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11 Feb ’16
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Hi,
My name is Bill and I'm looking to become a homesteader. I have been doing research on the lifestyle for some time now and I've always dreamed of living this way. I've grown up on television shows like Bonanza and Little House on the Prairie. In my heart I've been romanticizing the idea, but in my head, I know that it will be hard and take a lot of hard work. I'd like to believe that I will be able to do what needs to be done.
My dream is to own 20-100 acres of land in a nice rural area that has trees, mountains or hills, and a river running through it or a pond or lake access. I want to live in an area that is warm throughout the year and has good land for farming. I want to find somewhere that has low to no building codes so that I can build my own place.
Once I purchase the land, I'd like to move onto it in a trailer and then build a tiny house and start a large garden/small farm. Then I want to set up a well and solar power, maybe some wind... I'd also like to build a chicken coop, get some chickens and and start breeding them for meat and eggs, maybe rabbits too. Once I get the house done, I'm going to build a barn and workshop and then get some goats and lamb. If I don't have a pond, I'd like to dig one and then stock it with fish...
Eventually as I get all this up and running, I'd like to open up a small farm stand and restaurant where I can utilize the food I grow/raise. I also know that I will need more people to do work than just myself.
I want to do this because I don't like the way society is heading and I want to move away from people and become self sufficient and form my own community. I am hoping to get friends and family to join me as well as make new friends. I would be willing to let a few good people come live with me on my land as long as they're willing to do work and help out. I'd like to expand as people join the community.
But first off I need to find good land that is in a warm, open area that is good for farming. Where can I buy a bunch cheap, arable land that has no, or very lax building codes. I would like to initially have access to water, septic and electric, but it is not a priority. I will eventually drill my own well and I will set up my own off grid electric using solar and wind power.
I have been told that Texas is a good place to buy lots of land and there are no building codes. I just don't think of Texas as a very open minded place. I'm personally not gay, not racist, nor am I very liberal or religious, but I am open minded and non-judgemental.
If anyone can tell me about any places that match the following criteria, I would really appreciate it. Also, if you have a lot of land and would be interested in selling land to a future homesteader who would be a good, respectful and helpful neighbor, let me know.
Here's what I'm looking for:
Price $5-10,000
Acres 20-100
Climate zone: 3-4 (prefer closer to 3)
Building Codes: low - none
Arable land
Water feature pond, lake/river access
Mountains/hills
Trees
Thank you,
Bill
15 Feb ’12
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welcome @wmaxwell , that sounds like quite a project.
This might be worth a read for you.
http://thehomesteadi.....fficiency/
I think your price level is way too low, I just did a search on landwatch which ties into the mls for all of the us from 11-50 acres and from 0-$51,999.
http://www.landwatch.....&pg=1
it should be listed from lowest to highest so you are going to have to sift through the auctions and ads that list per acre price, just click a state on the map to the left if you want to scan through a specific state's listings.
Have you ever run a restaurant before? That is going to be a major challenge in itself for not only operations but there will definitely be strict codes when it comes to serving the public. Not trying to dissuade you, just being honest since I've owned a restaurant for the last 10 years.
What part of the country are you thinking of besides Texas?
6 Oct ’15
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Welcome to the forum.
Looking for land can be fun or frustrating. It might help to take your list and prioritize the 'must' haves vs the 'like' to haves. I know in my experience, and other people I know, that it's very hard to find all the things we want in one property for a price we can afford.
A friend of mine got a good deal on 30 some acres of land a while back, it had a spring on it that was a top priority and it had a mix of woods and cleared land...it didn't have good farming soil and he has had to build up the soil with tons or mulch/manure/compost every year, it also had a very poor quality dirt road for access (he thought he could correct the mud/drainage/erosion issues pretty easy-nope-and very expensive), he also thought he could get the power line extended from his neighbors land over the back side of the property (neighbor wouldn't agree to it)...So he had some wins and losses...some things worked out and other things he was totally wrong about...but he has done pretty well and he is happy...but you know, it's all about compromise and the amount in the check book.
