Does Anyone Have Experience with Yurts?

Mulga Bill on 02/02/2022 - 12:30
Last edited 07/02/2022 - 10:14 by 1 other user

I am considering purchasing some farm land (power and water connected) and a Yurt in the next few years to live in. edited: Off-the-grid would be nice but only if solar will power airconditioner, fridge and computer without issues.

I understand I will need to have it delivered to me and have a bunch of mates to build a deck and the Yurt. I would install a split system air con and need PC and satellite internet for work.

Has anyone here bought a Yurt before? What were the additional expenses you did not think about?
What sort of solar panel/battery array would I need to run a fridge, split system and computer if I was off-the-grid?
I am thinking an outside toilet connected to a septic system would be the way to go.

Home & Garden

Comments

  • weezlebub on 02/02/2022 - 12:40
    +1

    it'll get cold, but if you're keen on the lifestyle you might have more fun with a geodome :)

  • MS Paint on 02/02/2022 - 12:44
    +12

    Does Anyone Have Experience with Yurts?

    I did a few years ago but my GP prescribed a cream that cleared it up in 2 weeks. All the best with your recovery.

    As the old poem goes…

    When you're feelin' sick
    Because of your *ick
    Just pray it's not yurts
    Cos that $hit hurts

    • Heaps for Cheaps on 02/02/2022 - 18:56

      Poem? What about an MS Paint depiction?

      • MS Paint on 02/02/2022 - 20:06
        +1

        I've got one ready but is NSFW

  • Jimothy Wongingtons on 02/02/2022 - 12:49
    +2

    Hey! Then I could follow my dream— living in the woods and keeping a journal of my thoughts.

    March 15th. I wish I brought a TV. Oh, God, how I miss TV.

    • Qazxswec on 02/02/2022 - 13:53
      +1

      You are not Jim, Jim is not Asian!

  • Hellfire on 02/02/2022 - 12:53
    +2

    Friends bought a place in the country and wanted to put a yurt on it but ended up being much more expensive that they thought.

    Some other considerations.. You'll likely need council approval and depending on the area it might need to be bushfire rated. Also you probably need a bathroom, kitchen, water tanks, and collection.

    • Jimothy Wongingtons on 02/02/2022 - 12:58
      +2

      Bathroom? You’re standing on it already!

      • Hellfire on 02/02/2022 - 13:01
        -1

        Outdoor showers wouldn't be fun in most of Australia during the winter but you can if you want!

  • singlemalt72 on 02/02/2022 - 13:19
    +1

    I would suggest doing some reading into tiny houses - it's a movement that has been gathering traction over the last few year and allow a functioning domicile with all the necessities with a relatively small footprint (ecological, physical, economical). It isn't cheap, buy any means, but is worth looking into.

    Other considerations
    Planning/consent, what is the zoning of the land, what is and isn't allowed
    Sewerage - you will need to construct/install some kind of septic system
    See if fixed wireless NBN is available in the area, otherwise you will need satellite. Mobile is possible if you have signal, or a booster if signal is nearby.
    Property access (driveway or access that won't be weather-dependant.

    • weezlebub on 02/02/2022 - 13:43

      starlink internet FTW!

      • singlemalt72 on 02/02/2022 - 14:18

        A bit costly (setup especially) but I suppose it offers better speed and less datt limitations than Skymuster.

    • Quantumcat on 02/02/2022 - 15:31
      +1

      Tiny houses are usually on wheels so they don't have to be compliant in regards to square metre spacing for bedrooms and bathrooms and windows

      • Peter Enis on 02/02/2022 - 16:28
        +2

        Face it, they are caravans for the Instagram crowd.

        • PVA on 02/02/2022 - 20:09

          Exactly.

        • singlemalt72 on 03/02/2022 - 08:57

          And you can say the same for #vanlife, but that doesn't mean thousands weren't doing it years before "influencers" and continue to.

  • Richmond Tigers on 02/02/2022 - 13:31
    +8

    Yurts can house 5 population and have 500HP. If destroyed by an enemy, they can only be replaced by a house.

  • Hithere on 02/02/2022 - 13:38
    +7

    I told my partner that things were getting very tense between us.

    They replied "I agree. Things are so tents it yurts."

  • Quantumcat on 02/02/2022 - 15:29
    +1

    Might not be possible to put solar panels on due to the curved / angled roof. Ground mounting them is more expensive. To get certificate is occupancy to live in a place you have to have a septic system. This is expensive to install and costs money to maintain it. You also need certain square metre space for bathroom, bedrooms etc. Some people can get away with a non compliant structure by making it look like a shed and claiming it's only a weekender if investigated but a yurt will not look like a shed. Collecting rainwater may be complicated on a curved/angled yurt roof.

