The reconsidering of my dreams matching island reality is ongoing: The latest mistake I made is thinking that offering to clear some land for my non destructive portable cloth bag garden and solar panels at an inexpensive rental. Here’s why offering to clear land is a problem; first consideration is that land on the island is only owned by natives, so an off islander coming to clear land makes landlords and indigenous people immediately worry. Therefore it is not practical or honoring the people to come on so strong. Second, clearing typical vegetation can be problematic because of the nature of that vegetation.
So I thought offering to clear space would be a plus, but, it is a minus, so here’s the adaptations. I’m still cognizant that realtors wouldn’t take my request of using any land seriously for a bunch of reason you could imagine. Fortunately private party owners/landlords will be more flexible to seeing my rental dwelling along with small area outside to use safely as positive.
AI advice; Since you know clearing the ground makes them nervous, change your pitch entirely when talking to independent village landlords.
Instead of offering to clear a patch of dirt, look for a property that has an overgrown concrete slab, an old parking pad, or a gravel patch. Tell the landlord: “I will clean up and sweep this unused concrete space for free so I can set my potted garden on top of it.”
This frames you as a helpful tenant cleaning up the property, causes zero changes to their soil, avoids the tangantangan (invasive and pervasive species that quickly grow back if the tops are just cleared) root problem, and keeps your system perfectly clean and mobile. Next is my pitch:
“Hi, I’m looking to rent the place. I love the property, and I’m a quiet, self-sufficient tenant who pays on time.
I have a neat, completely portable container garden and two small solar panels. Everything sits cleanly on top of removable pavers that I bring with me.
I don’t need to dig your soil, alter your land, or touch your roof. I just need a small 15×15 foot spot on an existing concrete pad, gravel, or hard patch of yard. I’ll gladly sweep and clear any weeds off that spot myself, keeping it looking clean and sharp.
Everything is fully mobile, so if a typhoon warning pops up, I can carry the panels and gear safely inside within minutes so nothing is left loose in the yard.”
The safe solar system including panels only 2x400watt lay almost flat and weighted down until brought in during high wind or typhoon warnings. Again, real estate agents and many landlords immediately worry about projectiles in a typhoon. And they worry about the power possibly being connected to the unit in some way. The reality is the solar system does not connect to the dwelling power. It is separate from the CUC power systems 100%. And 100% portable, and per rental agreement will be stated as myself being 100% liable for.
So I am patient in finding a place, taking however long it takes to find one where I can live out my dreams of living among these wonderful people on a wonderful island in a self sustaining, safe manner that benefits the island and the people. For instance after a typhoon my portable power system will supply power even after people are looking for gas for their generators and my garden will use a portion to start and transplant needed vegetation for the whole island. Likewise neighbors will share the garden bounty.
The addendum’s are just these two: the cloth bag garden needs water catchment or serious filter systems of municipal water for salinity and chemicals. The most practical is to use existing water catchment or for me to develop one, which I would consider with the landlord, as there are at least a couple fairly simple very common methods. And lastly per agreement the ability to use a BBQ, of course safely and brought in before high wind events.
We’ll talk about pets after I’ve been there a year. By the end of first year the party will be finalized that is for the people of the island, in celebration and appreciation of having found my true home there.
The dream: Nicer people and uncrowded, garden, pets, and some solar power. Sure, I can make it more complicated, like anything, but, that’s not such a big ask. I’m healthy with still a strong back and so blessed/fortunate to have come into the time to make it real. I have some passive income and some family help to get started and the dream just gets more real as I go. Less than 2 weeks and I land.
Why did I pick this place, this island, these people? I think more like “why do I align with it all.
All of that is a book in itself.