Info on North Carolina would be appreciated

NataliaTwoDoes · #1 10/04/11, 09:36 AM

Hey There,
Im looking into moving to North Carolina in the next two years and I was hoping someone could give me info on counties that have fairly loose zoning laws, and building regulations. We'd like to consider building an earth berm house and have goats on whatever size acreage we manage to find we are hoping for 5 or more acres however we would settle for any area that accepts animals weather it 1/2 acre or more. We are eyeing the foothills area and more specifically Boone NC since App state is a rural university and I am still finishing my degree.
So do you know about NC? What do you like about it? What DONT you like about it? And what are the major laws that affect those who are wanting to homestead?
Thanks in Advance
Natalia

luv2farm · #2 10/04/11, 09:39 AM

Dont really know anything about homesteading or laws in NC, as I live in TN. But, I DO LOVE Boone!! We have been vacationing there several times. Layed back, easy going, BEAUTIFUL area! I dont really know what you are looking for, but if eye-appeal is essential......Boone is your place! Good luck on your search.

Raven12 · #3 10/04/11, 09:52 AM

The Boone area has changed a lot (increase in development). The amount of land you want will not be an easy find close to the college. The cost is another factor. You may have to be flexible with the location.

NataliaTwoDoes · #4 10/04/11, 09:55 AM

Thanks Stephanie,
I live it the Sierra Nevadas here in Eastern California and I love the mountains. Here it rains very rarely during the summer so everything is very dry and crusty until the fall winter torrents start. I would like a place that stays green for the most part but mostly I'd like the local government to be unintrusive in regards to property rights, and zoning and building regulations.

NataliaTwoDoes · #5 10/04/11, 10:02 AM

TY Raven I dont mind being a little further out, here I am 30-40 miles away from the closest public university and Id have to commute. I would like to be closer in proximity than that to whatever university is nearby. Boone is not the only place I will consider, it just appeals to me. I would love some recommendations on areas to look into if possible.

Raven12 · #6 10/04/11, 10:07 AM

Besides Boone, I would recommend the Brevard and Asheville areas. Both have colleges/universities. A warning: a lot of the "cute" mountain towns stay cute because of the strict zoning within the town limits. The farms are mainly on the outskirts.

I haven't been there but I have heard good things about Western Carolina University in Cullowhee. If you like remote wilderness.

NataliaTwoDoes · #7 10/04/11, 10:10 AM

Thanks Alot Raven

Karenrbw · #8 10/04/11, 10:16 AM

My parents live outside of Boone. Land prices have jumped considerably in just the past few years. It isn't uncommon to find small parcels like you are think of for the neighborhood of $10,000 per acre. Many of these parcels are found in gated communities in which the Florididiots live. It has also been their experience that App State isn't really a rural university like you may be thinking of. My parents live about 18 miles outside of town and it sometimes takes them a hour to get to work in the winter because of the roads and issues with snow, etc. I don't know what your degree aspirations are, but I wish you the best of luck.

partndn · #9 10/04/11, 10:53 AM

Ummm.. I am a lifer.

I think you're in deep doo. This is not a good place to choose.

Those mountain towns/areas are of the absolutely most beautiful, without a doubt. You have no idea how controlled, manipulated, and oversee'd they are. Very bad state to pick if you ask me.

There are only a couple rural counties remaining that have a little room for you to live freely. They are however, not close to universities.

Sorry! As things are continuously changing, you'd have to check the municipality websites for any counties you look into. But our state overall has gone left with all the imports.

oz in SC V2.0 · #10 10/04/11, 12:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NataliaTwoDoes

Hey There,
Im looking into moving to North Carolina in the next two years and I was hoping someone could give me info on counties that have fairly loose zoning laws, and building regulations. We'd like to consider building an earth berm house and have goats on whatever size acreage we manage to find we are hoping for 5 or more acres however we would settle for any area that accepts animals weather it 1/2 acre or more. We are eyeing the foothills area and more specifically Boone NC since App state is a rural university and I am still finishing my degree.
So do you know about NC? What do you like about it? What DONT you like about it? And what are the major laws that affect those who are wanting to homestead?
Thanks in Advance
Natalia

No zoning in Rutherford County.
There are building codes,no idea on what it entails.

Our little 'development'(more like undevelopment...LOL) has lots from 5 acres to just under 20 acres,prices are falling and you could probably get what you want pretty cheap,especially if you offer cash.

Boone is 70 or so miles away from us.

Property taxes seem high to us,much better roads than SC,grocery prices about the same,gasoline is more,some weird gun laws regarding handguns.

I like that where we live,you can't hear anything at night,or see hardly any lights.

To add,there is the Isothermal Community College here.
http://www.isothermal.edu/

ccfromnc · #11 10/04/11, 01:02 PM

I'm in central NC (Chatham county) and grew up in this area.

