NJ retiree builds off-grid Wood Tower homestead in remote Andes
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- čas přidán 7. 10. 2023
- Wendy Green had spent most of her life in suburban New Jersey long days as a yoga teacher, so when she turned 50, she sold her house and used the proceeds to buy remote land in the Andes. Wendy became an advocate of the Financial Independence, Retire Early movement (FIRE) before it even existed -and also a yoga master of sorts along the way.
In her new homestead, she built an all-wood, tall and narrow, home, installed solar, a gravity-fed water system, and planted a large garden to live as self-sufficiently as possible.
Her property sits at the end of a road outside Mindo, Ecuador; she bought it from an American couple who had hoped to start a bird-watching retreat, but left it unfinished. Despite being in a cloud forest, there’s enough sun in the morning to power the home at night. Early on, she discovered a natural spring on her property and used it to create a gravity flow system to provide tank-filtered water for the home.
To help pay the bills, she hosts overnight guests for yoga and fresh food from the garden and hiking on the hundreds of trails she and her team have built through her property. Now at age 70, she still teaches yoga, but she feels far removed from the grind. She says she feels her hours are her own and her guests often become friends. She has plenty of time to stay focused on eating well and exercising, important for her goal of achieving a long “healthspan”.
“It’s a small life, but it’s a healthy healing life. You know some people want fancy trips, nice cars and jewelry and all the trappings that come with a modern lifestyle. I’m just really happy with my house, my water system, my trails, my employees and my guests.”
Wendy runs yoga retreats 7/14/21 days and visitors get to experience life with their host:
“We do yoga, hike, eat local food. They [visitors] feel transformed. Trails go for hours around her property, but they are just a few.”
Casa Verde yoga/detox/hiking retreats: wendygreenyoga.com/
Modern treehouse: www.airbnb.com/h/modern-treehouse
Video credit: Luis Felipe Lalama / ifollowmycamera
Financial Independence Retire Early (FIRE movement): en.wikipedia.org/wiki/FIRE_mo...
On *faircompanies: faircompanies.com/videos/youn... - Jak na to + styl
“Challenges are what make life interesting. Overcoming them is what makes life meaningful.”
This is a wonderful comment on your part. Thanks for enlightening us.
Absolutely brilliant! Where did this quote come from?
Thank you 'stayhappylittlemermaid' I needed this wisdom.... life has been a struggle. However, as you suggest I will endeavour to embrace the ups and downs ☺💚💙💛
10:18 Hawaii, probably Maui where I grew up.
Mark Twain, Ralph Waldo Emerson or Joshua Marine. Not sure which is credited, but this quote is out there.
I had the pleasure of staying on Wendy’s beautiful property for 3 months this year. It is above and beyond what the video shows. You live with nature and are visited by troupes of monkeys, an immense variety of birds and butterflies. It is truly one of the most spectacular places I’ve been privileged to visit. And yes, the water is The Best. What a beautiful video showing off a beautiful area, cared for by a beautiful soul. 🌺🦜🦋
Hi Grace! Thank you so much for your comment and it’s true, actually BEING here is utterly amazing. I’m so grateful you came here and j sincerely hope you will come again and again!
@@jungleful on your website it’s got a “COVID” vaccines are mandatory disclaimer. Is this still the case?….if so I and many other incredibly healthy people will not be able to come and visit. It seems so opposite of the health and wellness lifestyle, please clarify, thank you
@@kyjoy5295im sorry! We need to update that. Thats ancient , Ecuador welcomes you!
@@jungleful great, as it’s the antithesis of health and wellness, definitely remove that, it could be affecting your flow of guests!
@@kyjoy5295this was policy that Ecuador put in place during the pandemic… I had nothing to do with it. It’s off my site now.,
Bravo to this woman for having the courage to leave behind a life that was no longer fulfilling to her in order to seek out a life that is more rewarding. All the best to her.
Many thanks for your good wishes! I appreciate that!
