This Grandmother Built A Home For Less Than $2,300 - CleanTechnica

A British grandmother relocated to rural Portugal, where she and a friend purchased land and built a cob home—a natural structure made primarily from mud, straw, water, and some wood—at a remarkably low cost of under $2,300. She learned cob building through YouTube and a book, undertaking the project largely on her own at age 58. The majority of her expenses went toward buying the land and installing a new sewer system, while the home itself was inexpensive to construct. She now lives modestly on a small income, growing some of her own food and paying a minimal monthly water bill, which allows her more free time and independence compared to conventional living. Her experience highlights several broader themes: the prohibitive cost of conventional housing forces many people into lifelong renting and financial strain, whereas alternative building methods like cob homes offer affordable, sustainable housing options. Additionally, living in a natural, low-chemical environment away from urban pollution may contribute positively to physical and mental health, especially for older adults