How a $10,000 block of land has given me freedom
I always thought that by my mid-20s, I'd have a life like Monica Geller from Friends, living in a cosy apartment in Sydney's bustling CBD.
But life had other plans.
I suppose that's the beauty of being young and naive; when you're in your early 20s, you believe life will turn out just as you imagine, even when reality suggests otherwise.
For me, reality was loud and clear: "You can't afford to rent, and you're not eligible for a large mortgage loan."
Nothing highlighted my inability to access the housing market more than my employment status.
Despite being among the minority of people with disabilities who were gainfully employed, my earnings were rarely sufficient.
I drifted between two worlds: living at home with stability but limited independence, and subletting a room and sacrificing personal space.
Attempts to improve my financial situation were often met with silence from potential employers, who seemed to see my disability before they saw my qualifications.
Being locked out of the housing market forces you to rethink your options and face an uncomfortable truth: the dream of home ownership might always remain just that, a dream.
For me, this was a problem that needed to be solved.
Growing up as a first-generation Australian with a disability, thousands of kilometres away from my extended family, I often worried about the lack of support for me beyond my mother and sister.
With no inheritance or 'bank of mum and dad' to rely on, securing my future wasn't just a goal, it was a necessity.
A TV show called Building Off Grid — about people who have chosen a less travelled path to home ownership — opened my eyes to the freedom I have to choose my own path.
I had a light-bulb moment; why not buy 1,000 to 2,000 square metres of land and build a place of my own?
I set a maximum budget of $20,000, a figure that made my friends and family think I was bluffing. However, it was an amount that my savings could easily cover and I would be mortgage free.
My criteria was simple: the land had to be within five hours of a capital city, surrounded by nature and mountains, classified as residential or agricultural land, and have access to water, electricity, and plumbing. It also needed to be accessible by a public road.
Finding a block of land that met all my requirements was easier said than done.
Perth was out of the question. The Northern Territory and Queensland felt too remote, and land in New South Wales was either overpriced or had building restrictions that meant it was suitable only for camping.
Then in April 2023, I found the perfect block in a small country town called Carrieton, located on Nukunu land in South Australia.
Four hours from Adelaide and one hour from Port Augusta, the land cost only $10,000 — well within my budget.
As soon as I saw the online listing for the 1000sqm land, I was sold. I decided I didn't need to see it in person and jumped.
Once I took the plunge, the actual process of purchasing the block became a daunting experience that I was completely unprepared for.
The entire transaction took place online, which made me anxious.
I was dealing with people in a different state, meaning different regulations, and for the first time in my life, I was making an adult purchase that would change the trajectory of my life.
This was nothing like spending $50 at a restaurant or on a dress to treat myself.
I constantly questioned my judgement: Have I lost my mind? What am I doing? Am I being serious, or just hopelessly naive? Is this a scam?
That self-doubt lingered, but I pushed forward, driven by the promise of freedom.
When my friends and family found out I had purchased the land, they were stunned and I was suddenly flooded with questions like "What are you going to build?" and "How will you make it work?"
Their curiosity was both validating and intimidating, underscoring the enormity of what I had committed to.
Had I bitten off more than I could chew? Absolutely!
Buying land in the middle of nowhere comes with significant challenges, especially when the goal is to live there full-time or turn it into a short-term rental. These are challenges I have yet to work out.
Logistics such as building permits, designs, arranging shipments and funds, and accessing basic amenities are all ahead of me.
But the benefits of owning something are undeniable; I've created a foundation for myself, a safety net that offers both stability and independence.
I've been able to shift my focus from worrying about my future to imagining the possibilities ahead.
Owning this land is my declaration of freedom.
Am I worried about being isolated? Not at all.
Living with a disability and being excluded from society teaches you a tough lesson: if you let isolation define you, you'll always be treading water, barely keeping your head above the surface.
It comes down to a choice: keep begging for a seat at the table, or make your own rules.
Vanessa Mbeve is a New South Wales-based writer with Cerebral Palsy, passionate about exploring social dynamics and sharing her unique perspectives through her writing, both fictional and non-fictional.
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