Which state?

[NickyBlade]

Say you had $50,000 and nothing tying you to any particular place. What state would you choose to buy land and settle down in and why? Are there any areas in the US you would completely try to avoid?

[chickenista]

That depends on what you like? Or do you like it all?
For me.. I couldn't take the desrt-y areas. I need trees. I can live without the ocean.. I burn and I hate wind. I don't want to do bitter cold winters that last half the year and I do not want to burn up in the summer... of course it is 97 ***&*&***&* degrees here today... so.....

[Old Vet]

That is a loaded question if I ever heard one. For me I would not chose the North for I hate white mud I would not chose anything west of the rockies because of the popitics their, I would not chose the deseert I like water and haveing pleatey of it around for drinking and watering plaints I would not live on the coast I love the ocean and the mild weather but I hate huricanes, That only leaves north Texas Arkansas Teneciee. That is my choice I can live anywhere and chose Arkansas because first of all I was borned here and second because it is the place that most fits my lifestile. I have nothing bad to say about anywhere but like the place that I live now. If you are the type of persion that likes the bright lights then move to New York City and you will find hapiness.

[Scrounger]

The only thing that stops me from recommending Nebraska is the fact that they are killing us with TAXES here.

North Carolina is a great place - I was stationed there for almost 4 years....

[chickenista]

What is wrong with Hawaii?
Other than it it is a tourist populated island in the middle of the sea? That is used for GMO experiments?
The island thing would freak me out.

[DW]

Like humidity? IA or MO (more for your money)
Don't like humidity? CO, WY, western NE
I grew up 6 blocks f/Mississippi River in IA but Hate humidity...packed a bag, took the train west at the age of 18 to land in Colorado.

[Macybaby]

I'll rule out any state that gets better than a "C-" on the Brady grade sheet.

Then I'd narrow it down to planting zone 5 or 6, possilby 7 (But I'm use to colder weather). From that point, it would get more specific about the particular place within a state.

[Piney Woods]

Personally I would move to the Ozarks (missouri, arkansas, oklahoma). Water, trees, four seasons.

[avandris]

I would say Idaho(where I live), but you will only get a used mobile home or a teeny amount of bare land for $50,000 anymore. Plus we are getting too many people here anyway. Make a list of what you like and don't and then it is a process of elimination.

[ErinP]

Originally Posted by NickyBlade

Say you had $50,000 and nothing tying you to any particular place. What state would you choose to buy land and settle down in and why? Are there any areas in the US you would completely try to avoid?

Why, Southwestern Nebraska, of course.
Or perhaps NW Kansas, if you don't want to get into the whole property tax argument with Scrounger.

Land is dirt cheap. Winters are relatively mild, summers get warm, but low humidity. We're a solid Zone 5, fairly dry, but we do get rain and/or snow now and again.
Population is low which means people tend to appreciate one another and give each other space and respect.

I don't see how you could go wrong.

[Cabin Fever]

Please do not consider Minnesota and tell all of your friends not to come here either. We have enough people living here all ready. And besides, all we have to offer are forests, lakes, wildlife, great schools, and the healtiest population in the country. Heck, we don't even have a winning football team....it's miserable.

[FL.Boy]

Well if i had $50,000 and nothing tying me down i would leave the states and just come back and work a few months here and go back to my kingdom for a few months. lol

[Windy in Kansas]

To me the climate I live in has everything to do about where I would be willing to live.

I don't want cold and I don't want extreme heat nor high humidity which give discomfort.

In my opinion that means each individual must decide what their comfort level is which narrows choice.

What do you want from the land? Do you wish to do extensive gardening? That would mean soils without a great amount of rocks are important.

Does an area have a long term adequate water supply or must you always worry about whether a catchment system would gather enough for your use?

What fits my needs and wants seem to be a relatively small area in Kansas. What might fit your wants and needs might be New Zealand. To each their own. Only research and visiting an area can provide such in my opinion.

[NickyBlade]

Originally Posted by Cabin Fever

Please do not consider Minnesota and tell all of your friends not to come here either.

I have no friends!

[NickyBlade]

Thanks for the responses so far...

I was just curious about areas other people really liked... and why. When dh retires, we'll probably end up back in upstate NY, or north west PA, back with our family and friends. But then part of me really doesn't want to move back there with all the laws and taxes and more laws and building codes and... I asked what states you would avoid basically because I think my top three "would not want to live there" are Hawaii, California, and NY.

What we want... 10+ wooded acres, 14x24 cabin with loft that we will build ourselves, decent sized garden, chickens, and if everything else is going really well maybe a milking cow. We also like to hunt. We pay cash for everything and fifty grand is (hopefully) a low figure for the funds we'll have available. I'm just saving and saving for now so we can afford our dreams later, whatever they may be... or should I say "where ever!"

[Minelson]

I like it here in South Dakota. Your $50,000 will go a long way here. People are very friendly when you see them. There is no state income tax. Lots of space and a good place to hide from the world. Best of all...we have lots of hay!

[MushCreek]

We found our state- upstate SC, near the mountains. After 27 years in CT (too cold/expensive) and 27 years in FL (too hot/crowded/expensive) we bought acreage in SC, and will be moving in a year or so. Relatively low cost of living, no zoning, moderate climate. Perfect? Far from it, but so is every other state for one reason or another. It works for us.

[mnn2501]

Originally Posted by NickyBlade

Say you had $50,000 and nothing tying you to any particular place. What state would you choose to buy land and settle down in and why? Are there any areas in the US you would completely try to avoid?

I couldn't buy anything for $50,000 where I want to live, would need 10 times that for a halfway decent home which is why we are still in Texas. -- Where would it be? Orlando, FL

[mnn2501]

Cabin Fever -- I see you're between Cross Lake and Emily, nice area, my brother is between Emily and Outing.

[stranger]

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