As with most states, NC has increased in population and land values have risen over the years, especially in areas around the larger cities. The rural area where I live has IMO reasonable land prices and few restrictions for homesteading (we have a large garden and orchard, a good size milking goat herd and will be putting in chickens next spring, neighbors have horses, cows, etc on 5-10 acre small farms). And yes we do have indoor plumbing and a WalMart supercenter

I've lived in both large cities and small towns in NC over the years and what I like most about where I am now is that it is rural but also within an hours drive of the state capitol Raleigh and several good size cities in all directions. I get the best of both worlds. Also within that drive are UNC, Duke, NC State, NC A&T, Elon, and NC Central universities as well as many satellite campuses for UNC around the state.

Don't want to run on and on...feel free to PM me with any particular questions you have and I'll be glad to track down any info that would be helpful for your decision. NC is a wonderful place to call home no matter where you end up in the state. Good luck with your search.

Bearfootfarm · #12 10/04/11, 01:32 PM

Quote:

I'm in central NC (Chatham county) and grew up in this area.

If you like good wine, stop by Silk Hope Winery:

http://www.silkhopewinery.com/

2601 SilkHope Gum Springs Road
Pittsboro, NC 27312
ph: 919-545-5696
wally@silkhopewinery.com

ccfromnc · #13 10/04/11, 02:18 PM

Thanks, I've been by there but never stopped.

NataliaTwoDoes · #14 10/04/11, 02:55 PM

Great information from everyone so far and it is giving me a lot to think about. And did I mention that I appreciate it???

... I have family in Charlotte, and Mooresville and Goldsboro how far is Rutherford and Chatham counties from those areas? It sounds like both of them have different things to offer but if I move out after I get a degree Im not limited to the areas that are near universities which will give us a lot more freedom in picking a place. Im just ready to get outta California which has some wonderful features but the property tax in my county is 1.1% of the insanely high housing prices and building a 1200 sq ft house can cost you 80,000 dollars worth in county and connection fees.... Im ready to check out

Bearfootfarm · #15 10/04/11, 02:58 PM

Quote:

Goldsboro how far is Rutherford and Chatham counties from those areas?

NC has three distinct regions:

Goldsboro is considered "Eastern NC" or "Coastal Plain"
Chatham County is "Piedmont"
Boone is "Mountains"

It's 560 miles end to end

http://www.secretary.state.nc.us/kidspg/geog.htm

Quote:

From Manteo in the east to Murphy in the west, North Carolina is 560 miles wide, making it the widest state east of the Mississippi. Bordered by the Atlantic Ocean on the east, Tennessee on the west, Virginia to the north, and South Carolina and Georgia to the south, North Carolina is divided into three distinct geographic areas: the Coastal Plain in the east, the Piedmont in the center, and Mountains in the west.

http://byways.org/explore/states/NC/maps.html

Info on North Carolina would be appreciated - Homesteading Questions

oz in SC V2.0 · #16 10/04/11, 03:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by NataliaTwoDoes

Great information from everyone so far and it is giving me a lot to think about. And did I mention that I appreciate it???

... I have family in Charlotte, and Mooresville and Goldsboro how far is Rutherford and Chatham counties from those areas? It sounds like both of them have different things to offer but if I move out after I get a degree Im not limited to the areas that are near universities which will give us a lot more freedom in picking a place. Im just ready to get outta California which has some wonderful features but the property tax in my county is 1.1% of the insanely high housing prices and building a 1200 sq ft house can cost you 80,000 dollars worth in county and connection fees.... Im ready to check out

It takes us over an hour to get to Charlotte,over an hour to get to Asheville,and about an hour to get to Spartanburg...seems everywhere takes over an hour...

You could buy a house on land here for $80,000.

NataliaTwoDoes · #17 10/04/11, 03:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by oz in SC V2.0

You could buy a house on land here for $80,000.

That sounds wonderful..... not all california counties have building fees that are this high but I have heard that we have the second most expensive building costs in the US right behind NYC.... I have not looked into it myself though to confirm or deny it.

NataliaTwoDoes · #18 10/04/11, 03:33 PM

Thanks for the map Bearfootfarm I had no idea that NC had the distinction of being the longest state East of the Mississippi....

oz in SC V2.0 · #19 10/04/11, 03:39 PM

It won't be a GREAT house mind you....but the land is what matters really.

You can always build more house.

Silvercreek Farmer · #20 10/04/11, 04:12 PM

What type of work do you plan on doing? Not to discourage you, but several areas in the state (esp. the Foothills) have severe unemployment in the 15%+ range at the moment. For us that is probably the most difficult aspect of homesteading. We moved to our homestead 3.5 years ago and my wife has yet to find stable employment despite having strong education. Anywhere with affordable land tends to lack jobs. If you are young you will probably need to change jobs a few times and possibly move to further your career. It sure does stink to invest 3 years of hard work into your homestead, just to pull up stakes and move somewhere else before you have a chance to really enjoy it. (Kinda where we are now.)

The if you go for the high mountains, they are beautiful, but have long harsh winters more like the midwest, be ready to deal with that if you move near Boone. There are tons of developed lots available for sale, some even in the 3-5 acre range, but most of them are in developments that will not allow animals, and in the high country, most of the lots way too steep to even consider gardening on most of the lot.