I lived alone in the woods for five years until I decided to return to civilization (big mistake) seven years ago. There are four things I'd recommend you do right off the bat: 1.) As other people here have suggested, get a couple of dogs. Not only are they great companions but they're the best early warning system you could have regarding the presence of wild animals and people. 2.) Get armed. I had never owned a gun before I lived in the woods alone, but when I woke one morning not long after I moved into my cabin to find a black bear literally staring at me through my bedroom window licking the glass I decided to arm up. Most encounters I had with both wild animals and the occasional stranger were uneventful and innocuous. However, there will be exceptions. You can count on it. It's always best to be prepared. 3.) Stock up on at least a month's worth (preferably two) of food and water. If you live in a cold weather state and intend to reside in your cabin through the winter, you might end up snowed in for days or even weeks at a time depending on how far off the beaten path you are. Which leads to #4. 4.) Get to know your neighbors and local county sheriff. I moved to an isolated spot to be alone. I'm guessing you did too. However, there are times when you may need the help of other people. In case of an emergency, especially one that results in you being incapacitated somehow, your neighbors performing periodic welfare checks on you may be the only thing that prevents you from dying a long, slow, agonizing death all alone in the woods. Regular check ins with your local sheriff will help keep you up to speed on anything unusual that may be happening in your area. My local sheriff would also call me after bad storms to see if I was okay. The more people you have looking out for you the better. Good luck.

The amount of absolutely lovely, happy, sweet comments that are flooding in right now made me have to go outside, lay on my van roof and laugh/cry happy tears over how wonderful life feels right now. I have so much love going on in my body right now I don't know what to do with myself. Edit - the amount I have learned about being able to rent goats to clear land is astounding, and the comment content I didn't know i needed. thank you to everyone who has mentioned goats, i hold a special place in my heart for u. ♡♡

I just LOVE your inventive and adventuring spirit. I'm 78 and live alone in the woods-not as rustic as you are doing, but with the same spirit. I build my own outbuildings, and love that I can do things myself. If I were doing my life over, I'd do exactly as you are doing while you are still young. I love too that you saved the bee. Your beautiful soul is shining out in this video. I wish you much happiness on your adventure through life..

"gonna go south for the winter" ur literally a bird. and i love it. heck yes

Wow congratulations random lady who popped up on my recommendations!! This is great and I hope you have the time of your life 😊

In the future when you’re frustrated about a project you’re working on in your cabin please come back and watch this video. See how excited you were when you bought the property. It’s easy to get caught up in emotion in the moment! Congrats! The outhouse is so cool!!!

Just be careful about the overgrown grass around the cabins! It could attract rats & snakes!

I'll never forget watching this and you for the first time when I was flown down to a neurosurgeon hospital to have major spinal surgery after a accident on a motorbike camping alone, I could not feel my legs from belly down and was not sure if surgery would work... Following you for 9 months straight in hospital away from my three little girls was what got me through. Hannah I can not thank you enough, I showed my parents and they could not believe how similar our personalities are haha. I would rewatch your Reno videos until you would upload the next. Telling myself every day I WILL buy a house and do Reno's. Well 6 months ago I did just that. My husband left me after dating for 20 years since we were 13 years old. So I was a single mum thinking crap can I do this... Well I met a man who treats me like the most incredible woman and also has two children we now all live in my 3 bedroom home and about to extend extra bedrooms. Me personally can only do the gardens but God I'm greatful every day I get to walk outside and create our own paradise. Now looking for a new property with ALOT of land that has a cabin and I thank you for that as before your videos I was mentally so drained and lost. You gave me strength and something to look forward to. So thank you Hannah. PS sorry for long message hahaha but I wanted you to know how much you helped me through a difficult time xx

I loved living in the woods alone. Yes, you need dogs. Don't compost in the open. It will attract rats, raccoons and bears etc... When I lived in the woods (for 18 years) in the winter, when I couldn't get to the store, I would feed my dogs oatmeal with table scraps. Burn everything paper that burns and recycle as much as possible. Keep more firewood than you think that you need. Pinecones make great fire starter.

I’m honestly even more excited to see you fix up this cabin than the van life videos!

I really appreciate you including the financials because I know it can be personal. This lets me know I could literally do this right now!!!! I am so excited that it’s not as unobtainable to own land and a cabin as I thought it might be. Thank you! Looks lovely

We’re very tired of paying rent. It’s getting ridiculously expensive. We hope to buy a house within a year. My dad would have loved this place. He was a true mountain man.

