Takeaways:
- Saturday Night Live alum Kate McKinnon is embracing off-grid living on her new “homestead.”
- She shared her quirky goal of “surviving the apocalypse for four days” during a podcast with Amy Poehler.
- The comedian spends her days gardening, woodworking, and learning survival skills.
Kate McKinnon Trades City Life for a Self-Sufficient Homestead
After two decades in New York City, Kate McKinnon has officially left urban life behind. The SNL and Ghostbusters star revealed on Amy Poehler’s podcast, “Good Hang,” that she’s now living on a “homestead” — a rural property where she’s learning to live off the land.
“I belong on the homestead,” McKinnon, 41, told Poehler. “My goal is surviving the apocalypse [for] four days. If I can make it to four, oh mama, I will have achieved something.”
A Childhood Love of Nature Comes Full Circle
McKinnon shared that her connection to nature isn’t new — it started when she was a kid fascinated by bugs, science, and backyard adventures.
“I loved bugs and science and making nature crafts,” she recalled. “Every time we went to a seafood restaurant, I’d ask my mom if I could take home the clam and lobster shells, rinse them off, and play with them in the bathtub.”
Her childhood curiosity has now evolved into a passion for simple, hands-on living.
Life on the Homestead: Gardening, Woodworking, and More
While McKinnon kept the exact location of her property private, she did share a glimpse into her new lifestyle. The Emmy-winning comedian spends her days growing her own food, doing woodworking projects, and even crafting her own furniture.
“My grandfather was a woodworker, my father was an architect,” she said. “I love the practicality of being able to manipulate a material and then spend time in it. You can sit on it! I love to sit on things I do … to say, ‘I will sleep on what I did today.’”
McKinnon proudly shared that she even built her own table — though she joked it “probably decreased the property value” due to its imperfections.
Preparing for the Apocalypse—With Humor
McKinnon’s move to the country isn’t just about slowing down. With her signature wit, she admitted part of her motivation was survivalist curiosity.
“I believe very much that we are doomed,” she joked. “I would like to acquire all of those skills that can make a home function for four days.”
Her next goals? Learning plumbing and electrical work to prepare for any end-of-the-world scenario — or at least a power outage.
Amy Poehler and Kate McKinnon: Comedy and Connection
The conversation between McKinnon and her former SNL co-star Amy Poehler was filled with laughter and heartfelt reflections. Poehler applauded McKinnon’s dedication to self-sufficiency and her grounded perspective after years in the entertainment spotlight.
Their easy banter reminded listeners why both comedians remain beloved for their humor and authenticity — even when discussing life after fame, far from Hollywood.
Final Thoughts
Kate McKinnon’s “homestead life” might seem unexpected for the Saturday Night Live legend, but it perfectly reflects her creative and independent spirit. Whether she’s crafting a table or prepping for the apocalypse, McKinnon proves that laughter — and a little resourcefulness — can go a long way.
