What will the next big homesteading state be?

[RoseGarden]

For so long now it's been Missouri, and the Ozarks in general (including parts of Arkansas) that have been so popular with homesteaders as a state to move to because if climate, taxes, government regulations(and lack thereof) and overall affordability. But to be honest, I am wondering how crowded the state is these days? Seems everyone I know is either moving to, planning to move to in the future, or to retire to, Missouri/the Ozarks. There is also the argument that, because population growth is so fast there, that it is just a matter of time before there is more gvmt. regulations. Does anyone care to speculate?

My main question, I suppose, would be what other state can anyone foresee being the next 'homesteading' state? I am always looking with an eye to the future because I really can't conceive of staying here for any great length of time.

[MullersLaneFarm]

It won't be IL .... unless the Chicago area decides to succeed from the state ...

[CountryGoalie]

Or, sadly, NY, unless they take my suggestion and give NYC and its surrounding suburban sprawl over to NJ, where it belongs.

Oop, did I say that out loud?

Really, upstate NY is very pretty, and has some very nice farmland. Unfortunately, we're under the burden of The City down on the south end and have to deal with taxes and regs and such. But, if you don't mind that... there's some nice areas up here for grabs.

Like that 35 acres a few minutes away from me, with three barns (two of which could use some work, but they could be used)... for $35k. Otch...

[Ramblin Wreck]

I think Alabama has potential. The southern half of Georgia might not be too bad, but it is hot/humid there. North Georgia is way overgrown/regulated now. I'm not sure about Mississippi or Louisiana, but they might have room to grow. If you are a hardy soul, the Dakotas are huge with some good land. I'm not sure about the water situation there, and that can sometimes be a big issue in the West. The Canadian Maritime provinces offer some great opportunities I think, and the weather/water situation would be better than the Dakotas. Immigration issues might make that more problematic. The Kenai in Alaska is a wonderful place, but it may be filling up too.

[Jim S.]

There's been a lot of homesteading in Tennessee, starting way back in the '70s with The Farm and like communal homesteads. http://www.thefarm.org/

But now, the state is getting so popular with Northerners moving south and Floridians moving north that the days of cheap land in all but the most remote areas are disappearing here. Over around Waynesboro there is still some cheaper forested land that could make good farmsteads, and of course there is always the straight up and down hill land that can be cheap, but it is hard to farm. If you look at a state map in Perry County along the Tennessee River, there is a HUGE area there that is roadless as far as highways, including the TN National Wildlife Refuge - Russellville Unit. I have always wanted to wander over there and poke around. If one could get an inholding, that could be real nice living, close to the river.

Still low government burden, though. My county has no zoning, no building inspection, etc. Land of the free. And no state income tax, though sales tax is up there at 9-9.5%. A car tag is $25 state fee, plus an county "wheel tax." In my county, a tag is $50, no matter what kind of car you drive. Now, just south of here in Alabama, there's a personal property tax on vehicle value when you buy a tag. That means some friends of mine have had to pay as high as $575 or more for a yearly tag!

We moved here from Virginia. Man, I was glad to get out from under that personal property tax and income tax and etc. over there, although it is a beautiful state, was good to me, and I just love the people.

To get to the OP's original question, I think Mississippi and some parts of southern Alabama, as well as Louisiana, would make great homesteading land. In Alabama, you'd want to look below Talladega or Birmingham. It's cheaper in those areas and states, and the weather is excellent, and much of that land is extremely fertile for pasture or crops. Vegetable crop production can be a nine-month deal without a greenhouse. I have a friend who moved to Mississippi from Wisconsin. Everyone up North told him he was nuts to move down there "where nobody wears shoes." He got on at a power plant in Mississippi, and he feels he has found Nirvana -- extremely low cost of living, coupled with Southern hospitality and a good-paying job.

Another great homesteading place is in NW Alabama, around the Bankhead National Forest, in the Moulton to Double Springs area. You talk about beautiful! Just look... http://outdoors.webshots.com/album/387316662GvomXJ And there are still Cherokee people living there. Because of lack of industry in that area, the land is cheap, and the population relies a lot on cottage industries and old-timey barter exchange to survive. Yet a high-tech engineer could live there and commute to Huntsville and NASA, etc., in maybe an hour or hour and a half.

[georgec]

I just moved to Southeast Oklahoma, mostly because I could afford a bigger chunk of land here than just about anywhere else. I bought 60 acres for $134k, had a 1820 sq foot home built for $95. The economy here is booming, and it's not the boom and bust oil that's driving it. Our property is beautiful with rolling hills, nice green pasture, and a good size pond. The down side is the income tax, and sales tax on food. For home schoolers there are no regulations, and it is guaranteed by the State Constitution.

[RoseGarden]

George, what exactly is booming? Housing? Commercial development? I'm just curious, I would like to know more about SE Oklahoma, but am not sure what the economy is like. If things are doing well there, I'd be interested to know what's going on, what kind of jobs, etc.