I am a woman living in the woods, definitely get an alarm, a couple dogs and a gun. Its beautiful freedom living out in the country but you have to be safe. I wish you the best, CONGRATS!

I'm paying $2,000 a month in a city and believe me my soul is screaming at me to get the hell out of here and do the exact same thing

omg it looks so pretty and peaceful…but my anxiety would make me scared out of my mind. i’m already scared to be home alone in a suburban neighborhood, i’d be terrified there lol

Just be really careful and don’t be naïve. Living in the woods it’s great and all but you have to be prepared for the unexpected. Joe app gave amazing advice, I will listen to him if I was you

Insulate everything, most importantly the roof. With a wood stove, the intense heat will go up to the roof deck and react with the cold of the actual roof and cause nasty condensation. That can cause mold. Just remember this, if there are no leaks or signs of mold now, and you start to add insulation where it wasn't before, be extremely cautious and make sure that there is proper ventilation on the back, outer wall side, of the insulation. Same for the roof. Research insulation roof batten and how to stop condensation / mold. Trust me. And good luck! Looks amazing

Dump the ashes from the woodstove into the outhouse. Will eliminate all odors. Keep a coffee can in the cabin for night peeing.

Watched this old vid today sep24 2023 because you didn't post a vid today😢. Love this vid. You were very happy about coming to this cabin and finally having a place of your own. Back then you didn't know that you'd end up in a better cabin in another 2 years. I'm so happy your dreams came true as you had predicted in your journal. May God bless you. Since this vid is 3 years old I don't think anyone will see this message ever. ❤😔

You're literally the artsy girl in "Kiki's delivery service"

I am literally about to cry out of happiness!! That is my dream house! I'm only 13 but I hope to find something almost exactly like that when I am older!

I’m from northern Minnesota I know hundreds of people who live like this. My parents have a cabin on a private lake. The older I get the more I realize what a awesome upbringing I had

This is so exciting! I am so happy for you! I have a friend who also found some land with two houses on it out in the woods and I absolutely love going to spend time there. I love it when you find a place where you can walk out the door and just see nature & woods rather than a street.

omg I'm smiling the whole time watching this! I am in a similar position - living in a van but wanting some land & it is so awesome for you to show me that it is totally possible in the near future and how wonderful it is. thank you hannah! :)

Wow! Congrats on this! I think I’m too paranoid to ever be able to do this I would be terrified of so many things lol 😩

you moving here and doing this really reminds me of the girl from Kiki's Delivery Service who lives in a little cabin in the middle of the woods and is friends with all the crows and just spends all her time being creative and doing what she loves. i'm so happy for you !!!

I haven't been this glued to a video in a while. Every second is like a dream. I'm still learning alot myself. I like how honest you're being in the video. Tears and all. I'd be feeling the same after a deal like this and all that space in a perfect place.

I grew up with out house for 17 years and this gave me back some memories! Have a blast with this clearly incredible adventure!

Congratulations young lady, best decision ever. Now, get yourself a dog, he'll be a great friend and companion.👍💚 I did the same ten years ago..moved out of London UK to the mountains in central Europe. I bought a very small old house, I grow my food, keep chickens, barter with local small organic farms, preserve most of my food...never go back to city life😁🌻💚

I just bought 6 acres of magical woodland and am having my tiny home built. I will live alone as well in my enchanted paradise. Congrats to you! Enjoy your sanctity and peace of mind.

This is exactly the motivation I need. I’ve been in the woods since March ‘21, so not too long. I’ve had more than one job since too. I am going to continue. I love this gonna check more of your content! Keep it up!

I remember starting to watch your channel when you bought these cabins and they've come so far and you even have your new cabin now and then this video ended up on my fyp and rewatching from where it's started is so cool and inspirational. they and you have come a long way!

Don't let your grass grow out to much for 1 huge reason, ticks!

had the same feeling as you many many years ago. did it and never looked back. Still living the dream.

Perfect. I love your outlook & attitude that you are accepting of the simplicity of it. An amazing dream of having your own piece of solitude.

Thank you for being so transparent and telling us everything. Love it

Reminds me of when I bought an abandoned farmhouse in 1972. The foundation had caved in on one side so the house was tilting into the basement hole. I repaired and remodeled it myself over the next 13 years while we were living in it. My kids have fond memories of growing up in the country but then it burned down from a chimney fire when we weren't home. You might want to pick up a lead paint test kit at the hardware store before you continue scraping that paint. When dealing with lead paint safety gear and precautions are advised. Sanding is not advised. Good luck and best wishes.

I've never been this excited about someone else's life before.