    If you are going to use it as a weekender / glamping I say go for it but living there full time will be expensive to set up. Not saving much if anything vs getting a kit home.

  • MercSal on 02/02/2022 - 15:43
    +1

    Apart from all other factors, I can speak to the power requirements. I run all those things you mention during a sunny day of 6.5kw system without any importing. You will need to go bigger to also have battery options charged, so you can run on cloudy days and at night.

    • WT on 03/02/2022 - 12:10

      there is also multiple cloudy days to consider

  • pharkurnell on 02/02/2022 - 15:56
    +2

    I had to google what a yurt was….

    I think I'd pass thanks.

  • EightImmortals on 02/02/2022 - 16:18
    +3

    "I would install a split system air con and need PC and satellite internet for work."

    So you are looking for a Smart Yurt? You can get them but they will only connect to the IOY (internet of yaks).

  • AustriaBargain on 02/02/2022 - 16:59
    +5

    How can you live off the grid if you're literally connected to the power grid?

    • Ryanek on 02/02/2022 - 22:35
      +1

      Literally connected to the grid would kill you

    • Mulga Bill on 03/02/2022 - 10:57

      sorry for the ambiguous sentence…I like the idea but I like electricity better. If a solar set up with battery would run fridge, aircon and PC without restrictions then off-the-grid would be an option.

      • AustriaBargain on 03/02/2022 - 12:04
        +1

        Doesn't living off the "grid" refer to the electrical grid though?

  • sharkyoz on 02/02/2022 - 20:38
    +1

    Yurtle the turtle lol

  • raptormesh on 02/02/2022 - 20:45
    +1

    A hobbit like dwelling might be a better idea if you can dig.

  • Ashless on 03/02/2022 - 09:27

    When the kids were younger, we used to go to the yurt farm. https://www.yurtfarm.com.au/ (Goulburn NSW) . From memory, there are about 12 yurts on the farm. Mike, who owns the farm, built them all himself. May be worth spending a weekend on the farm talking to Mike.

    • Mulga Bill on 03/02/2022 - 10:53

      That's a great idea, thanks. I am in SA so a bit far away at the moment but I will keep it in mind.

      • weezlebub on 03/02/2022 - 11:19

        oh, SA, there's a few places that do eco-hut building courses and stuff like that … the GF is in barker and wants to do a similar sort of thing on her 20a

    • Grunntt on 03/02/2022 - 13:33
      +1

      Just had a look at the list of kid's activities - pretty extensive and much more practical than the usual 'how to paint a pebble'.
      I do like -
      30. How to change the wheels on a car
      31. How to get a vehicle out of a bog
      32. How to deal with snakes and spiders
      38. How to make and pour concrete.

      • weezlebub on 03/02/2022 - 14:13

        daymn, sounds like a walford / steiner school :)

        • Grunntt on 05/02/2022 - 08:30

          https://www.yurtfarm.com.au/100%20Activities.pdf

          Here's the full list in case you want some ideas for next school holiday activities.

          • weezlebub on 07/02/2022 - 10:39

            @Grunntt: that's awesome, i sent it to the missus, she's started planning to implement …

            she's planning to home school because she doesn't want her kids to get jabbed, so will need lots of activities to keep the kids busy

  • OzHunterNSW on 03/02/2022 - 15:57

    When you do….. get back in contact: I have some rather interesting Shamanic stories to tell, relating to the yurt.

  • Euphemistic on 04/02/2022 - 15:38

    Off grid plus air conditioner? Have a rethink and build something that is passively cooled/heated as much as possible. 1st rule of off grid is avoid using power.

  • Mulga Bill on 07/02/2022 - 10:20

    Sorry for the confusion re: my off-the-grid comment in the post, I have now edited my comments. While off-the-grid would be nice it is not my main priority ie. having airconditioning, fridge and computer is essential for me so unless some sort of solar set-up will adequately cover this it will need to be connected to the grid. The land I am looking at would have power and water connection available.

    • weezlebub on 07/02/2022 - 10:37
      +1

      if power is connected to the property, you'll need to pay supply charge, even if it's off grid - they'll never disconnect you …

      not a big deal, but may be a factor …

      my off grid would be a boat, i just have to find one big enough :)

    • Euphemistic on 07/02/2022 - 10:47
      +2

      You should be able to design so you don’t need an AC, but fridge and electronic toys are essential! Every dollar you spend on setting up a passively heated and cooled residence will save multiple dollars down the line. Do it right when you build.

      The builder of our house was smart. North facing verandah that shades from summer sun but allows sun in during winter. Windows open on all sides to allow cross breeze for cooling. Insulation to keep us warmer. Ceiling fans in most rooms. We hardly use AC and save on electrons.

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