A few questions about homesteading

Wow I hope we are luck enough to move to a place like that! You're right, getting a job and also renting a place seems to be the best. I'm just concerned about storing our things before we can find a homestead because we'll be moving such a big distance.

I hope you wife isn't gone for too long.

I don't know that I agree that if you move to a rural area and you are not from there that people will shun you and drive you out. That was certainly not my experience at all. I'm sure there may be areas like that - but not all of them are.

My experience was very much the opposite once people learned that I did not intend to subdivide the property and I did not have intentions of trying to bring in rules and regulations that were contrary to the way of life there. There was a noticeable sigh of relief when I voiced opinions otherwise.

Once they knew I was there for the same reasons they were I was welcomed with open arms. I put up a big indoor riding arena (I was training horses for people) and when nearby farmers were scrambling to get hay in before the rain they would call me. "Can I pop some hay wagons in your shed?" We pitched in and helped each other whenever it was needed. They helped me so, so much when I was learning the ins and outs of keeping a tractor running, putting in fencing, straightening an old shed that had developed a lean. I brought produce from my garden to the elders who couldn't garden for themselves anymore. Their children would bring over some steaks when they butchered. I had a particularly good cow horse and if someone's cows got out it wasn't uncommon to ask if he could be borrowed or if I would help.

I remember when I first moved there. My car broke down coming home from the grocery store. An elderly man stopped and helped me out AND followed me home to make sure I got there okay.

IF you come out here looking like a farmer or rancher, people will soon enough treat you like one, as you progress towards your chosen lifestyle. IF you come out here looking like Sam Suburbia and think that if the locals don't like it they can kiss it, The opposite will happen. DONT be a beginning borrower. I try to help out people who are trying to help themselves but I don't do a thing for folks who just come out here to extend their idea of the burbs out here. IF after a few months, and you don't have a tractor, and you want me to do something with one of mine. I may or may not do it depending on my take of how your achieving the dream. IF you don't have one after a year, and need one. Forget it. Same way with implements. Tools, same.

I'd say West Virginny or Tennysee would be the place to be. Kentucky? No way! Most folks I know of here think of Californy as the land of fruits and nuts. Well, maybe a little sprinkle of Kardashians thrown in to the mash. Bout the only thing they'd want would be almonds, maybe oarnges, but that'd be bout it. Don't mean for it to sound too harsh, but most folks here abouts just don't take to fourinners, and to them that's Californy folks would be, flat out fourinners. If you was to stick to West Virginny or Tennysee you be more likely to find other demmycrats what you could connect with. I figger you'd be more happy livin in one of them states, and just come on through Kentucky when you's wanting to buy stuff and spend money.

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~Only the rocks live forever~

Wren - we're east-central MS. Our "big town" is Meridian. I do like TN.

I suspect the reason the transferee with the wife in the military is so readily accepted is because ... his wife is in the military. We tend to be proudly patriotic in these rural parts.

I'm not trying to make it sound miserable, I'm just saying go in with your eyes open. This isn't like the movies or magazines.

My husband and I are both in electronics and jobs outside of the coasts (CA, NE - like MA, and TX) are very difficult to find, depending on your skills. We moved to MS because my husband took a job with a military contractor. While lots of people around here know people who work for the same military contractor, we're the only ones they know who moved here voluntarily (no, we weren't transferred). What they don't realize is that (1) a lot more people are headed this way to work with the same firm and (2) the ones that are coming from less rural areas are opting to live in a more urbanized part of the state and suffer the long commute (those of us from CA are used to 1-hr+ commutes, right?)

Since we're an oddity in town, it has been hinted that some suspect that we are in a witness protection program. I find this funny. Obviously, if it was true, I wouldn't be posting about it but that is one of the rumors about us.

Lastly, I will point out ... there ARE rural areas of CA, MA and TX (okay, AZ too) ... you just have to work a little harder at developing that lifestyle. There are trade offs to everything. As one of my friends pointed out after she escaped from CA, "You know, you can bring all the stuff you tried to leave right along with you ... if you're not careful."

Examine carefully why you want to move. Create your ideal lifestyle in your mind and on paper - separately from your wife and then together when you compare notes - and work to make that your lifestyle NOW bit by bit. If you want to simplify, you can simplify in the middle of NYC if you want. If you want to be debt-free, it is easier to do that when you have a job that pays CA wages (even with CA prices), than it is when you're also burdened with the expenses of moving across country.

Not to threadjack---much!---but can someone 'splain to me the difference between small-scale farming and homesteading?

Thanks.

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I came for the cat's-eye and stayed for the Tightwad!

The word "homesteading" has none of the original definition left. We are no longer claiming a tract of land for our own, settling and staying. It is now a very loose, general word that means raising your own food and being as self sufficient as possible.

The word "farming" has always *generally* meant that you are raising a crop or crops of food of some sort with the intent on selling when butchered, harvested, etc. to make some kind of living, whether part time or full.

The phrase "small-scale farming" *generally* means you are doing something on a much smaller scale than a full time commercial outfit, but still trying to provide some significant income. This is also usually (but not always) some sort of specialty crop like, say, organic hard necked garlic. Something the big boys wouldn't bother with (or couldn't on their level) but is doable in a small acreage situation.

