins are not built for four seasons. If you are buying one that is already built, you will need to consider when you plan to use it most. When you are constructing one from scratch then you must factor in the temperatures that you will face and choose the appropriate materials.
You should also consider how long you plan to spend there. If you want to be there on weekends only then you have to have a system that allows you to close it up quickly so you aren’t spending your entire weekend getting it ready to live in and then shut down for when you aren’t there.
Having guests over will also change your search criteria when looking for the right cabin. Maybe you want to get away from people and just spend time alone with your family in which case a small cabin is suitable. If you plan on some social time then make sure it is comfortable enough to have people over.
Be aware of the maintenance
Your cabin may be out of sight for most of the year, but its presence will always be in the back of your mind. That’s because having a second home of any kind requires maintenance. A cabin in a rustic setting can mean even more than usual since there are elements to be mindful of.
For instance, if you have a log cabin then you will need to make sure the logs are being stained every few years to keep the bugs and moisture from damaging them. The roof of your cabin will also need to be patched up occasionally as well as changed every 10 to 15 years depending on the material and weather conditions.
Landscaping is important as well. Make sure to take down any trees which could pose a threat to your cabin in the event of a storm. Old trees can fall and go right through your cabin if you don’t prune them or take them down entirely.
We are happy to present this collaborative post to offer valuable information to our readers.