You are earnestly living the dream. Congratulations. I absolutely love the loft...including the stairs. Perhaps I should subscribe. Your video was fun to watch. And anyone saving a bee, is a friend indeed.

Congratulations on your new chapter! Can’t wait to see your adventures that lie ahead. All the best to you.

The glass wall in the outhouse made me literally laugh out loud. The previous owners had a great sense of humor 😂

I love your honesty about how much these things cost lol that's always my first question and people so rarely discuss it

This video is so cute to watch knowing you just got home from your winter travels. I am looking forward to more project videos.

Congratulations young lady and best of luck🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼😊

wait im so intrigued

this is animal crossing: real life edition. Can't wait to see progress!

I just saw the video. You're living the dream. Congrats! This is an awesome place and you make me think even more about that kind of life that I always thought about. Who knows! Maybe someday. Enjoy and be safe 🐾👣🌲🌿🍀🌳🏕🏞

Back to this video to notice and acknowledge all the great work that you’ve done to your cabin so far. It looks so good! 👏😍

you could rent that other cabin out with airbnb. it'll pay towards your renavations. the future looks great for hannah

you have a van AND a cabin. literally living my dream life wth

These are the kinds of content that inspire me to move into the woods myself. Good job Hannah!

Wow amazing! I'm so glad this came across my suggestions. I'm so so happy for you! Can't wait till I find my way to a plot of land like that... Amazing 🤩

Check paint for lead. You may need to be extra careful when removing it.

The freezing cold will cause the paint to chip off like that. 20 year painter/remodeler. Need any tips or advice just ask. I llike to help, that goes for anybody.

wow good for you, i think it is wonderful that you are able to buy something like this!!! i would have loved something like this years ago!! good luck in your new adventures and i WILL be watching to see what you do to this cabin!!!!

I'm fairly new to your channel, just been watching the recent vids you put out. So I am Finally going back and watching your old content! I just have so much love and respect for you ❤ you are amazing and I'm so happy you decided to make a channel and bring us along on your adventures. You're very inspiring to me to get up and accomplish goals, even if I dont know exactly what I'm doing

Whatever you do clean out that stove pipe. If it has a lot of creosote in it your little cabin will go up in smoke.

Ah how magical Hannah!! Living a simple life in nature is so fulfilling. I just left my city and moved to the mountains on the island of Corsica, and living in such close connection with trees, mountains, rivers, streams....is unreal. It felt isolating and a bit lonely at first but SO worth the immense self-growth. It’s much easier to find creativity and to make films, feel spiritually in connection when you’re surrounded by woods and trees ✨ And yes!! The cost of living is so much better in nature! I was paying 800 euros for my 40 square meter apartment, now I have a nearly 200 square meter house for the same price. It's shocking how going a little out of your way and not having as much city convenience can impact your quality of life. How aligned and destined to find your land on the very first visit! And Zillow! So neat ✨🌱🌲 So happy for your new big life step! :)

I'm so glad u popped up! I can live my life vicariously through you!! Thanks 😅

Get a composting toilet. You won’t have to walk in the snow outside.

How fun. You’re lucky to have figured this out at such a young age

Good luck, I made the decision 10 years ago, haven't regretted it once. I discovered van life recently and enjoy it, but having your own piece of dirt is priceless. I hope you have good neighbors it makes a huge difference.

I'm watching this now after all of your most recent videos and its crazy to see how much you have done! you are living my dreams!!

Your parents must be so proud of the courageous, independent and capable young woman you are! Congratulations! I am just a bit jealous.

I think that the 'first' house without the water is a better place to set up your long term living. It's cleaner, in better shape, and doesn't have the sloping foundation. You're going to gut the kitchen anyway, so just take all of the appliances out and move them over to the smaller place. Then you can tear out the kitchen and the living area in the 'second' cabin and use it as a shop. Don't worry about the current capacity of the electrical. Normal power tools will be fine.

I just Saw this. Imagine how far you've come in renovating your Cabins. You should be really proud!!! 👍💯

Congratulations on acquiring this great cabin and all that land it is fantastic!

Who else is here because KZfaq recommended this video on your homepage? 🤗

This gal will figure ALL this out. Thats how you learn-go DO it. Did the same thing. It was shocking & thrilling at the same time. No power at first, well not dug for a year, there were bear, turkey, snakes rarely, & yes-thieves looking for weekenders & take your stuff to pawn shops to sell-this was before the outside camera days. Guns do help for sure-give her some credit-she is smart and will get smarter!! This place is Awesome! High five young lady!