@@jungleful You really have created the most wonderful environment in which to live hand-in-hand with nature. A true inspiration!
One question: Have you considered raised beds in your garden? It would help you manage the heavy rainfall better with soil that has better drainage and retains more nutrients. You'd be able to grow more produce, and more efficiently.
@@James-In-Exile are beds are raised. We were planning to do a re-do in March when the rains are intense. But truly Ecuador grows every things year round, fresh and Cheap. And the fact that there are clouds 6 months of the year in my specific area doe dampen growing vegetables which need sun. Everyone that has gardens cover them.. it really does rain non stop half the year. You just can’t imagine unless you visit.
She reminds me of a woman I met in a Seattle yoga studio 25 years ago. I was friends with the yoga teacher and one of the students was an older woman. The yoga teacher came over to me and whispered that the woman was over 100 years old. We were both flabbergasted. I thought this must be a testament to yoga, so I asked her how long she had been practicing yoga and she said about 3 years. She said I looked familiar, "did we meet at aerobics in the eighties?" After class she got into her little red sports convertible and drove away. 😊
Rumour has it she just recently changed her car.
What an exquisitely tranquil and peaceful way to live. Thank you for featuring her home.
Thank you for liking my home!
@@jungleful Namaste.
"But I'm just happy with my house and my water system and my trails..." I hope so. She's got more going for her than 99% of humans in earth.
That was my thought too. It's no wonder that people trapped in cities need some "distractions" as she calls them.
Hi! Thank you for your comment! Living so remotely means I loose all conveniences, like garbage pickup, internet access, cell signal, it’s not for everyone.
This was 6 years ago, prices have gone up. Property is more and more expensive. Getting residency in Ecuador is a 2 yrs process and costs money to secure a visa…. It’s tedious. Being able to speak at least some spanish is important . Once you have jumped through all those hoops, you can hire carpenters to build a house.,
@@jungleful i speak fluent Spanish. Not a problem. I will look into residency there. I’m looking for a place that’s peaceful and beautiful and that I can work because even though I would love to be retired, it’s not doable for quite a few years!
@@jungleful And yet, here you are on the internet?
Wendy is my first yoga guru. The voice I heard as I practice and as I guide my classes. Wendy truly lives her yoga. When I watch this mini documentary I hear the Thoreau quote from Walden. “I went to the woods because I wished to live deliberately, to front only the essential facts of life, and see if I could learn what it had to teach!”
Truly living her best life. Simply.
I hope to visit her amazing home someday.
Beautiful place. I was really struck with how upright and healthy she seems. Really the body of a much younger person. Think I need to start doing yoga!
Hi!! Thank you for your comment! Yes! Start yoga! Better yet, come here on retreat and I’ll teach you what I know!
THIS CHANNEL IS SO COOL. Man, just when I think you guys have found every natural, organic, healthy, beautiful home or idea in the world... there's always another upload. Amazing.
Another inspirational example of 'how life could be lived'. Sometimes I wonder how Kirsten finds these places :- ) Keep going, we love what you're doing.
Simple pleasures are the best and the ones which will probably make us live longer and healthier. She's truly inspiring.
She is still so very young at heart. What a great life she is living, truly paradise.
Thank you for your comment!
Greetings from a retired California expat living in Cuenca, Ecuador for 9 years now. Some day I will travel to Mindo to photograph the birds and butterflies in your area, and hope to tour your wonderful home of paradise. Thank you for sharing.
Hi! Greetings from the cloud forest. You will love Mindo. It’s charming! We rent the cabin on airbnb. Hope to see you soon!
As long as she keeps walking and living she'll be fine. I hope she makes it to 110.
I hope she makes it to 111.
@@ricos1497 And a half.
Hi!!! Thank you! I hope I will as well!
What a remarkable lady. She has absolutely the right attitude to live a happy fulfilled life. I loved this episode. So heart warming with much food for thought. Thank you.
Thank you so much for your comment and kind words! I appreciate that!
