How is the state for a neighbor?

Always remember its public land, that means its there for the public to use. Usually that is a good thing but if the population grows , the usage will grow. Most all large public land areas will be logged and that is the best way to manage the trees. It is a ugly mess for at least 5 probably 10 years.
But I would never own property again next to or near any federal state or city property,. Reason I bought some land next to a state park several years ago, was going to be my dream cabin for retirement. The state decided to enlarge the park and under the law had the right to buy it at appraised value it did not matter what I wanted Imminate domain.
Years lated bought a house next to a county school here in North alabama and they decided they needed more studient parking same story.
I know it can happen so when I bought the farm I talked to a geologist paid him to check out the area for possible future possible land fill use, mining ect. Limestone laying under the soil for miles in ever direction no way anyone could use it for a landfill for the county or any city. No one wants to mine limestone. Mine will not even make good gravel for road building. But always remember the only thing you can be sure of is you can;t be sure of anything. David

Do not under estimate the stupidity factor that there can be with hunters. Fortunately the ones most likely to cause problems won't go out as far. Where I grew up there were 2 kinds of hunters...those that wanted the deer for meat and sport and those that used hunting time as an excuse to drink and play with guns.

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Give Blood it saves lives.

If I might add in a correction factor to pink carnations post.
Do not underestimate the stupidity factor with "People in general".
Insurance companies base their whole system on this basic principle, and have become "One" of the most powerful business forces in the country. Nuff said...?
If you think some drunk inbreds causing mayhem with guns are "Hunters"...
Well then we might also have to call the soccer mom in a mini-van rushing late to practice with a load of screaming kids, yacking on her cell, and turning around to swat at kids a vehicular manslaughter "Murderer". (Just waiting to happen)
Point here is that there always has been, and always will be a certain percentage of people who "Just don't get it".
Years ago it was called having horse sense, or common sense.
The biggest problem is that the bar has been getting lowered drastically every generation since people en-mass started leaving the farm, for the city, and losing the qualities of having Horse/Common sense.
I believe Einstein said it best when he said : Only 2 things are infinite.
The universe, and human stupidity, but I'm not quite sure about the universe.
And I have actually had people drive in to an area where people did a lot of target shooting, and start setting up targets (their empty beer cans if I remember correctly)... behind me...? Yes you heard that right.
Cutting to the chase, when I tried talking to them, they said that I should not worry... because they were going to be shooting down at the "Targets" and that I was fine where I was at....?
Needless to say, my practice session ended right then and there.
Anyone trying to reason with people like that should be commited to the institute themselves....not going to happen, what we call lost causes.

If you do end up getting land next to any kind of public access, might I suggest this:
Make certain that there is absolutely zero/none/nada shooting areas/pits, targets etc. that "Idiots could fire at and have you be even remotely "Down range" from.
In 99 I lived in Colorado, and there was a favorite local shooting spot that I used to frequent where some people used to shoot "Up" the hill.
Now most people shot "Down" into a depression where there was a huge earth berm which made a good backstop.
Well one day I am out shooting and a real angry guy comes driving up and sees that I am shooting "Down" and not up, and asks me if there were other people shooting.
I said a couple of young guys left just as I got there (only about 5 min. prior).
Anyhow he said he lived on the other side of the hill, and that somebody shooting "Up" over the hill was hitting his house, and he was not real happy as you can imagine.
Anyway just an example of stupid people, not even knowing the danger their poor decisions put others in.

I'm gonna walk this tomorrow morning. I got a map and deed from the realtor, but I cant make sense of of the written description of the boundary lines in the deed versus whats on the map. The realtor wasnt actually the listing agent and didnt know anything about this property....so I'll be walking the property by my self which is probably a good thing.

I'll try to get in contact with the listing agent directly next week if im still interested and may also stop into the town hall to get some more records. The tone of the realtor I spoke to changed a bit, understandably, after I told her I'm not interested in buyers representation.

Remember farmerbrian, the listing agent has a fiduciary relationship with the seller. A buyer's broker is always recommended.

In your contract, specify that, if you don't get it surveyed (which most here would recommend) at least get it staked. That way you will have no issue over boundary lines. Don't forget the land needs to perk if you're not on city water.

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Only she who attempts the absurd can achieve the impossible

In rough country, the only problem you will usually have is with hunters. Build a good fence, paint the posts purple (or post "no tresspassing" signs...whatever is right for your area) You may run into a bit of trouble with those "I've been hunting on this land for years" people, but with a bit of encouragement and persistence, they can be delt with. That is the negative side.

The positive side is that there will be never be a subdivision popping up, nor will you ever have any conflicts with neighbors on that side... They can't b#@%h about your roosters crowing, or the smell of you sheep manure, or not liking your dog. Logging is a possibility in most places. If you have enough land, leave a buffer of trees on your side of the fence...and it won't be as obnoxious as it sounds. If it is already cleared, plant a couple of rows of evergreens......seedling trees are cheap...and often free from the conservation department or Arbor day people.

this!

This is pretty much exactly why I am looking at properties in general. Where I live right now is about as homestead friendly as a subdivision is gonna get but I still doesnt feel right. My neighbors are reasonable people but they are just too close and I dont want to even have to consider "what are the neighbors gonna think" for each aspect of my homesteading plan.

our last place was a mile from a public road (dirt)that lead to a public 'playground' that was one thing i do NOT miss--having some knothead show up at my door at any hour, uh gee, we're stuck, can you help us? esp with all the signs lining this road, telling them its not passable in bad weather, no motor vehicles past this point, etc.!!! we even had 2 convicts camp in our lower barn, campfire included!! check what KIND of public ground it is--i did enjoy lots of riding on it, but wow, the idoits free hunting land can bring was truly amazing. some showed us a whole new level of stupid.

My land borders state land, private land and a private co-ops land. The State is the best neighbor of them all. The private landowner is the worst. So if you asked me I would take the state as a neighbor before an individual or a family.