Brave girl - well done, thinking outside the box. Good luck with your adventure

What an inspiring and brave woman! I'm so glad your channel popped up, these videos are a joy to watch and you are such a great role model for girls to see that they can live and do whatever they want!

I spontaneously exploded with a, " hell yeah!" when you said, "And now I have 15 acres and two cabins!" You are a badass

"I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could not learn what it had to teach, and not, when I came to die, discover that I had not lived."

I love how you're so mind boggled about owning it. Good on you!

I live in MN and own a lot of land north... thanks for the inspiration! Def going to start cleaning and build a tiny home like Isabel! Love you both!!

So weird this popped up on my feed. I’ve wanted to leave the city for 20 yrs now. But I was raising 6 kids by myself and was just afraid to leave my support system and didn’t know how I’d support myself. Now my kids are grown n I’ve married a man that shares my vision. We have been working on our credit and saving money and hope to be ready to find our forest heaven in 2 yrs. I love your place and good for you for doing it so young. I’m subscribing to your channel to watch your journey. Good luck.

Ive been living alone in the woods for 14 yrs with my dogs. No guns needed, get a bow and arrows. Its much quieter to eliminate unwanted visitors 😂

I never saw this video. Very cool to see where your place started and now your new place. What a journey. 🌞🕊🥂

Wow! If the tools work, that's a couple of hundred dollars! You have gotten a mighty good deal- the cabin looks lovable as is! Awesome. 😃👍

When KZfaq keeps recommending living alone in the woods. 🤣 Guest KZfaq knows that I wanna run away from society, cities n crowd.

Lady if your going to live there in the woods get you 2 big dogs I say this because iv lived in the country all my life 1: so they wont be lonely 2:so they can watch each others back 3:coyotes will corner one dog but not 2 4: and they will keep most predators away because their scent alone. 5: and if anything does come close you will know about it. Labs is s are great German shepherds hound dogs. And dogs of that size like chows. Blue heelers are great dogs too very protective animals

I love her and her honesty, cabins must smell so good..... Was an electrician in my past probably... rotfl for 5 min really. Love her.

This exact thought popped in my head last night and your video popped up. Good sign.

Thank goodness that she's a role model that shows you don't have to get married and have kids or even have a boyfriend to have a purposeful life. Finally.

Yesss! This is EXACTLY what I want to do in a few years' time. Then install solar...rain catchers... a greenhouse :D life seems limitless in nature. Keep it up Hannah!

Lovely lovely lovely 🥰… so cosy and a place to live a life. You own the spirit to do that. Live in the nature and with the nature is love. You will love it and master all problems that may arise. Hope you have visitors from time to time to share your beautiful place with others. You don’t dream your life, you live your dream. Congratulations.

Just seeing how far you've come with this place now is amazing!!

The amount this is making me wanna drop out and move into a cabin is obscene

This is literally like My dream in life.

you are so kind!!! I love you, beautiful soul

Awww how exciting is that. My partner and I are going to buy some land next year and start building a homestead on it. I’m so happy for you hon. You have inspired me to start planning our build!

15 acres with water and power, absolute score. Well done, I hope you start with repairing the cabin foundation before other painting and decorating work. 👍

It’s crazy how people are out there living your exact dream. Good for you girl. Keep on being an inspiration.

Been watching you for a few years now, watched this one again to bring back memories back

I'm following your footsteps when my daughter graduates next year, I'm glad other people are taking this jump into life. I just want to go somewhere where it's not given.

I admire this woman it's essential we assert our independance, this is an alternative solution, go young America

*reads the title* Me: YESSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS Lol, Hannah, it's like you see my dreams and then make videos to prove to me they're possible ❤ I'm so grateful for you and the fact that you share some of your life with us.

Very lucky! I’m actually driving around the country trying to do the exact same thing. I better get on zillow. You’re living the dream. Good for you!. Good luck! Would love to be there as well!

That is awesome 👏!!! I need to do that, need a change for the better. That place you bought is really cool, very nice of the previous owners to leave you that useful stuff.

The only advice I can offer comes from an experience from when I was a child. Even if you love nature surrounding your cottages, you might want to take the bigger trees down so they don't blow down during a storm and crush your home. That's all I can offer because this is your place. Plan, budget for taxes and have a bit of happiness that this place is now yours. As to the rear where the kitchen is sloped, check for rot. If its not rotten, the ground might have gotten soggy, and the blocks have sunken into the ground. Use a hydraulic bottle jack, one larger then you think you need, and have experienced help. You never know what can happen, so please don't do it alone. Edit - Wow. You took that bee out of there like no woman I've known before. You are no shrinking violet. You'll be fine. Congratulations on your new land.