Hi folks...we live in Massachusetts, western mass, where it is still fairly rural. Have a nice place all paid for, almost 200 acres, house is not fancy but is solid...all in all a pretty darn nice place to be.....but.
But, to be honest, I hate Massachusetts, I hate being here, don't love the winters all that much, my soil is a combination or clay and rocks, and usually wet...and I don't have enough barns...and most of all I don't love the $8000 per year in property taxes I need to pay to live in a place I already own....I also worry that where I am is not going to stay rural much longer. Its growing pretty fast around here.
Anyway, I am thinking about relocating and am looking for suggestions on where. I'd like to find someplace with most of the following characteristics:
1. Decent soil for crops and pastures.
2. Moderate temps. I don't mind (and actually prefer) some winter, I just don't need 6 months of snow per year if you know what I mean...
3. LOW TAXES. This is key for me.
4. Decent schools. They don't need to be top-notch, but at least good. (I guess LOW TAXES and Excellent schools would be asking too much).
5. Cheaper property. I don't want to buy a house/farm for the same as what I sell my place. I'd like to have some cash leftover. Someplace where I can get a decent house, barns/sheds, 30-200 acres for $200-$300. I don't mind fixing something up.
6. Must be rural, and more likely to stay that way.
7. East coast states; not sure I am ready to move across the country completely...
Have considered Vermont, but taxes are pretty high up there and the winters are about the same; but it is more rural and I like that.
Also have a friend trying to talk us into Virginia. What areas would be good? How are the schools? Will people from Virginia hate people from Massachusetts?
Also considered upstate New York, which is pretty rural and pretty, but I just can't stand the thought of having New York license plates (probably the same way vermonters feel about Mass plates!).
Thanks in advance for any suggestions!
But, to be honest, I hate Massachusetts, I hate being here, don't love the winters all that much, my soil is a combination or clay and rocks, and usually wet...and I don't have enough barns...and most of all I don't love the $8000 per year in property taxes I need to pay to live in a place I already own....I also worry that where I am is not going to stay rural much longer. Its growing pretty fast around here.
Anyway, I am thinking about relocating and am looking for suggestions on where. I'd like to find someplace with most of the following characteristics:
1. Decent soil for crops and pastures.
2. Moderate temps. I don't mind (and actually prefer) some winter, I just don't need 6 months of snow per year if you know what I mean...
3. LOW TAXES. This is key for me.
4. Decent schools. They don't need to be top-notch, but at least good. (I guess LOW TAXES and Excellent schools would be asking too much).
5. Cheaper property. I don't want to buy a house/farm for the same as what I sell my place. I'd like to have some cash leftover. Someplace where I can get a decent house, barns/sheds, 30-200 acres for $200-$300. I don't mind fixing something up.
6. Must be rural, and more likely to stay that way.
7. East coast states; not sure I am ready to move across the country completely...
Have considered Vermont, but taxes are pretty high up there and the winters are about the same; but it is more rural and I like that.
Also have a friend trying to talk us into Virginia. What areas would be good? How are the schools? Will people from Virginia hate people from Massachusetts?
Also considered upstate New York, which is pretty rural and pretty, but I just can't stand the thought of having New York license plates (probably the same way vermonters feel about Mass plates!).
Thanks in advance for any suggestions!