There are no specific, hard and fast definitions for either one. HTH

Hi Tom,

My wife's from LA, and I grew up in San Jose, so I have some idea where you are coming from.

Have a couple of recommendations for you. First, unless you really want 4 seasons with snow, you may want to look further south than KY,TN, WV. California is not a 4 season state, except in the mountains, due to the ocean current evening out the seasons. Even here in Augusta GA (great area, by the way) we have 4 distinct seasons (even if it rarely snows in winter)

Second, I agree with you idea to support yourself with a job "off farm" especially while you get started. With that in mind, my second suggestion is find the job first. That will dictate where you go.

Last, suggestion, add norther Georgia and South Carolina to your list of possible locations. My "perfect" region extends as far north as northern TN, North carolina, and as far south as the norther half of Georgia and South Carolina. East to the coast and west to about Memphis TN. I love this area.

Best wishes,

I moved to ky in the spring of 76. I found the local folks here to be very helpful and friendly. Yes some were bit clannish too but overall i found it a mighty fine place to raise a family. Two things seemed to be required to get along.... do what you say you will do, even if it costs you today... it will make life much easier later on, and pay your bills on time. Another tip... ask fer help or advice when you need it. Folks here are happy to help but are slow to tell the next feller how to run their business. They have had some rather unpleasant experience in the past from outsiders trying to tell them how to do things.

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"Nothing so needs reforming as other peoples habits." Mark Twain

Shunned, driven out? I've lived in two rural areas in different parts of the country and found people were very welcoming.
Personally I thinks its your attitude and actions that does it more than anything.

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Apocalyptic and Survival Fiction - Readers and writers welcome

Thanks! We did actually have South Carolina on the list but my wife worried about hurricanes on the coast. We decided on further north because we prefer colder winters versus higher humidity. I've been looking at Knoxville, TN more and it seems to be a good fit for us. Thanks for the info!

Thanks I'll try asking for help and advice. I've always been the kind of person who learns on their own and not asked for assistance but I'll change!

I appreciate your advice, i prefer not to have it sugar-coated. I'll head up to Oddville sometime and spend some money there!

I have to say that one of our experiences in a small rural area was much like mentioned earlier. We were outsiders. The poor lady who lived across the road had moved to the area 25 years earlier when she married her husband. She was still called an outsider. When I went to visit the high school and get my kids signed up for classes, the principle said, "Oh, an outsider. You folks always come bringing all your baggage." I was stunned.

That has not been the case in this move, however. We have been welcomed everywhere we go. We love our neighbors. In the recent ice storm, we were so busy helping our daughter and family with trees down, that we just did not have time to repair our fences. Our neighbor saw my husband on the back of our property and said, "Don't bother with that oak. My son and I are going to get it on the ground for you. We repaired your fence where we got the other tree off." This is such a contrast to where we lived previously in the SAME state!

I think it depends on the people wherever you go. It also depends on you and your attitude and choices.

Like Tracy, I thought I would have trouble being at home, but I love it. DH works and I take care of the critters and the garden. He does the grunt work. I love where we are now, but would have hated staying in the first place we moved. The people make all the difference.

Happy hunting!!!!!

I've lived in tornado alley for 50 years and haven't had a tornado within 10 miles of me. Did you know that all 50 states have a history of tornadoes. Even Alaska!

I would love to live in the S.E. O.K. mountains! ...BUT O.K. has a state income tax. Texas doesn't.

I agree with those who say get a job there first, rent, then look for land.

I'm from England (Lancashire). Lived 10 years in northern new New Hampshire ( 80% of the town was French Canadian), 4 years in Washington State, 8 years in south east North Carolina and 8 years here in south west Virginia. Oh and 1 year in Korea. -Cried when I had to leave. Never been shunned or driven out. Country people are the salt of the earth - red necks especially. At least that's been my experience.

Take a look at the area around Roanoke and Blacksburg. Beautiful countryside and an eclectic mix of people due to Virginia Tech.

Good luck in your search.

Pauline

You're definitely going to want more than two acres for a homestead... Trust me, get a few animals and when you want to expand even a little, two acres will feel like a prison.

Don't go to WV... no offense WV people.

Also don't come to the Carolinas. We have the nicest people, the best BBQ (in South Carolina) and the best farmland. The weather is as close to your area as you'll find but we have enough life tourists here already.

I think it depends on what you intend to do. We did pretty well on 3.5 acres - decent sized garden, chickens, few sheep, few goats. However - most of the inputs had to be bought, which gets real expensive.

Now on 10 acres the sheep can graze for at least 8-9 months (birth to freezer camp, LOL) ditto the goats. If we only had the garden and chickens the 3.5 acres would suffice. Even a couple of sheep would have been OK - they would have grazed for a good while and needed feed from about Oct to March. Doable.

I would say decide what your intentions are BEFORE you buy. It is better to buy too much than to get everything as you like it and the realize that you need more property - which is what happened to us.

Mary

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We're selling our home and property in Rome, GA. It is one hour away from Atlanta, Chattanooga and Birmingham so there are plenty of work opportunities. It is a suburban home with a half acre and I've described it well in the real estate forum. This would be an intermediate step for you if you have not farmed yet. That might be a good step up for a few years. You will not have the time to give completely to homesteading if you are working full time out of town. This has worked for us for 6 years and enabled us to finally get more land with the experience and friendships we have made here.