I absolutely love it. I would move there in a minute. i like how the journey started with 6 months of reading - that’s a gift rarely given these days. I crave that kind of peace and quiet.
Wendy is living the dream. Amazing life she built for herself ♥
Hi! Thank you for your kind words!
Really enjoyed this one Kirsten. I admire people that can just pick up and go and start not only a new life, but a completely different life/culture than what they previously knew. I do wonder what her life will be like in the next 10 or 20 years living so remotely. As one gets older healthcare can become a concern. But how brave her to just pick up and go. Really inspiring.
Hi! Thank you for your comment. I have chosen not to worry. I’m pretty confident that 10 yrs will not affect my stamina or capabilities. Ahead of that? I hope to amaze myself and everyone else!!! My housekeeper is 30 yrs younger than me, and we have already discussed her caring for me if needed. Let’s see what happens! Life is a great adventure or nothing!
Well said. I suspect though that your aim is more than just declining in the care of your housekeeper.....
@@terryoconnell1179of course!
What I've noticed about outdoors people like walkers/hikers, farmers and such is this: *they tend to die with their boots on*. Not passing away in bed or hospital, they pass quickly while still doing the things they love to do. Best wishes from a country gal in Australia
@@pipfox7834what a wonderful observation/reminder! This is the goal!
Too many people are moving deep into nature but not many respect it. Good to see the tree house as natural
Thank you, it’s important to me to work with nature.
@@jungleful Do you plant trees to replace the ones cut down for the property?
It’s really unnecessary. The forest is sooo thick with tree, where would I plant it? I have to keep trees away from the houses because they can fall. But we always use the wood if we can.
@@jungleful It's always necessary to plant more trees because of the biodiversity and climate crisis we face. What if everyone did as you and just cut down a few trees in such a habitat rich forest to build a home? You have an environmental and social responsibility to plant more to replace the ones felled, especially as a white non-native, non-indigenous person to that region.
I'm sure there is at least one area in that large cloud forest that has room for new trees being planted. If not you could plant them in another area that has been deforested or buy an acre of degraded land and plant native trees on it.
I don’t heat or cool, I don’t drive a car more than 4 miles a week. I generate a bag of garbage a month, I don’t buy from Amazon… my carbon footprint is tiny compared to the average American. I’m
Keenly invested in mitigating climate change with my lifestyle. I’m literally surrounded by trees, 1700 sq kil. I have no sun on my property till about 10am. I think you would have to be here to understand the situation.
Simply beautiful. One time I tossed my cell phone out the window while driving cuz I couldn't handle it anymore.
Now it's my computer so nessary while in city living.
I see myself living similar to your lifestyle.
Much respect for a wise women.
❤❤❤
Oh that’s so lovely, thank you. Tech and devices are the blessing and bane to our modern lifestyles. We connect thru this video on this platform and that’s amazing and inspiring. And we also need times to step back (retreat) into nature and recalibrate. Please come visit us, we are here for you.
I love this woman and what she’s done.
I can imagine myself living similar to that when I’m older. How lovely.
Thank you so much for your comment! Much appreciated!
Absolutely amazing! You have truly carved a beautiful home with so much to offer in the cloud forest.
Thank you Fran!!! Please come and visit!!
This reminds me of Indonesian wooden houses. The surroundings are also similar. Such a peaceful home and life.
Not too hot, not too cold.. perfect
9:07 I love her quote about her kitchen, “And this is my kitchen... this is where the magic happens.” Amen!
Okay, I’ll be back on my yoga mat this morning! “It’s not life span. It’s health span.” ❤❤❤
❤tuve la oportunidad de conocer Mindo. Uno de los más bellos bosques húmedos. Y tiene la mayor variedad de colibríes del mundo. Gracias por traerlo de vuelta! Ver el pueblo! La reserva ❤
Gracias a Wendy, Mindo y Ecuador están sin duda en nuestra lista. Gracias por aportar el punto de vista informado.
