Greetings from the UK

[ScottyKM]

Hi guys and girls.

I'm scotty, 34 married with 1 boy of 4 and another on the way.
My wife and I are both serving soldiers (I'm an armourer- bit different to how the US army does it, and the wife is a cbt med tech)

Once I finish my 22 years in 2016 we are hoping to emigrate (my pref is the US, hers is Canada)

We would love a log home, some of the finished houses on here are amazing!
So far the only one we have seen 'in the flesh' was in Germany, a Kit home.

My dream is to buy a patch of land (maybe around 20-30 acres) having lived in Army housing for 22 years I'll be wanting some space!
build my own house on it and bring up my children in a decent atmosphere.

Green card issues etc aside how achievable does that sound, I guess we'll have around $70-80k to spend on the whole shebang (including living expenses while we build) plus my pension will be around $800.
obviously I'll go back to working once the house is built!!

I have considered doing this in the UK but the way it is now with regards space etc- no chance, I can buy woodland, around 3K for a few acres, cant build on it, cant even spend more than 28 nights per year on it.

so, hi all - and yes I know 'take the class!!"
once we get a bit of money saved we will fly to the USA, do the class and have a fact finding trip.

does anyone have a simple blog (wife isn't too computer savvy) that I can show here so she may get enthused? at the moment she likes the idea of buying a kit and having it built, I like the idea of no mortgage!!!

[StressMan79]

once you take the class, a kit will be out of the question. I don't have a blog, although lots of people do, you can see my youtube channel if you want (in signature)

Thank you for your (albeit british) service.

[loghousenut]

Hi guys and girls.



Once I finish my 22 years in 2016 we are hoping to emigrate (my pref is the US, hers is Canada)





Scotty, Your post makes me feel so blessed. You serve the best of your youth for your Nation, only to emigrate half a world away to a lifestyle that fell into my lap. Either Canada or United States will suit your log house and acreage dream just fine. You'll find more of your accent north of the border.

If you liked the kit house you visited in Germany, you will probably go nutty when you first touch a home made of whole logs. Read what you can on this site and go over the photo gallery with a magnifying glass and see if the addiction will take hold. If you both remain attracted to the idea, you will want to take the class and let the real planning begin. If this thing works for you, it will change your life in a big way.

As you read this you are thinking it will take forever to get done. Don't worry too much about the time. You will probably be done before I am and by the time you are my age you may decide to do it all again.

No blog for me yet but a photo or two.


http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t55/loghousenut/Wow/1stsnowontheroof11-2010001.jpg


http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t55/loghousenut/Wow/Rooffinally042-1.jpg

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t55/loghousenut/Wow/Rafters9-2010228.jpg

[rocklock]

I was born in Washington state. Its called the evergreen state for obvious reasons. I believe my log home is different from what is expected. I tried to achieve a light, open and airy environment. I also have a small video that has some unique features like cutting and digging a large tree and its stump. If you know what you are doing and have the right tools its really easy as the video shows. There are over 200 photos which may help your wife to understand that log homes are made with real logs.
I did a search for land in Washington and its really hard to find land at 1 to 2 thousand per acre... http://www.windermere.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=about.home I used this site.
If I were you, I would find jobs first then find the land and live on it while you are building. Do not attempt to get a mortgage.
I wish things were different in the US but states (I have been to all states) will have a large impact on your life style. Each state is really different. There are places within even the desirable states that I would never build, most notably the Seattle - Tacoma area in Washington. As much as I love California, I don't even like to go inside its boarders. Each area has positives and negatives, but it is such a personal decision that I hesitate to state my opinion other than the above. I can think of areas in every state that I could enjoy. Some states have a reputation like Arizona and you think of deserts. But there is a large area that has pine trees... and some of the trees were free. I can name some of the areas but that would be just showing off... So if you can get a job, then there are probably places near that you will find it easy to build.
About Canada. I really like Canada (during the summer), at least the western (BC) part or the very eastern Islands. Again, probably a job will be the deciding factor.
About Hawaii (where I live during the winter). You can make a small fortune here as long as you bring a large one...
Good luck

[ScottyKM]

Hi Guys,
thanks for your thoughts.
I have served in Canada (on exercises), my wife did 5 months up there.
I have done a couple of layovers in the US, but I have worked alongside a lot of US Army types, both in my current job and my previous role of Infantry.
One thing that has always struck me is the positive thinking & outlook, the freedom, and the space of your country.

My Country used to be a great place, however uncontrolled immigration and a very weak govt for the past 10 yrs has erroded it, I have spent the last 10 yrs living in Germany with the Army and come back to a country that isn't what it was.

So, the planning starts now.
Over the next 5 years I shall be doing more civilian work on firearms and hopefully forging some links in the US, I may even have the chance of a Canada post for 2 years.
Next year do the class, the way I see it the earlier I do it then the more time I have to make plans, if I plan now, Ill likely have to change once I do the class.

[ScottyKM]

Flintlock, I have just had a look at your gallery, all I can say is what an awesome looking house. Thats my dream right there!

