Relocation suggestions?

[ebarj1098]

My family is considering relocating from central WI, our area feels a little crowded. I have no idea where to start thinking about, other than the northern midwest. Anyone in these areas have suggestions? I really want a place where we can consider wind/solar power as energy alternatives. We also don't want to be in a place that busses kids to a gigantic school. Would really appreciate anyones thoughts! Also, when checking out an area, can you find out about local regulations online? Like for electric, septic, etc.? Or do you have to check in with a town hall or something. Thanks!

[ET1 SS]

We have recently re-located to Northern Maine, and really like it.

[SolarGary]

Hi,
We moved to SW Montana five years ago after many years in Seattle. We really like it. I'd say you could not go wrong with Bozeman, Misoula, Helena, or the Kalispell area.

If you want something more rural, MT there is plenty of that -- there is about a hundred million acres for less than a million people.

Gary

[ebarj1098]

Is there still cheap land in Montana? Also wondering what factors I need to consider when looking at a place-for homesteading?

[ET1 SS]

I bought 42+ acres on a river for $35k.

My sister-in-law bought 105+ acres across the street for $36k.

Both of these properties are fully forrested.

[CountryGoalie]

I rathermuch like central NY - and I know there are a handful of other homesteaders spread out across western/central NY as well, but I'm not sure where you would check out regulations online, sorry.

[Ramblin Wreck]

If solar is a primary consideration, you might check out southern Colorado, Utah, and the higher elevations in Arizona and New Mexico. They are not overly crowded either. Good luck in your search.

[SolarGary]

Originally Posted by ebarj1098

Is there still cheap land in Montana? Also wondering what factors I need to consider when looking at a place-for homesteading?

Hi,
The land around the areas that are growing fast (Bozeman, Misoula, Kalispell,...) has been going up fast. Acreage around Bozeman has more than doubled since we moved here.
But, if you don't mind (or like) being away from the popuar growing towns, there is a lot of acreage that sells for reasonable prices. Montana has some of the most beautiful river valleys with surrounding mountains that you will find anywhere -- Paradise Valley, Beaverhead Valley, Big Hole river valley, Gallatin Valley, and lots more.
I guess that irrigation might be the biggest issue. The rainfall is fairly sparce (20 inches might be typical), so irrigation makes a big difference in what you can grow or raise. Irrigation rights are complicated, and important to understand before buying.

Gary

[ebarj1098]

Thanks Gary, I guess that's just what I am looking for, some names of areas to try. Just seems like you can't find anything unless you are out there driving back roads.

ET1 SS- These prices were in Maine? What area?

Solar is a concern, but I do want to combine with wind, so I hope that will increase my options.

[WindowOrMirror]

I'm 12-15 miles NW of Wausau here in WI and we're not crowded.... yet. I can see that we'll move farther out in 20 years though.

R

[BamaSuzy]

Make CERTAIN that you check out zoning, future land use plans, etc. no matter where you consider!!! There is a nationwide movement to have everything "zoned" and they disguise it by calling it "land use management" and a lot of other names....

But it basically means you can't do whatever you want on your own property...

Even some of the most rural areas have been affected!

So if you want to raise your own livestock, drill your own well, building your own house, etc. be especially wary of the regulations...

It's part of the government's ideas of we don't have enough sense to take care of ourselves....I've been a reporter nearly 25 years so don't anybody even SUGGEST that it is in our best interest....the stories I could tell you are awful....

If folks want to live in a zoned, regulated community let them buy land in a gated community or in a town, don't let them move out intot he country and then start demanding that things be changed because the animals smell, we don't have enough sense to build our own buildings, etc. etc. etc......

Best wishes and keep us posted on your search!

