>> reporter: his neighbor's homes look like this. they've been sold to the city. so a permanent levee system can be built in their place. but paulson remains, saying no thanks to the city's purchase offer. >> there isn't a better place in town, so, the whole setting as far as the neighborhood is concerned, it's -- it's just -- it's so ideal. >> reporter: the buyouts are voluntary, but since paulson stayed, the cost of his section of the new levee comes out of his own pocket. how much money did that cost you? >> i have no idea. i haven't gotten the bill. >> reporter: but paulson says it will be worth it. that mountain of land should mean no more sandbags. last year it took him 30,000 to stay dry. this year as an extra precaution he will be surrounded on all sides by the clay hills. >> they are all stacked up, the freezer is stacked up, so i can stay here for weeks without having to go out. >> reporter: most walls are removed from the flood, but the one in the backyard stays.