What's the Shawn Mullins lyric, LA is "kinda like Nashville with a tan"?
I don't have any input about the shipping container idea (except to say that weather measured on the Enhanced Fujita Scale might be a non-trivial concern), but before you get locked into the concept, you might start talking to a Realtor about what's available in (lightly) zoned exurbs or light industrial areas here in Tennessee. Enough people have bought into the whole "crofting" vibe, at least here in East Tennessee, that you might be surprised what's available.
Another thought might be to talk to Tim Layton--I just know the fellow from his Web content, but it seems that he's taken his setup entirely off the grid.
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