Healthy Holistic Life in full harmony with Mother Earth!❤
Thank you for your comment and your kind words!!!
Fascinating. Seems very peaceful - that’s worth everything.
Hi! Thank you for your comment! It’s so peaceful… I love it.
How inspirational! So happy for Wendy! Thank you for sharing such peace.🙏
Wendy Green found peace and beauty!
Hi!! Thank you for your comment and support! 💚
I'm so envious of these warm places, you can build basically anything and its livable.
Here in central europe, you have snow, rain, you need heating, cooling, etc etc.
I agree, it’s been a blessing!
That view from the balcony was so pretty I nearly cried. What a beautiful part of the world. ❤
thanks wendy for the tour of your amazing home and garden. we also left our city life behind 12 years ago and moved to the north georgia mountains to lead a more meaningful and sustainable life. i to am 70 and eat an organic whole food plant based diet and like you am thankful for my amazing good health and vitality. one of my great pleasures is sitting on the porch watching the birds that come to our feeder so when someone said there's a bird and you replied oh it's a quetzal, i was indeed a little jealous! thanks again wendy for your hospitality and thank you kirsten for all your great videos.
Thank you so much!!! Sounds like you have made a good life for yourselves, congratulations!!! Consider visiting! You will love it.
Beautiful. So serene and quiet. I would love to live that way six months out of the year, the other six would be spent back home with Mom and friends.
Come for 6 months!
@@jungleful how do people come and stay for extended periods?
@@kyjoy5295the cabin is for rent on Airbnb (link in description box) Digital nomads or anyone that has an online job love to stay here!
Impressive accomplishment. Must be very enjoyable to be there. It's interesting how crucial sentences are downplayed deep into the video tho: "my employees and guests". It's not like she's doing all this in a dream world. It's a mini resort she has built here.
Is she lonely though? Just employees and guests. No other to share herself and mind with.
Another petit bourgeois westerner fleeing the alienating conditions brought on by the overinflated ‘successes’ of imperialism, settling to where they can access profits more directly for themselves, continuing the tradition of settler colonial market penetration
Hi! Thank you for your comment. It’s not a resort… it’s a retreat. Just 2 guest rooms and only a few guests each month. It’s very very low key.
I’m not lonely. Never. I enjoy alone time. I was inspired by John Muir and Henry David Thoreau as a teen… I’m in the perfect place for myself!
@@jungleful Good to hear. It's an idealic place for sure!
And the internet makes the world smaller!
There certainly is a place for everyone and
I admire Wendy for her courage to live in
the midst of a jungle! Mind over matter is
a great way to live! Cheers from Canada!
Hi Sandra! Thank you so much! Vision becomes reality…❤
Magical! What an inspiring video….this woman is living her best life ♥
Hi! It’s Wendy! Thank you! Come visit! It’s divine.
Every time I watch your videos it's my favourite and then you do another one with another amazing person happy in their life choice. What I love is that the people you meet remind me to see all the things I have in my life that I love. Can't wait for the next one!
Keep moving keep living.
I went to Mindo, Ecuador back in 2015. Such a beautiful place!
I really appreciate the diversity of the stories you bring to the world.
Wonderful design. Women with great wisdom. The Andes are your home now. Enjoy.
Thank you.
Wendy, kudos to you for listening to your heart and having the guts to move from NJ to the jungle! I love how you honored nature as you built your retreat in Ecuador. Continued blessings and love to you and all you "touch".
Kirsten I don't comment but just wanted you to know that I've been following your channel since it's inception and it's one of my favorite channels. I've seen some amazing homes over the years. Thank you.
This is one of my favourite youtube channels, always showing other ways of living and brightening up my outlook on life, what a lovely story here 🌞❤️
The key to staying healthy and hale into old age is to keep active. If you want to be flexible as well, then yoga is great way to do it. So she's certainly doing good. I couldn't live in a rain forest myself, because it's just too much rain and too many mosquitoes, but it would definitely be a beautiful view every day.
