Cheap Land Colorado: Off-Gridders at America's Edge

Ted Conover moves to Colorado's San Luis Valley to live among and document the off-grid community in one of America's least expensive real estate markets. He purchases his own plot of land and builds a basic shelter while getting to know his neighbors in this harsh, high-altitude desert environment. The narrative follows Conover's experiences over multiple seasons as he splits time between his valley property and his home in New York. He forms connections with a diverse group of residents who have come to this remote area for various reasons - some by choice and others by necessity. Through immersive reporting and direct participation in the community, Conover explores the practical challenges and complex social dynamics of off-grid living in the modern American West. His investigation reveals both the appeal and the difficulties of pursuing an independent lifestyle on society's geographical and economic margins. The book raises questions about freedom, community, and what it means to opt out of conventional society while remaining connected to it in essential ways. It presents a nuanced portrait of a uniquely American form of frontier living without romanticizing or condemning the choices of those who undertake it.

Readers highlight Conover's balanced portrayal of off-grid residents in Colorado's San Luis Valley, appreciating his immersive journalism and careful attention to individual stories without judgment. Many note his ability to capture both the appeal and challenges of living on the frontier. Positive feedback focuses on: - Personal storytelling that humanizes residents - Details about daily survival and community dynamics - Clear explanations of local history and land use Main criticisms: - Some sections feel repetitive - Limited coverage of women's experiences - Story meanders without a clear narrative arc One reader noted: "He lets people speak for themselves rather than imposing his own views." Ratings: Goodreads: 4.0/5 (1,100+ ratings) Amazon: 4.4/5 (450+ ratings) Barnes & Noble: 4.4/5 (50+ ratings) Professional reviewers from The New York Times and The Washington Post commended the book's journalism but noted it could have provided more context about similar communities elsewhere.

Desert Solitaire by Edward Abbey A park ranger's memoir chronicles life in the Utah wilderness while examining human relationships with untamed landscapes and modern civilization's impact on the American West.

The Last American Man by Elizabeth Gilbert The true story follows Eustace Conway who abandoned modern life to live off the land in the Appalachian Mountains while teaching others to embrace self-sufficiency.

Pilgrim at Tinker Creek by Annie Dillard A writer documents her observations and experiences living in isolation near Virginia's Tinker Creek, exploring connections between nature, spirituality, and human existence.

The Final Frontiersman by James Campbell The biography details Heimo Korth's life as he leaves civilization to build a homestead in the Alaskan wilderness, surviving through hunting and trapping.

Walden on Wheels by Ken Ilgunas A graduate student lives in a van to avoid debt while pursuing his education, exploring themes of minimalism, freedom, and resistance to conventional American life.

🌲 Ted Conover lived part-time in Colorado's San Luis Valley for four years while researching this book, purchasing his own five-acre plot and experiencing off-grid life firsthand. 🏠 The San Luis Valley's off-grid community includes people living in various alternative dwellings, from shipping containers to earthships, with land often purchased for as little as $5,000 for five acres. 📚 Conover is known for his immersive journalism, including working as a prison guard at Sing Sing for his book "Newjack" which was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize. 🌄 The San Luis Valley is one of the largest high-altitude deserts in the world, with elevations around 7,500 feet and temperatures that can range from -30°F to 90°F. 🌱 Many residents of this off-grid community moved there following the 2008 financial crisis, seeking an affordable alternative to traditional housing and lifestyle options.