Going Off-Grid in Texas

[@LaineyBug2020]

Lol, Texas gets a C-Minus! This would be a fun series to do for each state!

[@firstname7470]

I would like for him to go state to state actually finding people who are living offgrid and give their origin story and if they are doing it legal or not. There is a reason you don't see 300 sq ft homes all over Texas...government. They need you to pay lots of property taxes since they have no state tax. A 300 sq ft home won't cut it. There are about 4 counties in Texas that will allow a home smaller than 400 sq ft, but it has to be built to regular building standards and codes. If it is in a county that has utilities, you still have to sign up even if you do not use the service.

[@alexb506]

@@firstname7470Texas has no property tax, the house size is also not taxed, I know this because I live here.

[@brothermayihavesomeloops7048]

​@@alexb506fake news

[@ridnthawave708]

I’m from central Texas. Grew up there and came and went over the past 20 years. Possibly looking at moving back there but very hesitant. Took a job 10 years ago here in the central east coast region the Virginia‘s and Carolina’s mostly. Honestly if I wasn’t considering going back to my home state and finishing up my working career, I’d probably find something out here now. Land can be found cheaper here compared to west. Rainfall is abundant. Climate is more moderate you actually get seasons. The coast here is a heck of a lot better than most places between Texas and Alabama and I know that’s highly opinionated. Unfortunately some of these areas can shift in politics rather quickly like Virginia. But besides that still have some parts of Tennessee, even West Virginia I don’t know why people don’t look at that but who knows.

[@brothermayihavesomeloops7048]

2:50 I'm glad you said this about avoiding the sprawling metros. I grew up about 15 miles outside of Austin. My family complains that too many people have moved there when it used to be so quiet and low key, and their property taxes have increased. Valid frustrations, but they were just first in line!

[@MadPutz]

The Mineral Wells to Possum Kingdom Lake area has cliffs/hills.

[@brothermayihavesomeloops7048]

Oh, the entire state with maybe the exception of East Texas struggles with drought. I don't remember a time there haven't been water use restrictions. Central Texas appears to have adequate rainfall on paper because it gets hit with huge flood events in the spring, usually. Look up Memorial Day Floods 2016 if you want more information. It was bad in the more proper hill country. I worked in one of the badly hit communities 3 years after it happened, and people were still recovering. The problem is getting worse with increasing population, but people keep moving there. I used to ride the city bus my earth sci professor coincidentally took, and he would tell me about the spring he was studying that was related to the acquifer. Usually the spring wouldn't flow at all.

[@mj_callen]

I just bought my first piece of land in West Texas! Such a beautiful area and very cheap land. I'm really excited to build some small structures, try to revitalize the soil for growing food, collect rainwater, etc. Can't wait

[@jtoolr]

I hope you do an entire series on this... including territories.

[@acornlandlabs]

We will! It will just take time

[@pearleeannea9715]

Off subject here, but I wanted to ask you what is your opinion about the Midea air conditioning units? I have one (8000 btu) that doesn’t have the heat pump option, and was planning to use it to cool my 300sqft tiny house on wheels. My understanding was that it has a fairly low power draw, so it could be run on a modest solar system. What do you guys think?

[@habibifather7681]

Im in DFW and hes right. Stay away!!! Been here 5 years and already looking for another part of the state i can move to. Few hundred per acre? No. That's wrong. Even in West Texas, still looking at around 20k for a few acres. New mexico has acres of land for a few hundred per. I've been doing lots of research.This is how I know. The forty-five minutes out from any of the major cities is kind of correct. You might actually want to try at the minimum of one hour and a half out of any major city. We don't get a lot of Earthquakes.But recently there has been a lot in West.Texas.Also the new madrid fault is not far so if there's a major earthquake on that we would probably get a lot of damage. If you are interested in land anywhere in the country, do it now because as time goes on, it's just gonna get more and more expensive. Do not wait!!

[@acornlandlabs]

Land prices everywhere have skyrocketed - West Texas prices have gone up incredibly too. You’re right, getting way harder to find any deals out there

[@myurbangarden7695]

Urban sprawl is an issue

[@barrydallmann3692]

90 minutes away from a big city? My goal is 60 minutes away from a Walmart...

[@brothermayihavesomeloops7048]

I concur about being 90 minutes outside of a metro. Plenty of people are willing to make a 45-minute commute in Texas. Honestly, I've met some 90s, too. As the metro areas grow, homes become increasingly expensive on those outskirts, so that the 45-minutes-out towns are now where the affordable single family homes can be purchased.

[@Green_Tea_Coffee]

@@acornlandlabs Yes. A lot of this has to do with large investment firms buying up not only single-family homes, but now rural land and property. I think you've touched on this in some of your past videos.

[@3moirai]

Lubbock and Amarillo are not in South Texas. They in the plains area you point out.

[@acornlandlabs]

Yes - the voiceover was timed a little awkwardly too late when we circled the panhandle. We know they are in the panhandle :) Will work on that timing in future videos

[@3moirai]

@ gotcha 😊 i figured it might be an editing/timing glitch. My family is from Rio Grande Valley/South Texas area. Very hot and very prone to drought.

