So we are the last house at the end of the road that backs up to a Bayou and farmland beyond that. Couple hundred yards to the front gate. Nearly zero police presence. So we on our own.....

I have no misgivings about a monitored security system. We all know that is mostly a feel good. I am just hoping for a few extra seconds of heads up should someone enter my property or be looking around my equipment shed and boat etc.....

Is there a modular self install security system for cameras and motion and turn on lights etc that will alert a phone app? Can add and change yourself? I'm very capable for installations.....I'm not technology savvy at all.

Secondly is there a programmable thermostat on the same system so I don't have to have a second app to log in to it?

An agnostic app might be your best route for compatibility, but Brinks/ADT runs their system through alarm.com (semi agnostic I guess?) and I've been pretty happy with them. The alarm.com devices do tend to work better RE syncing with the app, but if you have any technical ability, you can get other devices synced too. I have Zwave light controllers and switches, I have automations set, home security, fire/smoke detection, CO2 detection, etc all through my alarm.com app.

When I disarm my home alarm after the sun has gone down, the system automatically turns on lamps in my home so we aren't walking into a dark house.

Also, I set my iPhone to run an automation too that interfaces with the alarm.com app. If I've been disconnected from my home wifi for more than a few min and I then reconnect... If my alarm is set, upon reconnecting with home wifi (pulling in my driveway), it automatically disarms my alarm.

Works pretty well. Just takes some programming ability.

So I just re-read your post... I'm sorry I didn't address cameras. Alarm.com doesn't have camera management, at l've not found it in the app.

Ring Cameras tend to be pretty good though. I run mine in the Ring app. For what you're looking for, you may have to invest in some higher end of the Ring line and pay for the monthly service, but they might do what you're looking for. And Ring has thermostats too.

I use Nest, which is a Google product.

I have three cameras outside, one inside, two thermostats, and I also have several smart plugs.

They can all be seen and operated on the Google home app.

We also have a Google Home Hub that that will operate any of them by voice command.

I've had it for six years and installed all of it myself.

The app monthly cost is only $6 per month and it keeps videos for 30 days.

I'd highly recommend it!

Ring

Add. some sensors around exterior of property

It depends on how tech savvy you are. Home Assistant is a very well built 3rd party software that can control the vast majority of smart home devices. You will need to have it running on dedicated hardware which can be done for a reasonable cost. You can set it all up to store locally too so if the Internet is out the video will still be saved.

Setup can be tricky for a few things but most can be easy. It's device agnostic so you won't be stuck into one ecosystem either.

Wyze