Something I've always wanted, yet has seemed unattainable, has been a rustic cabin. There is an area about 50 minutes drive away that has several pieces of land for sale. Any of them would suit my needs (to a greater or lesser extent). Being rural Iowa, that land is dirt cheap. Something I can use for a week here or there for hunting or vacation throughout the year.
Ideally, what I'd be looking for is something rural, with no neighbors for at least a few miles (so rifle practice and hunting isn't a public nuisance), have access to functioning well, a small lake nearby (preferably private lake on that property), far enough away from main roads that no on would unintentionally find my hidden cabin, yet close enough to a paved road that getting to my place isn't a pain.
Although, I don't want to break the bank on a dream. On the other hand, I don't want to spend money on something that's less than I need. So, what would be the recommended basics?
I'm thinking of buying one of those mini premade, unfinished studio-style cabins for about $7000 (about 650 square feet) , mounting it on top of a simple foundation of poured concrete. As this will be a camping retreat, I see no real need to hook it up to a power grid (solar panel and generator when I need it) or rural water lines (as long as I have a well). I'd insist on an indoor toilet, so I'd need a septic tank. For water pressure, a small water tower filled by a windmill pumping water up into it. For heat and cooking, a simple Propane heater and stove.
Any other suggestions?
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