[Cob] Curious, yet frustrated . . .

[lisa marie Almond]

Hello all!

My/Our interest in cobb - and the code discussion that's been going on . . . 
. .

My husband & I currently live in an apartment in central Ohio.  We've talked 
about getting or building a home . . . .  but the pre-made homes that we 
like are usually out of our budget (and we are not looking at those huge 
homes in the "right" neighborhood, either)  and if we build - well although 
we have different ideas on the way to go, we both want something "green" and 
much different from the norm.

I'm a teacher.  He's a computer guy (not currently at the level that makes 
big bucks)  In order to make money, we have to be in the city/suburbs.  I 
might find a teaching job in the country - but he's not going to get a 
computer job.  And I really don't want to be stuck as the "sole provider" 
when/if we start a family.

I like cob & a variety of other earthen structures, but as many of you have 
been discussing, how can you build one to live in UNLESS you are retiring to 
the country (or third world) with enough $$ to support yourself with a 
garden & a few other odds and ends . . .  I loved "How to survive without a 
Salary" by Charles Long, but we don't have any family members or friends 
with land, and I want medical insurance to help pay for any baby bills (or 
other bills) that are likely to come our way over the next several years.

I hear people say "why do you want a code?"  and I get what they're saying.  
But I'm still stuck trying to figure out how to afford or make a home before 
we retire.  I somehow doubt that the city of Columbus (or near-by suburbs) 
would let us get away with ignoring the codes for our main dwelling place 
for very long.  All  it takes (I would think) is one narrow-minded neighbor 
complaining to bring out the red tape . . . .   We had one friend who had to 
deal with this simply because his work truck & trailer (he owns a small 
lawncare company) somehow didn't look right parked in the driveway or street 
next to the house.    They ended up moving to the country/burbs to escape 
that issue & he does a heck of a lot of commuting now - and a lot less 
family time.

If anyone has any input or suggestions, I'd love to hear them!

Don't mean to sound like "poor me"  I just want to figure out a way to make 
things work for my family now, rather than hoping for future changes in a 
positive direction.

Peace -

      Lisa Marie

Jesus brought us a new life in ultimate vulnerability. As a child he was 
dependent on the care and protection of others; he lived as a poor preacher 
without any political, economic, or military power; and he died nailed on a 
cross as a useless criminal. It is in this extreme vulnerability that our 
salvation was won.
- Henri Nouwen

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