Let us know if you we can share some advice.
11 Feb ’16
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Thanks KVR and Gravel Road. I appreciate you pointing me in the direction of Landwatch. I've seen it, but didn't know it was linked to the MLS. As far as location, and narrowing down my "must haves"I would be looking mostly for somewhere that has a mild winter climate, is arable and doesn't have strict building codes. I thought that there might be some cheaper land available, but I would be willing to go up to $1,000 an acre. I would prefer to find something with owner financing because I'd rather pay an individual as opposed to a bank.
I'd really like to buy from a homesteader who is looking to downsize/retire, someone I could possibly learn from and help because I believe in learning from experienced elders and passing knowledge. Plus, if I can start out buying say 10 acres from someone now, I would be willing to buy more land later on as they downsize further and possibly buy them out in the future.
I am currently located in northern Illinois, in the suburbs of Chicago. I hate the winters here, and want to move somewhere that only gets the occasional dusting and might only occasionally get kissed by temperatures that dip below freezing.
As far as running a restaurant goes, I have worked in a few, but never ran one. And thinking more on the subject, I'm actually picturing running a Bed and Breakfast rather than a restaurant. I want to do something more intimate where I can utilize my cooking skills along with my gardening skills without having to dedicate myself fully to a restaurant. I want to create meals to share with a few.
I'm grateful for your pointing out the possible problems with a restaurant. I was picturing cooking with my own produce and animal products, but when you started talking about restaurants, when I took a look at the picture in my head, it didn't include waiting on tables, soda fountains, or cash registers. It was a couple tables, one big shared meal and relaxed conversation. I just know that I want to cook with my own homemade, plus local artisinal ingredients/products. Does that sound more manageable?
But my first job is to find a place to settle down. Thanks for pointing me to Landwatch. Are there other homesteading sites you would recommend that I check out? I know I can Google them, but then I'd have to sift through every one of them to find the best. I'd like to find out which are considered the best by people who know more than I do. I like to utilize the knowledge and wisdom of those who have come before me.
Thanks,
Bill
6 Oct ’15
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Hey Bill....you said a BNB...here is a link to check out...it's quite a place and very eco minded...they started with very little and really built up a operation that provides for them. They defiantly did some alternative building and up-cycling. You could get yourself set up then add one place at a time...check it out.
The following users say thank you to Gravel Road for this useful post:
K11 Feb ’16
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Thanks GR, that sounds almost exactly like what I would like to do. I also just came across this show on YouTube called "Gourmet Farmer Matthew Evans" . It's about a food reviewer/chef who became a homesteader to basically do farm to table. In this episode https://m.youtube.com/?#/watch?v=Xhb4xoWQlO8, he and a couple friends decide to rent a building and have a group luncheon making locally sourced dishes. He sells about 60 tickets @ $50 each for an 8 course meal. It is a shared table and sort of family style. This sort of appeals to me as well, but I'm not going to be doing 8 courses or wagu beef at $50 a head. This would be a different thing from the BnB.
Bill
6 Oct ’15
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One of the ideas in the back of our heads was to maybe build several small places around the farm...places that are alternative: strawbale, cordwood, etc...and rent them out for that 'roughing it' experience...not sure we will go that way, but I think the idea can work for some weekend income...just small one room type places.
11 Feb ’16
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GR - where are you located? I would be interested in something like that. If a homesteader set up a situation where I could come stay for a week or so and learn/observe what goes on on a daily basis as well as pitch in and help. Be able to observe what you do and get the opportunity to jump in and learn hands on, for example, maybe if you're milking a cow, you could show how it's done and I could step in and give it a shot. There are lots of things I'd like to try. Of course you couldn't make it mandatory because some of the guests won't want to do some things. One person might just want to eat the fried chicken, whilst I would love to learn how to clean and prepare them from scratch because one day I'd like to be able to do it myself. Maybe the rates would differ depending on how much work the guest is willing to do... That's the kind of BnB I'd like to do.
Bill
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