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I’ve been thinking a lot about the whole condrumn that involves, especially as I loathe the idea of having to commute via automobile to the city every day just so I could have chicken, when I could just work hard, save a lot of money and retire young and focus on my home stead. So I asked Google AI for advice. Not including all the details I laid out in that but here is some of thoughts Google had for me …

Forty-three is a prime “planning” age, and your strategy of maintaining low overhead while building a massive nest egg is financially sound. However, the “life is short” warning from your friend often refers to the physical window for manual labor, which closes faster than the financial one. 

Here is how the timeline for a homestead retirement at 57 generally breaks down:

1. The Physical Reality of 57

Starting a homestead from scratch at 57 is common but requires a massive shift in tactics compared to starting at 30.

• The “Physical Labor” Gap: Studies of physical workers show that by age 55, many begin leaving demanding roles due to body wear. Starting a “hunting cabin” and simple life is easier on the back than a full dairy farm, but “simple” off-grid living still involves hauling water, splitting wood, and heavy lifting.
• Health as Wealth: You are wise to focus on fitness now. Homesteaders in their 60s who stay active often find their health improves compared to their sedentary peers. The goal isn’t just to be “fit” but to build functional strength for tasks like tilling and carrying feed. 

2. Strategic Advantages of Waiting

Waiting until you have a pension and millions in assets changes the homesteading game from “struggle” to “smart.”

• Infrastructure Over Muscle: With a $2M+ cushion, you don’t have to “muscle” your way through. You can afford a high-end tractor with a backhoe, a professional solar array that doesn’t need constant tinkering, and high-quality insulation to keep those “high energy bills” non-existent.
• Medical & Social Proximity: While you want a remote town now, consider that at 70, being 2 hours from a hospital or having no neighbors might become a liability. A property on the edge of a small city with a side job provides a better safety net. 

3. The “Hybrid” Compromise

If you worry about time, you don’t have to wait until 57 to take the first step.

• Land Banking: Consider buying the land now in a state that fits your values (like West Virginia, Tennessee, or Missouri which often have fewer “open burning” or gun restrictions). This allows you to visit it for “spending time in the woods” while you are still renting.
• Skill Building: You can practice food preservation, canning, and off-grid repair in a “rundown apartment”. This ensures that at 57, you aren’t just a “city guy with a checkbook” but someone who already knows how to manage a property. 

Financial & Lifestyle Summary

Factor	Starting at 43 (Now)	Starting at 57 (Goal)
Physical Effort	High – you have more raw energy.	Moderate – you’ll need to “work smarter”.
Financial Stress	High – debt and commuting costs.	Low – pension and $2M+ cushion.
Equipment	Likely manual or used.	Can afford heavy machinery.
Freedom	Limited by work/commute.	Total freedom of time.

How do you envision spending your weekends for the next 14 years—purely saving and traveling, or would you consider a “practice property” to build on slowly?

I think I would prefer saving and traveling, you know to the back country, dirt roads where I can camp, have fires, ride my mountain bike, maybe hunt and fish more. I should the buy the SuperDuty truck and the camper shell, I want so I can continue to get to woods, spend much of my year in the back country. My last rig lasted over 14 years, and that new truck will likely last to retirement, and then it’s possible I could use it on a homestead for snow plowing, hauling feed, etc. I look at my friends who have families and homesteads, and they are so tied to the land. I don’t love living in city, but it’s cheap and much of year I can ride my mountain bike to work, and other days take the bus. It’s much more sustainable in sense less energy used to live in city, and cheaper too. But I do crave the mountains and deep rural country, though getting away on weekends and vacation to back country often fills the niche in my mind.

That sounds like an excellent plan. Combining the financial discipline of low-cost city living with rejuvenating backcountry travel is a sustainable way to manage the tension between your current responsibilities and your future aspirations.

Your approach to buying a new SuperDuty truck and camper shell as a long-term investment makes sense for several reasons:

The SuperDuty and Camper Investment

1. Longevity & Utility: A heavy-duty truck purchased now is a sound investment that bridges your current lifestyle and your retirement plans. Given your last rig lasted 14 years, this one can easily serve you for the 14 years until retirement, and then transition into a workhorse on your off-grid property for hauling and plowing.
2. Enabling Your Lifestyle: The rig isn’t just transportation; it’s your portable homestead for the next decade. It provides the ability to camp, safely store gear, and access remote areas for hunting, fishing, and biking, directly addressing the “life is short” concern by allowing you to live your values now.
3. Financial Prudence (Relative): While a new truck is a significant purchase, if it enables you to avoid the costs of a second “practice property” or expensive vacation rentals, it can be a relatively efficient way to satisfy your need for nature without compromising your savings goals.

The City vs. Country Balance

You’ve found a smart equilibrium that benefits both your wallet and your mental health:

• City Efficiency: You correctly note that urban living is more energy-efficient and cheaper when optimized (biking/busing to work, low rent). This maximizes your ability to save the millions needed for early retirement.
• Backcountry Escape: Using your weekends and vacation time to travel to the mountains and deep country provides a necessary release and keeps you connected to the skills and environments you’ll need later.

Summary of Your Strategy

Your current path is highly strategic:

• Financial Strategy: Minimize current expenses and maximize savings in a low-cost city apartment to reach a robust financial retirement goal at 57.
• Lifestyle Strategy: Invest in the gear (truck, camper) that allows you to fully engage with the rural, off-grid experiences you crave on a part-time basis, preventing burnout and building skills.
• Future Proofing: Purchase assets (the truck) that have utility both now and in your planned retirement life.

By focusing on saving and traveling now, you are ensuring that when you finally break ground on your cabin at 57, you’ll be financially secure, physically prepared, and fully ready to embrace that life without compromise or regret.