My husband and I are seriously considering taking the plunge and moving out into the country, living on a farm, raising most of our food...etc. My husband lived that way for 20 years...so we wouldn't be doing it without any knowledge or experience. Our home is all paid off - we would be able to walk into it with whatever money we are able to make off of the sale (not a ton...it's a pretty average home...but still). I'm not really looking for opinions (I already know it's kind of crazy ;)). What I'm looking for....is suggestions on locations. Again...you could call this a wild dream/fantasy if you want...but having some ideas on a place makes it more fun to think about...and who knows what the future will bring :). What we're looking for...is a decent amount of Acreage. If it was the perfect spot, we might settle for as little as 8-10...but we'd prefer 25+ (I don't think my husband ever lived on less than 75 prior to us getting married). We don't want super extreme seasons...but I kind of do like some snow. We'd like somewhere with at least 2 sources of water (creek/well/pond/spring/etc.). We'd like a decent amount of lumber on the property as well. Huntable wildlife would be nice...a pond with fish would be nice. I haven't been to most of the states...so I really don't know what's out there - other than what I see on a map. My husband grew up in Arkansas and Oklahoma and both times had land that met all of that criteria (I'd like a little more snow than that tho')...but I'm curious what else is out there. The land being reasonably inexpensive is also important...we'd like to keep as much in savings after the purchase of the property as we can. Anybody else doing the same thing/wanting to do the same thing? Any good blogs/websites out there? We do have kids...and I know, I've already been informed it's insane to take kids and put them out on a farm like we'd like to...but my husband said it was the best thing for him and his siblings...and our kids already spend most of their time outside. If we're not up the canyon...they're out playing with the chickens or dog in our back yard...and grumbling about why we have to live in the city. Anyway...I was googling stuff last night...and just thought I'd throw it out there and see what ideas y'all had! Thanks :)
I agree...I don't want to be too isolated (for their sakes, or mine!) We do have some investments that pay regulalry (although I don't want to count too heavily on that...). He used to raise and sell goats and other livestock...that's how they made it work when he was a kid (among other things...but that was his favorite). Our kids are fairly young and spend more time playing with each other at this point. I don't know that it will be 'forever'. It's one of those things that everyone in our family has been expressing a desire to do for years...and I just don't want to get old and wish we'd tried it. If it doesn't work out...that's fine :).
As adults, my husband and I would love to have a farm. But we couldn't do that to the boys. They live within easy walking distance of 6 of their close friends. I want them to be able to maintain friendships that I don't have to drive them for. After the kids graduate high school, perhaps it'd be a consideration, but for now....we stay in town.
It does help to live on a nice big lot that is backed up into the woods though. :-)
Can I come? I've always joked about becoming a farmer. It's funny because I am such a city girl. I even hate bugs! I couldn't imagine having my own chickens and things, but it is one of my dreams!
I don't have any suggestions, but I can tell you that northwest Il/NorthEast Iowa is really, really beauty --lots of lovely rolling fields, etc. It might be too much snow for you, though.
I'm not opposed to living in the country and raising my own food and growing my vegetables....for some, it's a wise idea and works well for them. Your husband has experience in this - however - you need to know what your income will be - things get expensive....feed...machinery....etc. so is this going to be a FULL TIME thing or after he gets off his day job?
I don't know about blogs. Sorry.
Ohio has good land. I don't know about the prices.
Southwestern Virginia is cheap. i could probably sell my home and with the profits buy at least 4 homes with the prices down there.
Tennessee.
Kentucky.
West Virginia
Idaho.
Oregon.
Out of all of those - the one with the most "seasons" without a TON of snow would be Oregon...more wet than snow. It does snow there.
Personally? I'd love South Dakota or Wyoming - but the winters there can be VERY harsh.
Good luck!! Hope you find what you are looking for!!
My brother lives an hour outside of Phila. and has 10 acres he is able to hunt on. He has neighbors and his kids are in a great school district. Every time I visit him I can't believe he lives only 20 minutes from me because it feels like the country yet he is so close to shopping and everything else.
Are you aware that some states (Kansas and Colorado and probably others) are giving away land because their rural areas have become so depopulated that their tax base is collapsing? I drove across the country this summer and saw several roadside signs about this. It might be worth researching.
My girlfriend has a subscription to a hobby farm magazine and it always features a real estate section of existing hobby farms, new and old, or ideal land. Try that.
I am a fan of Iowa, Missouri and Illinois for what you are looking for. (because I know these areas)
My husband and I have the same dream!
So you want a mini-farm or farmette? What I mean is, you don't want to farm 250+ acres and raise livestock for a living, right?
I don't know what you consider inexpensive. In Iowa farmland can sell for $2000/acre all the way up to $100,000+/acre. And over 90% of Iowa land is used for agriculture so there is a strong farming culture/community.
I think you can find what you are looking for (I don't know about the water sources in some places) in most agricultural states.
Think of the grain belt (Iowa, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Nebraska, Kansas, Minnesota).