[@TrunkyDunks]

I live outside of Dallas. Cross off virtually ANYWHERE North of Dallas to basically Oklahoma. (panhandle and out towards Wichita Falls are exempted). It is booming. Tyler is beautiful but not awesome for off grid. I bought my home on land in north Dallas as an investment. Because in 5 years im sure itll be sold. I love Texas, Its awesome. But if SHTF I hope I'm not here.

[@acornlandlabs]

Sounds about right! DFW is a beast

[@SoulfullyHealthyLiving]

I'm just outside Tyler but still Smith County. Fortunately, I haven't any issues being off grid (Or maybe I just haven't been caught yet).

[@123tfoo]

Houston is famous for not being zoned.

[@M.Subramanyam-ty4]

Hi bro good evening🎉🎉🎉

[@ourmobilehomemakeover662]

While it’s true that conservative governments tend to let rural homesteaders do what they want, they put most of their energy into making the state attractive to big business. That means that your pristine off grid property could get invaded by polluting entities at any time. Texas is famously anti-EPA and does almost nothing to protect air or water quality. Also, as mentioned, suburban sprawl is overtaking rural areas at breakneck speed and putting a lot of pressure on road and water infrastructure. Car dependence is insane and the culture is such that everyone is driving the biggest-ass truck they can afford.

[@igyracer2006]

Can you do other states as well on video?

[@dl6321]

I don't blame you for this because Texas is huge, but your knowledge of the areas in Texas isn't great. Still I love the video and think your points that you make are still valid.

[@acornlandlabs]

It’s a high level review, trying to hit the key points for folks since none of us can possibly explore or be familiar with all 50 states

[@elsa_g]

If you have time, is there anything important you think he missed? Especially with the Amarillo region (where I'm interested).

[@brothermayihavesomeloops7048]

I saw this comment before watching and I have to agree. I'll still help the algorithm because cool channel. 🖤 Elsa, if you haven't started your research yet, Amarillo is in the upper panhandle, practically Oklahoma. Nowhere near central Texas where Hill Country is.

[@OmDesk]

Could you make one for Michigan please ?

[@brothermayihavesomeloops7048]

I was dragged there against my will and spent 17 long years waiting to get out. Hard pass.

[@acornlandlabs]

What part?

[@brothermayihavesomeloops7048]

@acornlandlabs Near Austin. In fairness, my perspective comes from growing up there, not the lens as an aspiring homesteader. Can't ignore how their politics left me for dead, either, and I think every woman and family should have that factor in mind.

[@ourmobilehomemakeover662]

While it’s true that the conservative government tends to let rural homesteaders do what they want, they put most of their energy into making the state attractive to big business. That means that your pristine off grid property could get invaded by polluting entities at any time. Texas is famously anti-EPA and does almost nothing to protect air or water quality. Also, as mentioned, suburban sprawl is overtaking rural areas at breakneck speed, putting a lot of pressure on road and water infrastructure. Car dependence is insane and the culture is such that everyone is driving the biggest-ass truck they can afford. Farm to market roads are getting crowded with commuters driving way too fast. It’s getting quite dangerous.

[@quellcristfalconer9457]

“Good ol boy network” = groups of imbeciles that despise people that don’t look like them. Good to know where you stand before I subscribed👌🏼

[@acornlandlabs]

We didn’t say it was good. The term itself is a pejorative. It’s a good thing to avoid for freedom.

[@SulferDragon]

I live in Texas, and I wouldn't live off grid here. If I did, it would be somewhere near the Guadalupe mountains by the NM border. Still hot, just not much humidity. Problem out there is water.

[@lynwoodjones]

🙌

[@martinhawes5647]

Why do Americans call wind turbines windmills? Do they not understand what a mill is? The thing which crushes grains between stones.

[@masonbaylorbears]

I have 11 acres for sale in east central Texas with city water and electricity to have utilities before going off grid if anyone is interested

[@talusranch990]

@@masonbaylorbears if utilities are installed they must be used by law pretty much anywhere.

[@masonbaylorbears]

@talusranch990 i have no clue how that would be true or work, but they are both ready to be installed but neither are installed yet so a non problem

[@talusranch990]

@@masonbaylorbears occupancy permit requires utilities if present on street. Off grid not available if utilities at street

[@masonbaylorbears]

@talusranch990 it's in Texas not in city limits not California dude

[@talusranch990]

@masonbaylorbears I read the words "city water". I hate CA and dumb people.

[@BrotherGene]

Please do TN

[@annjames1837]

Unaffordable

[@yamnaya88]

Atrocious climate and demographics

[@user-jx2kg2er5o]

East Texas, better be a certain color 😅

[@floob247]

Y'all don't like boomers?

[@yamnaya88]

@@floob247 blacks and hispanics.

[@yamnaya88]

@@user-jx2kg2er5o you enjoy it, I like my crime low if you know what I mean

[@talusranch990]

@@yamnaya88 maga!

[@talusranch990]

Austin fanboy..... liberal

[@acornlandlabs]

I’m not a huge Austin fan. It’s ok to visit

[@glockfanboy4927]

MAGA

[@Green_Tea_Coffee]

Insofar as they've said anything political, they aren't lefties.

[@blueandgreenslacks]

@@glockfanboy4927 M ostly A ssholes G overning A merica 😂