[YounGrey]

The WEST!

[bill not in oh]

Costa Rica[

[georgec]

Originally Posted by RoseGarden

George, what exactly is booming? Housing? Commercial development? I'm just curious, I would like to know more about SE Oklahoma, but am not sure what the economy is like. If things are doing well there, I'd be interested to know what's going on, what kind of jobs, etc.

Construction is very strong, lot's of new houses and retail businesses. I live near and work in Ada. There is a Super Walmart and a Super Target about to start construction. There are also quite a few high tech. jobs. There are several large businesses that are expanding, the largest is the Chickasaw Nation, there is also Prepaid Legal, and Kerr Labs.

I'm not sure what is behind the expansion. I moved here from PA, for a 50% raise and they paid all my moving expenses. I can see the results, new houses popping up everywhere, and people are buying them.

[FourDeuce]

Originally Posted by RoseGarden

For so long now it's been Missouri, and the Ozarks in general (including parts of Arkansas) that have been so popular with homesteaders as a state to move to because if climate, taxes, government regulations(and lack thereof) and overall affordability. But to be honest, I am wondering how crowded the state is these days? Seems everyone I know is either moving to, planning to move to in the future, or to retire to, Missouri/the Ozarks. There is also the argument that, because population growth is so fast there, that it is just a matter of time before there is more gvmt. regulations. Does anyone care to speculate?

My main question, I suppose, would be what other state can anyone foresee being the next 'homesteading' state? I am always looking with an eye to the future because I really can't conceive of staying here for any great length of time.

I moved here to the Ozarks 15 years ago, and have noticed a lot of people doing the same thing since then. One thing I have noticed is that not all of them are staying, though, so it does keep the growth limited a bit. :baby04:

[Mutti]

We live here in the Ozarks and many people move in but alot we've known have moved out again when they discover how hard it is to make a good living. If you don't have a skill it is hard to find good employement and it still is the land of "good ole boy" and who you know when you go to find a job. One reason I do my nursing up in Columbia instead of down here in the hills. $9 more an hour for the same job and everyone isn't related to everyone else! Boy,you often need to bite your lip 'cause the person you are talking about is probably someone's cousin or aunt! We do have "locals" as friends --have been accepted after 20 years of living poor, raising our own stock and garden and being a good neighbor...willing to help anyone but keep to ourselves otherwise.
Seems to me that anywhere can be a good place to homestead...we had a good one in MI but at least here we have minimal rules and regulations,low taxes. DEE

[big rockpile]

Originally Posted by Mutti

We live here in the Ozarks and many people move in but alot we've known have moved out again when they discover how hard it is to make a good living. If you don't have a skill it is hard to find good employement and it still is the land of "good ole boy" and who you know when you go to find a job. One reason I do my nursing up in Columbia instead of down here in the hills. $9 more an hour for the same job and everyone isn't related to everyone else! Boy,you often need to bite your lip 'cause the person you are talking about is probably someone's cousin or aunt! We do have "locals" as friends --have been accepted after 20 years of living poor, raising our own stock and garden and being a good neighbor...willing to help anyone but keep to ourselves otherwise.
Seems to me that anywhere can be a good place to homestead...we had a good one in MI but at least here we have minimal rules and regulations,low taxes. DEE

I think your right as far as who you are related to.I know if I go to Lebanon my ExDW kin is there,if I go North kin on my DF side,if I go towards Springfield I was raised down there and everyone knows my DM.Yelp I know and I'm kin to alot of people South of the Missouri River.

big rockpile

[ET1 SS]

Originally Posted by georgec

I just moved to Southeast Oklahoma, mostly because I could afford a bigger chunk of land here than just about anywhere else. I bought 60 acres for $134k, had a 1820 sq foot home built for $95. ... .

Ouch my goodness that is expensive.

[hillsidedigger]

I have heard that Western North Dakota is a great place where an entire town might be purchased for the cost of a house somewhere else.

I worked in that area awhile back and really liked it.

Its a little short on firewood but there's plenty of cheap coal. Water is at a premium but creative solutions could be found like harvesting the incessant wind after drilling a deep well plus the freeze-line goes really deep there which makes breaking ground in the late spring very easy.

[horsefarmer]

Missouri is overcrowder, polluted and just awful. You wouldn't like it here. Not at all. If everyone else decides they do like it here, I'm going to Arkansas, the southern part and buy a swamp.

[RoseGarden]

Well, I really have no intention of moving to Missouri, ergo my question. I am searching for places other than Missouri that might be a good place to homestead.

[georgec]

Originally Posted by ET1 SS

Ouch my goodness that is expensive.

I thought it was very inexpensive. Where else can you buy land for 2k an acre and have good paying jobs within driving distance?

[ET1 SS]

I paid $900/acre for riverfrontage, my inlaws paid $350/acre with no riverfrontage. We are 7 minutes from the freeway, 20 minutes from a city with an international airport / military base / shopping mall / etc.

[bill not in oh]

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