The mid-atlantic states also have some beautiful areas with farming culture.
If you do a google search for homesteader magazine, you should find a lot of links. I would think you would be able to find similar-minded folks in most rural areas. I know there's a few around me. I would suggest Michigan, for obvious reasons :) but it may be too snowy for you.
Check out the Appalachians. Land there is still pretty cheap and plentiful and has all those things you are looking for- game to hunt, land to farm, rivers, lakes, etc. That also takes you through a wide swath of states. I'm preferable to NC (of course) but you also have VA, MD, GA, and on up north. Good luck in taking the plunge!
Detroit is literally giving away land to people who are starting homestead urban farming. Its really a thing! But others mentioned there are a couple of states that are giving away land if you promise to live on it for a while.
I had to laugh at JC below - we live on ten acres outside of philly.... Do I know you?? LOL!
I don't know alot about many different areas but I know my brother lives in KY and there are a lot of farms out there and he worked on one for years. And I lived in OR for 11 years as a child and there are a lot out there too. I know both states get snow.
Ohio - low housing costs, rural farm land close to large cities, easy to navigate.
ETA: I grew up in a very rural setting in Eastern PA, far from everything. Yes, it was isolating, and it was the best childhood I could have asked for. I wish I could give it to my kids. I say go for it.
Your idea sounds wonderful! I could never do it, but I think it would be an amazing lifestyle! I am posting a link to an organic farm, it's farm stand, and house that are for sale in Illinois. I kept pestering my friend to buy it. Her husband said no ;-) FYI, I do not know the seller. I only heard about the property because my farmer's market vendor posted it on Facebook.
http://www.forsalebyowner.com/listing/4-bed-Farm-Land-for...
Good luck to you and keep us posted!
Kentucky is beautiful and as far as growing things, it's God's country. You drop a seed and it grows. But the schools, roads and access to good health care can stink. It has a State income tax. More snow than TN.
Tennessee has no State income tax, the ability to grow things is almost as good as Ky, the roads are much better, schools better. More snow than OK.
Access to good health care is better if you live close to a big city.
But that's before Obama Care, so all bets are off.
What about Montana or Idaho? Nice countryside. You can hunt & will get
snow.
I don't know that I would pull my kids out of school & I would feel badly for them to change schools if they are older.
However, you could still move to a state w/some farm land, plant a garden, have your husband hunt for meat, have chickens, your dog, a cow, goat etc.
I would probably realize your dream while having some limits to it.
While HE liked the lifestyle, chances are your kids may not.
So don't go cold turkey, don't isolate yourselves, allow them the beautiful countryside w/the comforts of modern times.
You can always "try" it with the idea in mind that it does not have to be forever.
What about Montana or Idaho? Nice countryside. You can hunt & will get
snow.
I don't know that I would pull my kids out of school & I would feel badly for them to change schools if they are older.
However, you could still move to a state w/some farm land, plant a garden, have your husband hunt for meat, have chickens, your dog, a cow, goat etc.
I would probably realize your dream while having some limits to it.
While HE liked the lifestyle, chances are your kids may not.
So don't go cold turkey, don't isolate yourselves, allow them the beautiful countryside w/the comforts of modern times.
You can always "try" it with the idea in mind that it does not have to be forever.
I grew up in Central IL, and the landscape that you've described fits my hometown area. I would actually suggest it fits most of the midwest.
Lots of farming, hunting, seasons change, tons of acreage that if affordable.
I'm picturing a farmhouse on a gravel road with a huge pasture, corn/bean fields surrounding and a wooded area at the back of the property.
My parents live in this now (not the farm part, but everything else), and my aunt has the scenario inclusive of a farm.
Only challenge is being 30+ minutes away from stores, or emergency service.
All I can say is, good for you.
You might want to check out the http://www.homesteadingtoday.com/ forum and/or Countryside and Small Stock Journal magazine for ideas and suggestions.
Best of luck!
We moved from Eastern PA (Philly suburbs) to Montana 3 years ago and it was a very good decision for our family. We are not really the gardening/farming kinda people, and unless you put up a big fence and start stuff in a greenhouse, it's hard to have a garden here. Our kids have adjusted well and we really enjoy the slower pace of life. We are learning to enjoy the snowy winters and even look forward to them, but they are a lot longer than midwestern or eastern winters. I would say if you have the dream, go for it. You can always move back to more populated areas if you find it's not all you hoped it would be.
We only have a few acres in Texas (no state income tax), but we do grow our own vegetables and fruit. It's very hot here, but we have our own well and a large stock pond. Most of our neighbors have 10+ acres and own livestock. We have a pig, but he's a pet. :)
We moved out of a traditional neighborhood 13 years ago, and it was a wonderful decision for our family. Our boys love it, and so do my husband and I. We are still very close to work/school and to stores and restaurants, but when we are home, it feels like the middle of nowhere. It's so peaceful. Good luck with your decision. :)
I just want to say that that sounds perfectly lovely.
