Starting Again On My Own? (aged over 50)

Hi Liz and Friends...In 2014 at 57yrs old, on my own, (my children had left Universities and were beginning to successfully form their own lives/paths/careers in London and LA,) there was absolutely nothing to keep me from following my dream of one day living in Italy! I sold my 300yr old cottage in Dorset, put stuff in a friends lock up, put 4 (big!) dogs in the car with my essentials in the roof box, and drove to the south east coast (Adriatic) of Italy, opposite Rome! I had rented a small house I found from searching online (crazy I know) on the Adriatic coast, in the middle of the area I had researched to live which is the lowest earth quake zone in Italy, that would accept/tolerate my dogs. I originally intended to spend 3 months looking for a house to buy but it took 9 months. When I arrived at the house in the dark, I was on my own (with hounds!) after two and a half days driving, I did not know a single soul, I incredibly did not speak Italian (mad but true), I had NEVER been to this are before and in fact I had not been back to Italy since Rome in 1988 lol! and so the adventure began... I moved into my house January 2015 worked like a trojan...I built raised beds (to the great amusement of locals who think I'm nuts!), grow my own veggies, planted fruit trees, have chickens, Indian runner ducks and quails and different, but still giant, dogs (originals sadly have died). Live a pretty solitary life, walk on the beach except June-August, and have lovely Italian friends, (few people locally speak English). My children visit less often nowadays as they have their own busy lives, so although I bought a bigger house than I need, as I wrongly assumed they would come out often with friends etc., I realise now that it wasn't necessary. IF I ever move from here I will do as Liz says and buy something basically just for myself with a spare room!!! One of the best parts about my story is how encouraging and enthusiastic and supportive my children have been about my move from the UK however crazy it might sound! I have never once for a single second regretted my life decisions... I was totally drawn here, to this beautiful area, but have absolutely NO idea why... The moment I arrived, I felt like I was home... most extraordinary feeling... as far as I know I have no Italian ancestors (would love to do DNA testing!) but my heart and SOUL belong here... It's not so much the people but an inner feeling... can't really put it into words... Yes, of course, there have been some difficult moments, illness a bit too much time isolated, and an enormous amount of hard physical manual labour all by myself, but I've done it! If you have been longing to do something, and as Liz says, your heart and head agree...and you have a strong draw to be somewhere...do it... People said I was/am brave and courageous but I have never felt anything like that at all, although I can now begin to understand how people find it difficult to leave what they are used to and say they 'envy' me.....if you reeeally want something badly enough somehow, just somehow, you can make it happen and when the time is right it will all fall into place! People in my local villages or any Italians I meet cannot begin to comprehend why I would leave 'my own country' and settle here... I have nothing in the UK except obviously my daughter and her now husband, but you know what I mean! Now at almost 63, I wouldn't change my decision for the world! I may at some point downsize, but I cannot imagine ever leaving Italy... Good Luck to all of you... keep dreaming...dreams can become reality xxx

extremely useful and helpful! Thank you xxx Best Wishes

I've been starting over at age 68 by necessity, including installing ALL infrastructure (fences, high tunnel, garden beds, chicken house and run, water collection and on and on -- PLUS rehabbing an old house). One does what one must. BUT, I was able to get a small house on a large lot on the edge of a small village -- and get it inexpensively. There are always trade-offs.

Was anyone else struck by the comment "we can't legally grow things to feed our chickens in the UK?" WHAT?????

Why can't you feed chickens kitchen scraps there? From usa

Hi liz, Enjoyed your inspirational comments. Unfortunately I cannot complete my donation to you, the “menus” doesn’t recognise my input!! Many thanks Pete. X

So glad I found this one. You're brilliant Liz!

Hi Liz, only just found this, absolutely fantastic hun, I'm 55 and after my second marriage ended about a decade ago, I had to start again for the 3rd time, fast forward to today and I'm incredibly happy, settled in a little cottage with my own Liz, with a little vegetable garden, a nice workshop (I build custom motorbikes)
Although I'm far from a homesteader, I've certainly had the life experience to be happy with my lifestyle choices
Lots of love to you Liz and family, I really enjoy your channel

And three years later you took the challenge and moved again! I'm sure you aren't regretting it although I'm sure it's really, really hard work. I find in my sixties I've less energy (except when I'm high but it's not all good then and the irritability is overwhelming). I've never moved since my marriage some 44 years ago and never likely to lol! It's lovely here though.. Thank you for sharing your thoughts, it's interesting and uplifting for everyone.