[jasonfromutah]

Scotty:

Here is our blog:
ourloghomejourney.blogspot.com
I would be happy to help you out with any land questions you might have (I live in the Western US).
Best of luck! It sounds like you already have the right attitude. Make sure your wife takes the class with you!!

[Timberwolf]

Hi Guys,
thanks for your thoughts.
I have served in Canada (on exercises), my wife did 5 months up there.
So, the planning starts now.
Over the next 5 years I shall be doing more civilian work on firearms and hopefully forging some links in the US, I may even have the chance of a Canada post for 2 years.
Next year do the class, the way I see it the earlier I do it then the more time I have to make plans, if I plan now, Ill likely have to change once I do the class.

Scotty,

Welcome to the forums, hope to see you on the members side. I could sing the praises of Canada, of course, because I AM CANADIAN, but either way, you'll do fine. If you do manage to do a tour in Canada, and you make it to Ottawa (HQ) look me up, once you take the class, you can check out my place, I'm less than an hour from the core, and at the rate I'm building, you'll still have a chance to pitch in, as I won't be done!

Bonuses: pretty cheap land close to cities, especially when you get a little farther north. Think less than 60K for 100 acres on water.

Oh, and LogHouseNut, what the heck is that on the ground around your place. Looks like frost... :p

[ScottyKM]

Timberwolf, thanks for your offer, looking at yourbuild photos, wow, how many bedrooms is that? Looks like 4 floors!
How long did that take to get to the stage its at?

Sorry for the questions!

[Timberwolf]

Timberwolf, thanks for your offer, looking at yourbuild photos, wow, how many bedrooms is that? Looks like 4 floors!
How long did that take to get to the stage its at?

Sorry for the questions!

No problem... questions don't bother me at all! LOL, the funny thing is, the house looks a lot bigger in person. When people turn on to our road, they usually assume it's a little cabin from a mile or so off. It's actually planned as a 4 bedroom, although I could comfortably build in 6. I call it a 2 1/2 story with a basement, as I may later plan a loft over the second floor bedrooms. If I live to June ;), I'll have been at it 2 years. That's weekends and evenings... plus some vacation time.

[loghousenut]

Scotty,

Welcome to the forums, hope to see you on the members side. I could sing the praises of Canada, of course, because I AM CANADIAN, but either way, you'll do fine.

Oh, and LogHouseNut, what the heck is that on the ground around your place. Looks like frost... :p


Hey Timberwolf, That stuff on the roof and ground around my place is called snow. Here in Sunny Southern Oregon the definition of snow is "anything that excites school children and then melts to become mud".

Below is a photo of our family snow camping.

http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t55/loghousenut/Wow/Muddyhole.jpg

[ScottyKM]

Well good luck in your build.
Showed the wife some student homes in the gallery today, she's getting ideas already!

Looking to get out to vegas maybe next year, she is slowly getting more into the idea now, and I've just found out that a course I have done at work sets me up nicely for work in the CONUS, few guys have emigrated on the strength of it, so who knows! (examiner of lifting equipment, chains, SWR, shackles, hyd jack systems etc)

[ScottyKM]

Hey LHN, thats a look I am reallllll familiar with!

[loghousenut]

Hey Scotty...

Emigrate to Sunny Southern Oregon and you'll feel right at home. Thanks for you sacrifices to the cause.

[ScottyKM]

Well in order to give me a sense of scale I measured my current house today.

6m x 7.2m (20' x 23' ish), so, that gives me approx 900' sq, over 2 levels.
in there we have 3 bedrooms, kitchen diner, lounge and a bathroom.

So from my calcs a 30x30 log home would double my living space! Have started sketching some ideas working on the principle that 4 corners = 1 house.

Any idea when the 2012 class dates will come out? Or if there are more coming later in the year?

[panderson03]

Hi ScottyKM. welcome:)
they usually post new classes a few months before the class dates so I don't imagine you'll see anything for 2012 for several months yet.
Keep reading and asking questions though. I like your enthusiasm. seems like you fit in real nice to our family here:)
again, welcome. and as others have said above, thanks for your service. keep safe.

[ScottyKM]

Cheers for the welcoming comments.
Using floorplan for ipad to make plans, going to email them to my wife for comments!

[jsuttner]

Floor plan for iPad? Is that an app?

[ScottyKM]

Yep, not got massive CAD style features but good all the same, and simple to use too

[ScottyKM]

Yep, not got massive CAD style features but good all the same, and simple to use too

my bad, its called 'livingroom' cost me £2.99

[DDaniel]

Hi Scotty, I am from the UK and I have done 22 years in the British Army as well. I have taken the class and its fantastic. You need to do the class as soon as you can as it will take years of planning before you will be ready to build.
At present I am looking for interested people so I can build a home or holiday let for them hear in the UK. As you say it is not easy to get Log Home build permission over hear or find land at a reasonable price. Holiday let Log Home is much easier but I am competing with insulated wooden sheds.

David
07891259673

[ScottyKM]

David, I may well call you for a chat at some point!

What Regt/ trade?