Alternative housing?

[LadyMaryofDownt0n]

I've saved almost £17,000 & would like to find some sort of unique/self build/alternative housing.

Obviously it's only a starting point but has anyone any ideas how I could use the money wisely?

Or should I just keep saving?

[isthistoonosy]

Could you look at barges - depends where you live of course.

[cozietoesie]

There are so many factors to consider - eg where you're thinking of living, what sort of family you have ( if you have one), what you and any other people do for a living, what sort of lifestyle you really want, what skills you have etc etc etc.

[MrsTerryPratchett]

There are people here converting vans and living in them. But you have to be wary of safety and laws about travelling.

[LadyMaryofDownt0n]

No barges here unfortunately. I am in rural Ireland. That would have been a great idea though.

Family of 4
Middle income
Minimal diy

I was thinking cob house
Caravan
Log home
A house built from tyres.

That type of thing if anyone has any ideas/experience?

[NoncommittalToSparkleMotion]

Place marking as this kind of stuff fascinates me.

What about like a houseboat or the tiny house movement?

[NoncommittalToSparkleMotion]

Sorry, scratch houseboat.

[Katymac]

Strawbale houses are good

[Chiliprepper]

Earthships?

[cozietoesie]

I'd just be careful that whatever you do, you do with a detached and thoughtful head on you. £17k is not a huge amount of money but it's still a fair amount of cold hard cash and you don't need to be swung into contributing it to a collective dream which doesn't actually pan out. (I'm not saying that collective living doesn't ever work out but there might be some dreamers out there who haven't a clue about real life issues. Things can take an awkward turn sometimes over supper and a few bottles of wine.)

[LadyMaryofDownt0n]

Cozie, rest assured we are level headed. Money will be well though out. We've been living an alternative lifestyle for a while now, this is just the next natural step for us... I hope!

Straw bale is an option. Any advice on how I would start/ what I should look for first?