Markus Meszaros wrote:live off grid // do my own thing with minimal interference // where I can purchase a small piece of land affordably (1.5-3 hectares) // US$20k // land will be secure // angry locals etc.
Hi Markus,
As for Chile I can tell you the following:
Off-grid living is perfectly possible, there are enough spots where solar energy and streamwater are abundant.
You will find a plot of land of this size (be aware of scams that sell you land which does not belong to them), but for your budget it will be well remote. If you are looking to be within 1h of a decent town, then you look at 3-5x your budget, i.e. 10-50k for half a hectare. Building code is very liberal and in the countryside it is rarely enforced. Many locals live in illegal houses for generations.
The land will be legally secure, except if you buy in an area where land ownership is contested by indigenous tribes, mainly in La Araucania. Locals can get angry at any point, anyhwere in South America. Which is why many people try to live in condos where somebody guarantees their safety. Break-ins and robberys do happen, even in places where people do not have valuable belongings. It is standard to put high walls, acacia fences, electric fences etc around your property, and aditionally have a full-time dedicated housekeeper who lives there and is aware 24/7.
[Disclaimer: these are personal observations from 12+ years living in Chile, having a plot of land with a house but in a controlled setting close to Santiago. The above described might or might not apply to your situation ...]
Take into account that Chile is one of the worst affected countrys worldwide by climate change. I suggest you go south in order to make sure you have abundant rain for the coming decades.
Cheers
Lukas