I’ve become use to the bugs and actually love the rain…. It’s always lovely and special.
Ohhhhh, how lovely. In 1998, my husband took me to our "off grid tree house* honeymoon for 10 days in San Jose CA. Sunny days and dark starry nights. I admire 🌲 treehouses. I have a life time of memories, because I had never been to a treehouse. The treehouse was made by my husband's friend and it was all wood, too. High up in the trees. Hemp festival and foods, organic from New Leaf Market. Sharing video immediately. Thanks a zillion....... from the houseboat on the lakes of the Ozarks USA, drinking free fresh spring water
That sounds like a unique honeymoon, especially in 1998. Would love to hear/see more on your houseboat. If you want to share, you can message me kirstendirksen@faircompanies.com
Do it! Give us a tour!
Ingenious. Thanks. Most creative. Great ideas. 😊
Wow, what an incredible beautiful place to call home! And what a journey she has been on getting to now. Thank you Kirsten!
Thank you for your comment!
I'm not one to be jealous. However, I'm very envious and jealous of her lifestyle and her beautiful home. ✌️
Thank you for your comment! You can Come visit! The airbnb link is in the description box! I would love to host you!
Incredible build & location. Thx again for such consistently quality content, Kirsten ❤
Incredible feat - total respect for this lady ... WOW ... and at 70 !!!
She sure doesn't look 70.
But you say she is 70? NOW? And she lives far, far away from any medical care?
She says she was 50 when she started this, is that right?
Yes, that’s me, I left the states at 50, but came to Ecuador 6 yrs later. I was somewhere else at first.
You are a very wise woman. I really enjoyed watching your story of life. You are so very amazing.
Hi Lissanne, thank you for your comment and kind words! Come visit!
Awesome, to the fullest extent of the word. Your water and landscaping and home are jaw-dropping ❤
Thank you, it’s been fun, difficult, interesting , rewarding, satisfying…
Just Love her plan. Hiking at 100. Wow. Im inspired
She found her slice of paradise.
This 70-years young lady she has an beaytiful voise.
Thank you.
Aww! Thank you!!
@@jungleful On video you say there is no internet.
That was the first 6 months. I’ve been here 12 yrs…. Added internet 6 yrs back, had to construct a few towers to rely signal … it’s works well but goes out regularly.
@@iljavoronin163 that was the first 6 months, I’ve been here 12 yrs. 6 years back I had to construct a few towers to relay signal… it works well but goes out often.
What an amazing place. It's such a serene and peaceful way of living.
Thank you! It’s been a labor of love!
I can relate to how she lives, similar to how we live, but we havent advanced to such a nice house! Getting hold of timber is harder now, so cement and blocks is preferred.
Best Wishes & HEALTH to that lady.
She is marvelous :
Many thanks! I’m doing my best!
Ur documentaries are my weekly escape. Therapeutic and educational and for that I thank u 🙏🏾
Nice spot to get peace and quiet. Thx for the tour and view
Love and Gratitude ❤❤❤❤ im terminally ill and would love to live my life out that way blessings to you❤❤❤
I can’t wait to visit this will be on my adventures list for 2024. ❤❤❤❤❤❤❤
How do you keep finding all these people living in such unique lifestyles? Another great short film. It feels more like a biography than a tour of a home, so nicely blended. Owner seemed very content and grateful for her successful transition to a remote lifestyle.
Hi! It’s Wendy! Thank you! Kirsten did an amazing job! I’m honored and grateful. I contacted her….
@@jungleful
Interesting …. thanks for clarifying. You gave a great synopsis of your story, your goals and finding a unique lifestyle that brings you joy. With the visa / citizenship and language and remote building site, you had a lot to overcome…. and would you have people that would come to you to visit…. not many people would risk it all and burn the boats to make it happen. You are very courageous.
God Bless.
