What you need to know before you relocate ... Most people find themselves attracted to the beauty and solitude that is part and parcel of the desert and Terlingua Ranch. Often, however, people neglect to consider the attendant adjustments that are necessary in order to create a full time life here. If you purchased raw land you must seriously consider how you will provide some of the basic services that most Americans take for granted elsewhere. For owners who are contemplating a permanent move to Terlingua Ranch it is very important that before you build or drill a well or erect any structure that you know exactly where your property is located. The only absolute method is to have the property surveyed by a certified surveyor. Local certified surveyors are James Jackson, (432) 371-2120 and Stephen Walker, (432) 837-7272 and Ken West, (432) 837-7164. Exact surveys are very important also for those contemplating subdivision of a larger tract to ensure that the resulting tracts meet acreage requirements regarding septic and other State and County subdivision regulations. New electric service can be quite expensive. If your property does not already have a meter you should contact Rio Grande Electric Co-op in Alpine, (800) 460-0679. Some property owners use wind and/or solar systems for their electricity. Propane systems provide an alternative to electric refrigeration. For water you must provide your own system by either drilling a well, creating a catchment system, or buying water from either the ranch or the Study Butte Water Corporation. Any of these options require a system of storage tanks. Armadillo Drilling, (432) 837-2378, and Skinner's Drilling, (432) 837-2497, are two well services in Alpine. Licensed septic systems are required for tracts 10 acres or less. Contact the Brewster County Judge's office for up to date information. (432) 837-2412. Also see Subdivision Regulations. Propane service is available from West Texas Gas in Alpine, (800) 446-3348 and Mustang Propane in Marathon, (432) 386-4432. You may take small tanks into Study Butte or Alpine for refills. For home delivery you may purchase a tank or rent one from the vendor; minimum orders for home delivery is usually 100 gallons. Garbage disposal is available through Duncan Disposal in Alpine, (432) 837-1244, who will lease you a dumpster. A 3-yrd dumpster currently runs almost $2000 per year, so many property owners find a shared arrangement more economical. The dumpsters that you see along the county road and the dumpsters at the ranch are not for general use. Local telephone service is provided by Big Bend Telephone Company in Alpine. They can be reached at 1-800-592-4781. Service is relatively inexpensive as telephone lines were run over the majority of Terlingua Ranch 25 years ago. Big Bend Telephone now provides DSL service to many areas of south Brewster County. The Terlingua area has excellent EMS services and a Volunteer Fire Department which can be reached by dialing 911. The nearest emergency medical facility is in Alpine. The FEMS business office can be reached at (432) 371-2356. Despite rumors otherwise, the ranch is not really in the business of renting out heavy equipment to build driveways, building pads or other non-road maintenance work. We will, if time permits and we are in your area, do minor work at a $100 per hour, per machine charge. Other helpful contact numbers are:
Relocation now involves obtaining a 911 street address. Almost no services can be had without one. For an official 911 street address contact the Rio Grande Counsel of Governments in El Paso at 1-800-333-7082. With foresight and planning a relocation to south Brewster County and your property on Terlingua Ranch can be one of the most rewarding experiences of your life. Remember to think "self-sufficiency" and be certain this is the right move for you before you commit your energy and resources to the desert. September 3, 2004: Here is an interesting quote from a rural living web site: "Many people choose to move to the country for a better sense of freedom. This freedom can be a double-edged sword. Freedom to do with your land what you want without restraints of homeowner associations and stringent building codes and regulations and nosy neighbors. But with that freedom also comes the added responsibility of not relying on government agencies to always provide your electricity, gas, and water or road maintenance." This web site is worth checking out before you make final decisions about moving to your property in south Brewster County. http://www.govbiz.com/buyingtips.htm |
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