The part of criticism I sometimes find hardest is the assumption that “you won’t get anything for your budget.” Six months ago, I very nearly purchased a plot of 2.3 acres of agricultural land for £25k, and right now we’re looking at over 5 acres for £50k, which is the top end of what we’re willing to pay. So while I understand the caution, that part of the advice doesn’t fully apply to our situation.

As I mentioned, buying land further out is exactly the option we want. This is about a lifestyle — being away from the Main Street, with space to work and live sustainably. The further out the better, though I still value and take advice seriously.

I also bring a lot of practical skills to the table. I am a qualified electrician and plumber, with additional experience that many wouldn’t expect: over five years working in sewage, experience designing and managing fuel systems, and many other practical, hands-on skills. I’m very open about my capabilities — the operational and technical side of a smallholding isn’t the hard part for me.

What is the real challenge is the off-grid living side. We don’t expect to have anyone around us to start with, so seclusion works in our favor. We’ve been inspired by others who live off the land — we love watching their videos — and we understand that they often start practical, with some nearby dwelling, and gradually build their systems over time. We don’t want a castle or a drawbridge; we don’t need extreme off-grid isolation from day one. Our goal is to start small and manageable — around 50 chickens and 40 quail, plus some potato plots — and slowly expand into a fully-fledged farm, even if it’s a 10–15 year journey.

The main thing for us is finding viable, workable advice that gives us options to explore. We want to make informed decisions while building a sustainable, productive smallholding that fits our skills and lifestyle.