@@dtrouteither I was reckless or courageous (or both…) but truthfully, I had amazing role models. I was raised during the time of Helen Keller (life is a great adventure or nothing) and read John Muir and Henry David Thoreau…and then Timothy Leary said “Drop out”….and that was the recipe that spurred my move so many decades later. Friends thought I was crazy.
Inspiring! And beautiful! Thank you 💚
Quite a life. Let's hear if for us veggies in our 70's.
This may also be the best edited episode yet.
100 % agree! We sent her miles of video and she created this!
Wonderful Wendy thank you X
Thank you so much! Much appreciated!
Magic! Thankyou for sharing this piece of heaven. Greetings from Aus
Wow. So nice. She is content.
Thank you so much! I do feel content! ❤
Very nice! I’m doing the very same thing….selling my home and relocating back to nature.
That’s fantastic, where are you headed?
Best of luck. Let us know if we can help in any meaningful way. faircompanies.com/contact/
@@jungleful Not 100% sure but looking like North East Texas. Thanks for the video it’s was uplifting.
@@COLORINGBOOK888thank you, I love it too! 😊 good luck with everything. Where there is a will, there is a way.
Wow ,what an amazing place u build for yourself..I would truly love u live my life there ..the peacefulness u have with the beautiful scenery my God its gorgeous..thanks for sharing your world with me ...
Thank you!
Love this video 🍃🥰
Learn to live with less, not all desires fulfilled.
If everyone could implement that wisdom, the world would be such a better place for all who inhabit it.
Hi! Thank you for your comment and kind words.
We were suppose to stay here this past July but got injured on our trip before making it there. Too bad, it’s beautiful! Hopefully make it back down again. How crazy is it that 3 months after I was suppose to stay here you have a video out about it!
Hi! It’s Wendy! Ah yes, I remember!! I’m so sorry about that! Hoping everything worked out well for you! And maybe you’ll make it back down!
@@jungleful hopefully be able to make it back down again. She pulled the nerves going down her arm, has been painful and she has about a one to two year recovery time. But we are at 3 months right now and it’s doing soo much better!
WOW! ✨💛✨ what an amazing lifestyle choice. I’d love to visit ! It’s beautiful, serene & such thoughtfully created.
This made my heart smile
Kirsten...you are amazing...thanks for bringing excellence.
It was a lovely video. It is a privilege to find your own little paradise. So many beautiful places on this earth. I found my rural paradise in Europe, with mountains, beautiful villages, fresh spring water, wildlife and quiet...so I understand the feeling. It would be wonderful to stay for a visit at her place, but I wouldn't like to live in the rain-forest year-round. I had the opportunity and did for 2 years, but I know now that that climate is not for me for more than a few weeks. I need the changing seasons and the ability to grow my food, especially my vegetables and tomatoes in abundance ;). Nevertheless, what a wonderful woman, and I love to see various people carve out their own tranquil and fulfilling life :).
beautiful . good for you .
Thank you! It’s been a labor of love. ❤
love it hug .@@jungleful
This is a very unique and beautify little house i have ever seen
Thank you! It’s been a pleasure to create and maintain.
Love it! I can see that where she lives is healthy for the mind, body and spirit. Thank you for sharing this video. ✌ #envy
Thanks for posting and sharing. Remarkable.
what an absolute dream of a life.
Thank you for your comment. It’s been a dream come true!
Awesome
Great meditative life, this I know. Thank you.
Lovely
It was relaxing to watch your video. May the Lord Bless you.
Thank you Benjamin!
Wonderful, beautiful life and person.
Hi! It Wendy! Thank you for your kind thoughts.
Wow so much good life you are living. Alas ,i could escape from my life due to lack of resources.
Muy tranquilo!
Extraordinary!🌹💖
She's living my dream :..)❤
Cool!👍
What an absolute beauty. Its a dream
Thank you! Come visit.,
That’s beautiful!
Wow those views and mountains full of trees, beautiful.
thank you for this 🙏🙏 amazing
Fabulous