Location Question

Yeah, the nextgen version of the droid does... this one does not.

I could probably root it and do something (I've heard rumblings about it) but I don't want to go through all that.

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I would only pick CO/NM if I had a place with flowing water and elevation to make a nice hydro generator...

Why folks prefer the cold winters over a nice 270 day growing season and 35-40" of rain you get a bit farther south and east baffles me.

Surviving the winter is only an exercise in buying the right equipment. Could you plow your own drive? Will your house have more than one souce of heat? Do you have the means to live with out elec? (as far as from the company).

Of the 3 places, Logan UT would be my pick. It's an agricultural area. Agriculturally- minded folks are usually of a different mind-set that those of yuppy-villes. It's also less mountainous compared to the other two. There are mountains, but they are more rolling and grass-covered than sheer and inaccessible.

I always recommend people check out a book by Les Scher called How to Find and Buy Your Place in the Country. While not necessarily aimed at finding good survival property, it is a good guide for anybody looking to buy rural property. When considering rural areas for survival, access to water was one of my important criteria, so that pretty much ruled out anywhere west of the Mississippi(when taken with the other criteria I chose).

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"I don't want everyone to like me; I should think less of myself if some people did."
— Henry James

Why would it rule out anything west of the mississippi?

Just the internet issue. My neighbor on the left can only to use Huges net.Neighbor on the right can only get her Net from the west which is bounced off a water tower in the small town near here. I can only get Internet from the east 10 miles away. Course we all can get dial up, but it's way too slow. Point is, Hills Trees ect. can make for so many variables, all of my neighbors are in sight.

Generally speaking, most of the land west of the Mississippi gets less rainfall and has less surface water than areas east of it. When you factor in all of the people already living in those states who depend on that water, things could get worse in bad times. The water is also important for growing crops. Any place which depends on irrigation(which depends on power) for growing crops might be worth avoiding for survival purposes.

Actually, I am west of the Mississippi River here in the Ozarks, too. That's why I said "pretty much ruled out anything west of the Mississippi". There are a few areas west of the Mississippi in which water isn't such a problem, but in most of them the population density was a problem for me.

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"I don't want everyone to like me; I should think less of myself if some people did."
— Henry James

Ok, can't blame ya. I would choose the Ozarks or Smokies if I closeness to extended family wasn't a top concern for me. Plenty of water for me in Central Texas though at about 37 inches a year, I may build an acre lake to be safe. Population density is pretty high though.

There are also a lot of places out west where even if there is water, you can't use it as the rights were sold off long ago.

What do you mean about making it thru the winter?

I am from Northern New Mexico (Chama). I no longer live there, but can give you some insight. Chama is at an elevation of 8,000 ft - I believe about the same as Eagles Nest. To drill for a well, you may have to go near 200 feet - quite a costly venture.

It is the most beautiful place in the world, IMO. But winters can be WICKED! We got nearly 300 inches of snow a year - Eagles nest is comparable I believe.

This area is not always keen on newcomers, especially the more remote you go, and the lighter your skin color. I hate to say that, being a native New Mexican, but it is true. This is something to consider especially if you have children, school aged. I would not let it deter me totally, I loved living there, but it is something to consider.

I miss New Mexico, (live in PA now). It was a wonderful place to grow up and live. But there is much to consider.

Good luck! I also agree with looking for a rental or something for a year or so to be sure. Real estate can be hard to sell right now, so if you bought something, it may be hard to turn around if you change your mind.

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Sarabeth

"Time is not money - time is life. And what controls your time - controls your life." Wind in Her Hair

Just for fun you might want to answer the questionnaire in the following link. It might give you food for thought.

http://www.findyourspot.com/

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"Luck is the residue of design" - Branch Rickey

Interesting, 5-6 of the 20 it recommended are within about 50-60 mile radius of where I bought land..

Just a little insight on Angel Fire, NM. I lived there many years ago and worked security for a ski resort. I am sure it has changed some, but it is a tourist town with lots of out-of-town yuppies and seasonal workers there during the winter. Cost of living was very high (food, gasoline, rent, etc.), home prices were outrageous unless you wanted to live in a trailer house and land was fairly expensive. Lots of snow in the winter. It was not unusual for the road to Eagle Nest and / or the road to Taos to get blocked by snow / snow drifts. We would drive to Taos (approx. 25? miles) every couple of weeks to go shopping for supplies, groceries and gas, because the prices were so much cheaper. Also, if you are not hooked up to the town's water system then you will need a deep well. My well water smelled like sulfur and tasted horrible. I had to get water in town to drink, but used the well water for bathing and washing clothes. The area is very scenic and beautiful though.