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Brianna Kathrinus wrote:Something I also just thought of...
If I contact a tiny home builder, he would probably know all the zoning and codes for IL right? Maybe he can suggest an area to move to.
I got the name of the codes from the building dept and did a search--not sure how we're supposed to understand this. I guess we just ask the builder--can you adhere to this?
An article I just saw today...IL just wants us homeless. All I can think of.
https://www.illinoispolicy.org/chicagos-housing-policy-still-promotes-exclusion/
Melissa James wrote:+1 to Josh Hoffman's comment.
I purchased a (very small 8' x 6' x 6') aluminum trailer to heal from mold + chemical illness.
It was made without high VOC products. It is too small for longer-term, but it provided an option when desperately needed. It was custom built to be mold and mildew resistant with metal walls and a metal floor. It does not have a subfloor or any paneling.
The brand is WeeRoll. He has a waiting list for production. If you'd like to buy mine, PM me, and we can come up with a fair price that works for you. It has electricity (15 AMP) and can be powered by a 110V outlet.
Mine is similar to this, except with fewer windows for less chance of moisture intrusion. It has a new window A/C unit that fits in the opening of the backdoor: https://weeroll.com/weeroll-nomad-8/
Josh Hoffman wrote:We traveled full time in an RV and now are stationary on our land but still live in the same RV.
We researched and invested in a better quality RV since we expected to use it for a long time. We purchased an "Aluminum Toy Hauler" aka ATC. My previous experience and that of other folks, is that the standard RV is a disaster waiting to happen with water intrusion and eventual mold and rot. The ATC does not use any wood, whatsoever, in its construction.
Over time, we have learned that a lot of people buy these RV's to help them recover in a mold free environment. They purchase and park them.
I can say that after over 4 years, we have no issues with water damage or mold on or in the RV itself. We have a lot of friends that travel, some of them are on their 3rd RV in a handful of years because of water intrusion.
The only issue with the ATC is that they have increased significantly in price, like most everything else, since we bought one.
Glenn Herbert wrote:You can probably eliminate half of the counties simply for being too urban or other considerations. Look at the rest and see whether they have positive characteristics that you might like. Then start calling the ones you feel best about, and expand your inquiries as needed.
Eric Hanson wrote:Brianna,
At the risk of going off topic, I can give you a bit more of an explanation of where Carbondale/Southern Illinois sits in regards to St. Louis.
Carbondale is about 90 miles south-southeast of St. Louis. Personally, I don’t consider the St. Louis suburbs in Illinois to be in Southern Illinois. But to be fair, there is no clearly defined northern boundary that defines Southern Illinois, just as there is no clearly defined boundary that defines Northern Illinois. And having grown up in Central Illinois, the boundaries were always fuzzy.
But geologically, things are different. Those corn fields that you hated to look at (which I personally liked) continue right down to Illinois-13. I-13 is the last east-west state highway that crosses the state before reaching the section of the state that was never glaciated. And in some places, I-13 runs less than a quarter mile before the un-glaciated area becomes obvious—the plains of Illinois run directly and dramatically into the sharply rising hill area where the hills rise sometimes hundreds of feet above the surrounding plains. Some people erroneously refer to these hills as mountains (they aren’t mountains, but they are dramatic!).
I-13 bisects several medium sized cities-Murphysboro, Carbondale, Carterville, Marion, Harrisburg. I live just to the south of Carbondale where the un-glaciated land becomes hilly and my land is on rolling countryside adjacent to state forest with the Shawnee National Forest (750,000 acres) nearby. Further south, the land has more in common with Missouri or Kentucky than with the rest of the state.
And it is a drive! When I was dating wife, the entire courtship was long distance. She was a medical student in Chicago and I was a teacher in Carbondale. I would see her on average every other weekend. On Friday at 3:00, I told students that if they had any questions, ask on Monday! I beat them out the door and my drive to my wife’s apartment was a 5 hour, 37 minute drive. Long, but doable. Today when we go to see her family west of Rockford, it is about a 9 hour drive.
So to sum this whole post up, if you are willing to get to what I call the “real” Southern Illinois (as defined by geology), then there is a world wholly different from the Chicago area or even much of Central Illinois. And just to be clear, Carbondale is well south of St. Louis (whose suburbs I don’t consider to be in Southern Illinois). Also to be clear (and again Brianna, this might not be you), I have met a great many number of people from the Chicago area who cannot conceptualize the size of Illinois, how far south it extends from Chicago or just how to define the very notion of what Southern Illinois even is. Recently I took my daughter on a college visit to Illinois State University in Normal, Illinois (I grew up 15 minutes from the campus!), We were paired with a prospective student and father from Palatine). They considered ISU to be in Southern Illinois, despite ISU being located in the northern third of the state. My point is that the region and distance are hard to conceptualize for many and though the area is beautiful, proximity to familiar places should be considered.
Again I have rambled on. Maybe you can get something useful from this. If not, then maybe you can find something humorous?
Eric
Melissa James wrote:I've been in a similar situation and know it's hard to find housing when not feeling well (both in terms of the time and energy required). I would encourage you to focus on the counties.
When you find a land parcel in a county of interest (whether for purchase or rent), call the county Planning & Development Department. It may have a slightly different name, such as Planning & Zoning, etc. The number will be on the county website.
Explain you are wanting to place a tiny home on a parcel in their county and ask what is needed to be compliant. Provide the square footage of the tiny home and any other details (such as whether it will remain on wheels or placed as a foundation).
Each county has slightly different rules and regulations, and this is rarely explained on their website. It's a lot easier and faster to simply call and ask. Most people are kind and will want to help or will direct you to the right person.
Tiny home rules typically vary depending on whether you keep it on wheels (similar to a RV) versus establishing a foundation. The rules can also vary if the square footage is larger, and thus may require a permit.
Spare yourself the online search and call any counties of interest. I can help you with this, if you let me know which counties you are considering.
Sending you strength for this next chapter.
Eric Hanson wrote:Brianna,
If it is codes that you are concerned about, most of Southern Illinois is pretty much devoid of them. It is nothing like the Chicago metro area.
And yes, the geography of Southern Illinois is truly beautiful—I am trying to attach some pictures of a hike I took this weekend that look nothing like the stereotypical image of an Illinois landscape.
As for healthcare, if you are in the Jackson County area (Carbondale), then there is a robust healthcare system. There is a local hospital with an attached medical school residency program and a bundle of specialists. I have to admit that I am a touch biased on this subject as my wife is a doctor who went through the local residency program.
And a word of note/caution: I don’t know how far south you have traveled through Illinois, but Southern Illinois is truly far removed from the Chicago area and suburbs. Illinois is about 380 miles north-south. I have known many people from the Chicago area who consider anything south of I-80 to be Southern Illinois. I-80 is very, very far from where I live. I have known people who referred to Carbondale as being “down south by Champaign.” Champaign is closer to Chicago than Carbondale. This might not be you, but for anyone reading and only associates Illinois with Chicago, Southern Illinois might seem like a world away.
At any rate, I am glad that you can appreciate Southern Illinois natural beauty and I hope that you can get out of your predicament. As always, let me know if I can point you in any directions.
Eric
**Edited to add link**
https://permies.com/t/279353/southern-illinois/Easter-Hike-Garden-Gods-Pictures#2934485