“Homesteading” has become a bit of a buzzword of late; young professionals are leaving the city and their corporate careers in droves, opting-out of the fast-paced modern world in favour of a simpler life. Sounds like an episode of Portlandia, if you ask me. But having just quit my 9-5 job and purchased a house on a small island off the West Coast of British Columbia, I guess I am part of the pack hoping to become more self-sufficient in the face of workplace misery and economic stress. Selling my 817sf condo in Gastown (Vancouver, BC) and transferring my life to a 1/2 acre property on Gabriola Island c/w 2100sf home is the most exciting thing I have done in recent years. Sick of the materialistic attitude and elitism of people in the city, I’m retreating to a lifestyle that will allow me to have more free time to read, craft, garden and bake. How domestic! And awesome. This blog will chronicle my various DIY projects, along with my partner J, our ginger cat Pilot, weenie dog Big Suze and hairless rattie Farnsworth. It’s going to be a drastic departure from city life, and we can’t wait.
2015 Update! Funny to read the words I wrote late in 2013 and reflect on where we are now. There are many more animals, more projects on the go, and we have had many failures and successes over the past year and a half. Still haven’t regretted the move for even a single second and can’t wait to learn more skills and customize our little property further. Making big waves in the news of late is the rapidly rising cost of living in Vancouver; average home cost is now $1.27 million. Being a young professional attempting to buy into that market is near impossible, and a new hashtag has sparked activity on social media #donthaveonemillion. More than ever we are thrilled that we were able to leave and make a better life elsewhere (and at 1/4 the cost!), but still near enough that we can work and visit friends in the city in a few short hours. Advice for anyone thinking about making an escape from the city? Do it!!
2016 Update! Things have started out really well for us this year. We continue to settle into the property and make our home, and never for a second regret the move. To make ends meet I have been traveling regularly to Vancouver for work which is a nice balance between the city and rural living. To update everyone on the housing market in Vancouver, this news story has hit social media and people are getting really worked up about what is happening with real estate in British Columbia. Would you buy that property?! We moved a brief commute out of Vancouver and literally saved millions of dollars. The more people I talk to in the city and the more people that view this blog, the more I get asked about how I make it work and I can see the gears turning in their heads. People need affordability when it comes to housing; when you pay through the nose for basic living expenses your quality of life can’t possibly be at its best. I tried it, and I felt like I couldn’t stop working for even a single day because then I couldn’t cover my bills. I set a pace for myself that wasn’t even remotely sustainable. And I was not alone. When in 2013 I said I was moving to Gabriola the average reaction I received was “What are you going to do there?” but now it is almost completely across the board “I am so jealous. I want to do that too.”
Wow! You are living the dream! Thanks for following
Have to admit I am so jealous of your island home & life. I’m trying to achieve a homestead here in Northern England, but the land prices are just mad.
We are definitely fortunate to have affordable land in the gulf islands, otherwise none of this would have been possible! Where in the north are you? J is from Huddersfield!
I’m ten miles south of Newcastle Upon Tyne. 🙂
There is a surprisingly large English population here on the island, the owners of Woodfire are from Nottingham and we’ve run into some others from Stoke. English invasion! Haha
Love this! It’s definitely what my husband and I are looking to do in the future 🙂
Dooooo it! ♥
Hi! I’m a new fan of your blog and wanted to let you know that I’ve nominated you for a Liebster Award! It’s designed to help bloggers connect and promote eachother. You can check out more info about it in the link below. I’m excited to follow along and read more of your journey, and hope that you’ll follow mine as well! 🙂
Jamie
[jamieshomeblog]
http://jamieshomeblog.com/2014/03/28/the-liebster-award/
Thanks so much!!! I just got double-Liebstered! Haha
Haha clearly I’m bad a liebstering folks… you’re the second person I double liebstered! I couldn’t help it though… I poked around on your blog and loved it. Had to nominate you!
