I'm moving into the woods alone

So, here it is guys, the new adventure I've been scraping all my pennies together for. I've always envisioned myself one day moving into the woods alone, with my own little cottage, to play in. I just always thought it would be me as cute old lady... until i realized "huh, I don’t have to wait" 👵🏼
So here I am, ready to dive into learning about a whole lot of stuff I currently know nothing about, and take you guys along with me.
Cross your fingers for me 🤞🏼😉

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💁🏼‍♀️FAQ💁🏼‍♀️

*What kind of van do you have/how much did it cost/how many miles did it have on it when you bought it?*

My van is a 2001 Ford Econoline E250 that I found via Craigslist, I bought it with 67k miles on it - it was listed for $3000, but I got them down to $2400.

*What are you filming on?* iPhone 11 Pro

[joeapp]

I lived alone in the woods for five years until I decided to return to civilization (big mistake) seven years ago. There are four things I'd recommend you do right off the bat:

1.) As other people here have suggested, get a couple of dogs. Not only are they great companions but they're the best early warning system you could have regarding the presence of wild animals and people.

2.) Get armed. I had never owned a gun before I lived in the woods alone, but when I woke one morning not long after I moved into my cabin to find a black bear literally staring at me through my bedroom window licking the glass I decided to arm up. Most encounters I had with both wild animals and the occasional stranger were uneventful and innocuous. However, there will be exceptions. You can count on it. It's always best to be prepared.

3.) Stock up on at least a month's worth (preferably two) of food and water. If you live in a cold weather state and intend to reside in your cabin through the winter, you might end up snowed in for days or even weeks at a time depending on how far off the beaten path you are. Which leads to #4.

4.) Get to know your neighbors and local county sheriff. I moved to an isolated spot to be alone. I'm guessing you did too. However, there are times when you may need the help of other people. In case of an emergency, especially one that results in you being incapacitated somehow, your neighbors performing periodic welfare checks on you may be the only thing that prevents you from dying a long, slow, agonizing death all alone in the woods. Regular check ins with your local sheriff will help keep you up to speed on anything unusual that may be happening in your area. My local sheriff would also call me after bad storms to see if I was okay. The more people you have looking out for you the better.

Good luck.

[hannahleeduggan]

The amount of absolutely lovely, happy, sweet comments that are flooding in right now made me have to go outside, lay on my van roof and laugh/cry happy tears over how wonderful life feels right now.
I have so much love going on in my body right now I don't know what to do with myself.

Edit - the amount I have learned about being able to rent goats to clear land is astounding, and the comment content I didn't know i needed. thank you to everyone who has mentioned goats, i hold a special place in my heart for u. ♡♡

[Happy-uywc]

I loved living in the woods alone.
Yes, you need dogs. Don't compost in the open. It will attract rats, raccoons and bears etc... When I lived in the woods (for 18 years) in the winter, when I couldn't get to the store, I would feed my dogs oatmeal with table scraps. Burn everything paper that burns and recycle as much as possible. Keep more firewood than you think that you need. Pinecones make great fire starter.

[headingoutside]

I just LOVE your inventive and adventuring spirit. I'm 78 and live alone in the woods—not as rustic as you are doing, but with the same spirit. I build my own outbuildings, and love that I can do things myself. If I were doing my life over, I'd do exactly as you are doing while you are still young. I love too that you saved the bee. Your beautiful soul is shining out in this video. I wish you much happiness on your adventure through life..

[Whorology]

Wow congratulations random lady who popped up on my recommendations!! This is great and I hope you have the time of your life 😊

[Tara-oghp]

In the future when you’re frustrated about a project you’re working on in your cabin please come back and watch this video. See how excited you were when you bought the property. It’s easy to get caught up in emotion in the moment! Congrats! The outhouse is so cool!!!

[djkillachris]

Insulate everything, most importantly the roof. With a wood stove, the intense heat will go up to the roof deck and react with the cold of the actual roof and cause nasty condensation. That can cause mold. Just remember this, if there are no leaks or signs of mold now, and you start to add insulation where it wasn't before, be extremely cautious and make sure that there is proper ventilation on the back, outer wall side, of the insulation. Same for the roof. Research insulation roof batten and how to stop condensation / mold. Trust me. And good luck! Looks amazing

[MKCH]

"gonna go south for the winter"

ur literally a bird. and i love it. heck yes

[vsee]

Dump the ashes from the woodstove into the outhouse. Will eliminate all odors. Keep a coffee can in the cabin for night peeing.

[bellasophia]

I’m honestly even more excited to see you fix up this cabin than the van life videos!

[dusk]

I am a woman living in the woods, definitely get an alarm, a couple dogs and a gun. Its beautiful freedom living out in the country but you have to be safe. I wish you the best, CONGRATS!

[rainingpeace]

I really appreciate you including the financials because I know it can be personal. This lets me know I could literally do this right now!!!! I am so excited that it’s not as unobtainable to own land and a cabin as I thought it might be. Thank you! Looks lovely

[familyadventures]

I'm paying $2, 000 a month in a city and believe me my soul is screaming at me to get the hell out of here and do the exact same thing

[livb]

you moving here and doing this really reminds me of the girl from Kiki's Delivery Service who lives in a little cabin in the middle of the woods and is friends with all the crows and just spends all her time being creative and doing what she loves. i'm so happy for you !!!

[thelandofmint]

Congratulations young lady, best decision ever. Now, get yourself a dog, he'll be a great friend and companion.👍💚 I did the same ten years ago..moved out of London UK to the mountains in central Europe. I bought a very small old house, I grow my food, keep chickens, barter with local small organic farms, preserve most of my food...never go back to city life😁🌻💚

[emilybennett]

I'll never forget watching this and you for the first time when I was flown down to a neurosurgeon hospital to have major spinal surgery after a accident on a motorbike camping alone, I could not feel my legs from belly down and was not sure if surgery would work... Following you for 9 months straight in hospital away from my three little girls was what got me through. Hannah I can not thank you enough, I showed my parents and they could not believe how similar our personalities are haha. I would rewatch your Reno videos until you would upload the next. Telling myself every day I WILL buy a house and do Reno's. Well 6 months ago I did just that. My husband left me after dating for 20 years since we were 13 years old. So I was a single mum thinking crap can I do this... Well I met a man who treats me like the most incredible woman and also has two children we now all live in my 3 bedroom home and about to extend extra bedrooms. Me personally can only do the gardens but God I'm greatful every day I get to walk outside and create our own paradise. Now looking for a new property with ALOT of land that has a cabin and I thank you for that as before your videos I was mentally so drained and lost. You gave me strength and something to look forward to. So thank you Hannah.
PS sorry for long message hahaha but I wanted you to know how much you helped me through a difficult time xx

[chrismadden]

Reminds me of when I bought an abandoned farmhouse in 1972. The foundation had caved in on one side so the house was tilting into the basement hole. I repaired and remodeled it myself over the next 13 years while we were living in it. My kids have fond memories of growing up in the country but then it burned down from a chimney fire when we weren't home. You might want to pick up a lead paint test kit at the hardware store before you continue scraping that paint. When dealing with lead paint safety gear and precautions are advised. Sanding is not advised. Good luck and best wishes.

[johnjaco]

had the same feeling as you many many years ago. did it and never looked back. Still living the dream.

[connieinthesun]

I just bought 6 acres of magical woodland and am having my tiny home built. I will live alone as well in my enchanted paradise. Congrats to you! Enjoy your sanctity and peace of mind.

[fancydreaming]

We’re very tired of paying rent. It’s getting ridiculously expensive. We hope to buy a house within a year. My dad would have loved this place. He was a true mountain man.