Starting over here at 75 with .4 acre.
Thank you for sharing!
Yes, I am adding skills and no I do not drive.
You are such an inspiration.
Just baby steps here. Only at it for six months. But, I look to add value to what I have and maximize space so that everything is useful, not just stored.
This week, I made my first cottage cheese! And beginning with May, every meal has one item I grew myself. Thank you, again. 🌹

I subscribe to Daniel from Mossy Bottom (Ireland), Jess from Roots & Refuge (USA) & Tanya from Lovely Greens (Isle of Man), all lovely plus v interesting, & occasionally Garden Ninja (England). Babington Leeks are on my list Liz ;)

You have done well

Good video

thinking of doing it at 66

thinking of doing it at 66 !!!!

In uk what are laws regarding chicken feeding. I thought you could give kitchen scraps as long as it is not meat.

I am 69 yrs old live on a Farm for 9yrs my partner has just vanished 5 weeks ago , l am doing this on my own and finding it very hard work. l have 4 injured vertebrae so cutting back trees and cutting large lawns very difficult . On listening to your video l would suggest to think about age .Right now l am growing all my veg and Herbal Antibiotics. I will keep doing what l am till l can't physically do it anymore .

Curious- can’t feed your chickens scraps? Why not?

Thank you for sharing. I have done the almost complete opposite. I bought a pieces of steep land with a building with no walls. I have been building my business as a blacksmith and building my home and workshops with reclaimed materials and at the same time terracing the gardens. All by hand. It has taken 16 years to get where I am now am and its no where near as I want it yet. Your advice is very sound. I did start at 42 but if I had been part way towards in any aspect it would have been a lot further on by now..

Hello Liz, I just recently discovered your channel and I this weekend I started reading your book ( which I love, by the way). Your video, as well as the comments from some of your followers, has been very encouraging. Today I turned 52 and I have often asked myself, "Am I too old for starting this homesteading life?". I live with chronic illness as well and have wondered if I was crazy to think about homesteading. Your videos, and your book, have really encouraged and inspired me. Thank you so much.

24 min of talking head...yikes!!!!!!!!

Bit concerned by title that you and mr j might have separated. Hope its still working out for you guys. Keep going you both and the cat are inspiring

Hi Liz, I separated from my husband of 30 years a couple of years ago. We lived together in Australia, I'm from UK and soon to return closer to home to a place I've bought in Ireland. I want to make it a homestead similar to yours. I'm living on a large property at the moment living a semi self sufficient lifestyle so I'm learning heaps. I'm very scared of the big move to another country but also so excited. I'm late 40s with a teen daughter who loves the garden, so I'm not completely alone, still a bit scary though. New adventures

Liz I am sure you have read the amazing comments from this video. You are an inspiration. I am 69, my husband 82. We started our farm 8 years ago. It had nothing but an oak tree on-it. Now it has three homes, an orchard, chickens, ducks, geese, goats , cows. We breed dogs. It is hard work, but I wouldnt swap it for an easy retirement village for anything. Keeps us healthy and fit. Hopefully, grandchildren will want to continue it.

Thank you so much 🌻

Love your attitude!

I am 36 and have been dreaming of a small ish homestead for a good year now. But as I do not own my home and rent (so expensive), there is just no way I can put enough money aside for a deposit (if any) to buy a small farm or a plot big enough to build one on...

Thank you for this video. I'm 60+ and ready to retire from corporate world!!

Hello, I'm in the US. Single all my life & in my 60s, wondering if this lifestyle is plausible. You gave very helpful information & things to consider. Thank you!

Wait... why can’t you feed your chickens kitchen scraps in the UK?

I believe it is all in your attitude and mindset. I emigrated when in my 30's to seek a new life, after just a few years that failed and I returned to England. At 50 I made a total change and re-married, this brought forward many new challenges. At 59 I suffered a heart attack, but never let this rule my life. At 62 I had a nasty life changing accident, but never gave in, I adapted and still take on new challenges and always will. Your expectations have to be realistic, but never be afraid of stepping out of the box and your comfort zone. Try something new, listen to other peoples ideas and adjust them to suit your own needs. Enjoy your life whatever age, believe you can do it and do your very best - Never give in :)

Great video. I started a garden last year at 58. Your video comforts me in thinking that it is never too late, one just has to do it nicely his own way, and that I was right in wanting to realise my dream. Thank you so much

Liz, your thoughts about starting again are great wisdom and encouragement for anyone thinking of making a major change in their lives, what ever it is. Thank you!

