Tracy and John bought a tiny 8-acre island in the middle of a freshwater lake in Northern BC for $76k CDN and have been living there full time for over 2 years. There was a small cabin on on the island that had seen better days and they have been restoring and fixing it up and that's where they live! The couple has solar power for electricity, they draw water from the lake (and filter it), and they collect their own firewood from the island for heat. They have a composting toilet and they use propane for cooking and hot water. Since they live on an island year round in all four seasons, they have an air boat that allows them to get on and off the island in any weather – even during the shoulder seasons when the ice isn't safe to cross any other way.
You can follow and find out more about Tracy and John's Off-Grid Retirement Island here:
https://www.youtube.com/@IownaIsland
The couple both worked for a charity for most of their lives so they don't have pensions form their employers. But the low cost of living on the island has allowed them to retire early at 54 and they are self-funding their retirement using some funds from the sale of their house and their retirement savings until they reach 65 and can access old age security and CPP.
They saw many folks never reach retirement age and decided they needed to take the plunge and do what they wanted to do before it was too late. So far they have no regrets despite some challenges like being far from family, living on a budget, and dealing with intense weather and forest fires.
They are actively setting up their lives so that they can age in place on the island for as long as possible including making the paths safer, and using small machinery like a skid steer to help them with heavy jobs.
You can follow their journey on YouTube here:
https://www.youtube.com/@IownaIsland
Thanks for watching!
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CREDITS
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Music Credit: Exploring Alternatives
Editing Credit: Exploring Alternatives
Filming Credit: Tracy and John from Off Grid Retirement Island
https://www.youtube.com/@IownaIsland
#offgrid #tinyhouse #remote