[crystalniche]

This is so true. We moved here in '77 when it was rural and most of the neighbors had or wanted animals. Then some of those neighbors moved away and city people moved in. They allow their dogs to run and kill our animals then complain that we shouldn't have the animals even tho we have 9 acres and plenty of room for them. One neighbor threatened my DH that they were going to sue us because everytime our goats/sheep bleated their dogs inside their house would go nuts and destroy things. They wanted us to pay for the damages to their house that their own dogs were doing! Then it was our Muscovy ducks they went after saying they were afraid that they would get loose and get into their swimming pool. One day we came home and they were all dead in their pen but of course no one saw anything. They dump their pool backwash water onto our front yard while we are at work killing all my flowers and everything else in that area. Called the town but nothing was done other than them telling them not to do that but they still do it. Also drained their radiator in their SUV into our yard. They think that because we have more land (lots) than they do that it is ok for them to do this. They keep trying to change the property boundries but we have a survey and it is well marked. These city people are from NYC where they were living right on top of each other and think now they are kings of a kingdom or something. They have no kids, don't like kids so complain bitterly if kids come to visit and make any noise. I mean any kind of noise such as playing and so on. Say it makes their dogs go crazy etc. One Sunday afternoon they came outside and shouted at one of our guests' children that they didn't want to hear them at all. Then said that "It is a @%&*# little GIRL!" very loudly so everyone could hear them. She was just being a kid playing and laughing nothing unusual. If we were to move again it would be far away from neighbors with lots of land between us that either we owned or that no one could build on---ever. People move and others move in, no matter what the zoning laws are some people can make things really bad if you need your animals for your food or just plain want to keep them. We still have animals but not near the amount that we had before. I strongly advise against CT because there aren't enough areas of this state where you can go to get away from it all and if there are they won't be there very long. Too high prices for homes and land is driving farm type people out and the "Lords of the Universe" type in.

[LindaT_AK]

Originally Posted by ET1 SS

We have recently re-located to Northern Maine, and really like it.

We moved to Northern Maine in 2004 and I loved it. But the work that dh was promised did not turn out to be much and there was not much work, so he decided to come back home here. I was so sad as I loved my place there. Not many people, no cars and the whole year i was there did not hear a single siren.
Linda T.

[ebarj1098]

BamaSuzy, This is exactly what I'm wondering about!! After all the regulations we had to go through in our currant place (Must have septic in before getting electric permit, etc) I'd really like to locate in a place where we would have the option of doing something not "normal". (Like alternative power.) How do I find out that kind of info before buying? I think we are going to concentrate on northern WI and MN for now, we'll see. Thanks!

[donsgal]

Missouri works well for me. But it *is* getting more crowded every day - unfortunately.

Arkansas is good too.

donsgal

[donsgal]

Originally Posted by crystalniche

They have no kids, don't like kids so complain bitterly if kids come to visit and make any noise. I mean any kind of noise such as playing and so on. Say it makes their dogs go crazy etc. One Sunday afternoon they came outside and shouted at one of our guests' children that they didn't want to hear them at all. Then said that "It is a @%&*# little GIRL!" very loudly so everyone could hear them. She was just being a kid playing and laughing nothing unusual. .

It's people like this who give the childfree a bad name. I don't like exceptionally loud children or kids that insist on bouncing their basketball at 7 am on saturday morning outside my window grrrrrrr. But you do have to give kids allowances for being kids. After all, WE were noisy once!

People who move to the country and then try to make it just exactly like the city they moved from annoy the heck out of me.

donsgal

[ET1 SS]

Originally Posted by ebarj1098

ET1 SS- These prices were in Maine? What area?

Penobscot county.

We knew that we would be moving to Maine, during my last couple years on active duty, we scoured various magazines to determine where the best economy would be for our retirement and decided on Maine. I spent two summers working with realtors and visiting every peice of land for sale, beginning along the Southern border with New Hampshire and working North.
Just beyond Augusta the land prices start dropping. They drop and drop until you eventually get up to Aroostock. But we really did not want to be that far away. Keep in mind that what realtors list will across the board be at least 20% higher than the true local land prices. I have seen way cheap prices, jsut having dinner in a restaurant and asking the waitress; others will overhear and begin offering which places in the area are for sale. Many times these 'hidden' properties are not listed anywhere, or with anyone. They just have a sign posted.

I know of one neighbor that had posted his property and wanted $50k for it. But after being posted for a year, he finally listed it with a realtor, who immediately raised the price to $85k (he is selling 350 acres).