Been watching your Videos for a while but only just come across this one. I'm almost 60 and might soon be able to think about a Smallholding - like you I've been ill and still have fatigue - but I've worked hard to over come this! Working outside, even in bad weather is like feeding my soul with the luxuries of life. I'm gardening at the mo, but live (moor) on an old goods railway yard and never had soil as poor as this is. I'm already looking for something in Wales - I used to be just up the road from you - its perfect there and I'm jealous I'm not there now! Thanks for this video - its given me another boost that what I'll be doing is right!

A woman of my own heart! As a single mom rearing several children I always had a garden, large or small, even if I had to borrow space in a neighbor's yard and share the produce. Four years ago at 66 I married and now have a giant garden, greenhouse and chickens...plus a man who helps me. The children are grown and gone, but every time they visit they fully expect mom to have a work project ready!

hey, about what you say about living close to neighbours? what you describe is best case, a friendly relationship with neighbours. I think reality is that we cannot chose our neighbours. 
I would rather live further away and be sure that neighbours, regardless of their nature, have no grounds to complain about the ongoings on my land. Like crowing roosters, frog ribbits from the pond. American videos are different, they somehow always find land far out and no neighbours. europe is tighlty populated. And statistically most courtcases really are neighbour disputes. 

In the village where my parents live where was a cow pasture for decades. then the neighbour farm sells land that becomes zoned for building residential houses on. people buy the plot and build houses- always beside the cow pasture. They know what they bought and they knew about the cows. but suddenly it is this huge fight against the cows that stink and make noises. And anonymously all sorts of attacks on cow lives was made. this is what comes when you try to do agriculture in a village with neighbours too close by. even if the cows were there before residential houses.
Imagine you spending all your savings and money on property to homestead and finally realise your dreams of chicken and ducks and compost and the neighbours turn your life sour. Stay away from fucking people. Chose friends who come and visit you anyway, even with the extra mile out.

Wow I didn't know that...you can't feed your chickens kitchen scraps in the UK? Must look that one up...I'm in France and I do that regularly, lol.

Absolutely phenomenal video

Thanks Liz for your wonderful and brutally honest opinions in this video.
You are an inspiration to many people.
I love how you connect and learn with other You Tubers to share your knowledge and experiences.

Thanks I love this video, so helpful as are all the comments. What do you think about location? Is it better to try to get land close to an area you’re familiar with and have contacts? All the interesting looking properties with land always seem to be in areas I’m not familiar with. I’m trying to do my researching by visiting likely areas and parts of the country and spending holidays there but it’s not the same as actually living there. I’ve got no problem falling in love with houses with land (lots of options it seem) but feels slightly risk averse when it comes to the location. lack of a network is probably what’s worrying me most and unlike yourself I’m not someone who has moved around a lot. Houses and land are at a huge premium in my current area making my dream virtually impossible to realise if I stay put. Would love to know your thoughts.

Great suggestions for those (of any age) eager to set up a homestead for the first time. Thanks!

Very lovely lady and very good advice and I enjoyed your video very much so.

Great advice!

Hi Liz - felt a lot of empathy with the vid. Did you go to UCL? My son enjoyed it after turning down an opportunity for Oxbridge. I felt that Durham was a privilege but I didn't really 'enjoy' it. Finding the best root and branch for the real you isn't straightforward. I have always bee a bit schizoid - had a deep caling to work in urban priority areas but harboured a deep desire for a more close to nature. On retiring for the second time, I can now indulge the latter. My garden gives me anxiety and stress from time to timbut it begins to feel like a 'completion'. Thanks for 'opening up'. It helps.
Know what you mean by feeling responsible for livestock. I've kept a dozen chickens - then 112,000 - then a flock of 49 (Defra said that you register at 50) and every one matters. chickens, especially, are the most abused creatures in the country.
A sound and honest vid. Bless you, Liz. All the best - Paul

Hello Liz. Just found you this morningand am going back over your videos over the next few days. Thanks for making these videos they are proving invaluable. My dream is to have my own small homestead one day.. Just need my hubby to retire and we will start the search.

liz im astoundid , and i cant spell too

This video and these comments are soooo encouraging! My husband and I are heading into our 50’s. 7 years ago God gave us 5 precious children from a mom who couldn’t look after them. We homeschool and live on 2 acre which we started converting to gardens last year. We also started raising and breeding our own rabbits. We’ve run out of space and the deer, raccoons, ground hogs, squirrels, chipmunks and slugs have gotten pretty bad (I guess our veggies are pretty good!). This has encouraged me even more to begin again! God has a plan :)

I would and I have! It's never to late to give it a go. I think it helps if you are the sort of person that talks to everyone.

trying and failing is better than never trying and having regrets, thats the worse feeling in the world