Hey there, we are new to Alberta and live in Fort Saskatchewan. We're also fairly new to prepping and have been gradually been building up food and gear. It's been years since I've camped and my husband has never slept in a tent....we want to find a campground that isn't too far from home that isn't too comfortable so that we can gain some real outdoors experience, possibly somewhere that will rent sites seasonally to tent campers. Any ideas out there?
Also, we're looking ahead to retirement, which isn't too far off (we're both in our mid-50's). We will have to be creative as we don't have pensions and we were thinking of eventually buying a plot of land and maybe building a tiny home. Any ideas of where in Alberta land is still cheap and agreeable from a prepper's perspective?
Any input would be appreciated!
First, let me welcome you to Alberta and nearby Fort Saskatchewan, Catwalk.
I'm not originally from here but continually am being treated like a local by many I meet.
Second, a great place to try "tent" camping locally since it has been a while for you is nearby Elk Island National Park.
However, now that winter is setting in, you may find the campgrounds closed. I can't say for certain that is true, but check the National Park website for Elk Island and it should tell you.
I also am in my 50s, and though I don't plan on retiring any time soon, have been making various plans, i.e. prepping, travelling, working, etc.
You should find lots of interesting real estate options in this province, with the less expensive items much further away from the big cities, major centers and tourist hotspots. I've been checking the online MLS and there are loads of opportunities, depending on what you would like to spend.
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Is what you say worth at least a Canadian nickel now?
Cause two cents ain't worth squat anymore !
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Self-sufficient is good. Co-efficient is better.
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Thank you for the welcome! I should have mentioned that I'm thinking ahead to next summer for the camping....I'll try Elk Island for sure. Thanks!
If you need tents or sleeping bags, I might be able to help out ... as I have a few of each.
They are in storage for the winter, though I always keep one sleeping bag in my vehicle as winter back-up
and to attach to a BOB / GHB if needed.
I was recently introduced to hammock camping
- see http://internationalpreppersnetwork.net/viewtopic.php?f=14&t=4289 -
by my buddy Preppersaurus, and it is awesome.
Now, like him and his wife, doubt I will ever sleep on the ground ever again.
=============================================
Is what you say worth at least a Canadian nickel now?
Cause two cents ain't worth squat anymore !
----
Self-sufficient is good. Co-efficient is better.
=============================================
I will be looking for tents and sleeping bags closer to the spring for sure, thanks. Right now we're trying to figure out what kind of tent will work for us.
Wow in addition to Preppersaurus's review, that is some testimony to hammock camping .
Well, Syn, I can't go into all the details of the camping weekend, but suffice to say after some difficulty adjusting the first night to sleeping in the hammock, I slept very soundly and warm. The second night was even better.
=============================================
Is what you say worth at least a Canadian nickel now?
Cause two cents ain't worth squat anymore !
----
Self-sufficient is good. Co-efficient is better.
=============================================
Welcome to Alberta
I am just chiming in, in regards to your thinking about a retirement propertyand small home. It is possible to find inexpensive places, and they are usually a bit off the beaten path. if you go to the Real estate site, ... ( realtor.ca ) you can enter some search basics based on your wants. I can tell you that I personally always search for a residential, 1 or more bdr, 1 or more bathroom on an acreage and a max amount of $100,000.00 and I chose all of Alberta and BC, because you never know what will pop up or where. this search should be done weekly and may take you weeks or months even longer to find what you want and where. BUT even if you are not ready now looking at what is out there will help you plan for when the right one comes up.
Point of fact I have bought 2 properties in the last 3 years exactly this way, one with a 3 bdr house on 1 3/4 acres (that I live in) and I also found some raw land (53+acres) within 5 km of that and both together cost me under $100K.
So the deals are out there, even in Alberta or BC. ... I hope this helps you because I know it works for me
Things I say are my opinion, which is like belly buttons everybody has one.
Anything I say is not meant to anger or offend just to encourage discussion between adults.