Well thank you regardless! I need to start hunting for blogs to Liebster now 🙂
You have captured my thoughts perfectly! I am envious that you have had the confidence to take that leap! Good on you!
Thanks! It’s been a bit scary money-wise, but we are hitting a stride now. I highly recommend this lifestyle to anyone sick of the city, haha.
Found you through the Goodreads F word group and I love your site, great inspiration for my own, definitely going to save it 🙂
Thank you so much! ♥♥♥
Hi there,
I believe I found you via a post on the SF Mistressworks site. Trying to track down some folks who might be interested in reviewing a sci-fi screenplay (short), written by a female author. Not sure if you’re still doing sci-fi reviews (or if screenplays are in your area of interest), but would love to chat more if so!
Thanks so much, and have a great rest of your week!
Miranda
I don’t think I have ever sat down and read a screenplay, but I’d love to! You can email me at taylorhaigh84 at geemail dot com 🙂
Thanks for stopping by and for following my blog! Have a great day!
I think climate has a lot to do with what you can and also struggle to do. When I lived on the west coast I could grow anything and the amount of projects I could do was incredible. Now I am in the south and the bugs can be quite the infestation to an organic garden. Any project can come to a stand still because of the weather. Never consistent so one day it can be storming and the next humid. I give it that it is beautiful here and green. And the amount of land and space you can get for a lot less is nice. Slowly I will get back to the west coast. Your land sounds amazing and I have enjoyed reading your posts. I’m going to dream through you for now! Your pictures are so beautiful and I love your easy writing style! Good reads! Take care and best wishes, Koko 🙂
Looks wonderful and I’m so envious 🙂
You’re living my dream. But i think I will never be able to leave the city…
The fun thing about our move is that we are still close enough to the city to make the trip for work or shows, but far enough away that it’s quiet and relaxing here hehe. Maybe you can find something similar somewhere! 🙂
I hope so, maybe in the future when we decide to settle down a bit.
Hi: Very interesting! Live in Calgary so not that bad here yet but have friends there…. Sounds like you made a great lifestyle choice! Thanks for the follow and I look forward to following your adventures!
Thanks! So far the change has really worked out in our favour! Thanks for the follow :):)
What a delightful variety of topic you cover in your blog. Very enjoyable.
I admire your courage and wish you the best.
Thanks for following my blog.
Really interesting and inspirational story…….I live in Sydney with what sounds like the same busy lifestyle and crazy property prices….and one day, in not too many years, I;m sure I will pack it all in for some chickens, green space and a veggie patch! Thanks for following Feast Wisely!
Very exciting! We have a farm about two hours away and have lived in the city for years…making plans to move to the country!
[…] foxtaylor […]
Felt good to know that you’re following your dreams, not many people get a chance to do so.
Thank you! We have been very fortunate 🙂
Hi Taylor,
Having followed your blog for a while and I’m loving its varied content: especially the posts about your pets and travels. Just nominated you for the Sunshine Blogger award because of the positive energy you brought to this blogosphere. You can check out my nomination at: https://bubblytraveler.wordpress.com/2017/02/14/spread-a-little-sunshine/
Hope to hear from you soon. 🙂;)
Hue
Thank you so much! That is so sweet 😊
I have to congratulate you on breaking free from the hamster wheel that I was on for nearly 27 years. I was (like you) burnt out and tired of making an income in an environment that didn’t suit me for things I didn’t have any time to enjoy. Keep it up, you are doing great I am now working on leaving the city for the beauty of nature around me, you have much to be proud of.
Thank you so much! You are too kind.
[…] Fox on an Island […]
How great that you’re living the way you want to, realizing what’s most important for you. Inspiring! I found you from the blog You’re Not Alone in this World. It’s nice to meet you! Jenny
Thanks for stopping by! It’s been a wonderful journey so far ❤️
It really sounds like it! 🙂
Is Big Suze a reference to Peep Show? :p
It is! 😜