Story Time Thursday

Currently, we’re looking into different areas where it might be best to start a homestead. While we haven’t purchased anything yet, we’ve decided on the general area that would suit us best: the southern Midwest or northern South.

We decided on this area for multiple factors. Climate was one of the most important things to us. If you’re determined and can adapt, you can homestead in almost any climate, but some climates are definitely easier than others. Too much heat like in the southwestern desert prevents a lot of plants from growing in the summer (unless a lot of effort is put into keeping them alive). However, we also didn’t want to deal with long winters with a lot of snow. As a general rule, the soil also tends to be more fertile and better for plants in the Midwest (there’s a reason most of the land there is farmland, after all).

Another factor was access to fresh water. The southwestern states are predicted to have a lot of water shortage issues in the coming years. Many home sites have to have water hauled to the property, which is not a great option for saving money or those who homestead to be more independent. Having a water source on the property or a high water table so a well does not need to be dug particularly deep is important to us.

Political climate, particularly taxes, was also high on the list. Since saving money is part of our reason for wanting to homestead, it just makes sense to look at states with relatively low tax rates and fewer regulations when it comes to what we do and don’t need a permit to do on our land.

The last factor in our top 4 was price. Property prices and mortgage payments tend to vary significantly from state to state. Some states and areas within states offer good land for a very reasonable price, even in the current economy. In other states, buying almost any property is outrageously expensive.

Here’s some factors you may want to consider when deciding where to homestead.

• Climate - temperature, seasons, weather

• Water availability - rainfall, wells, natural springs, proximity to rivers or lakes

• Cost - not just the cost of the land, but any modifications needed to make the land suitable for the type of homesteading you want

• Local government - tax rates, required permits, regulations, and laws

• Location - Do you want to live near a city, small town, or way out in the country? If you want to live near a city, check out the crime rate and that it offers what you’re looking for.

• Friends & Family - While we all need to choose what’s best for us, staying close to current friends and family can be the most factor for some. It’s also important to see how welcoming the community you would be moving into is. Obviously no one wants to move to an area where they would be considered an unwelcome outsider.

Thanks for reading!

Faith Smith