| T O P I C R E V I E W |
| Aunt George |
Posted - Apr 19 2007 : 03:27:12 AM
My husband and I are very serious about moving. We want to get out from underneath the financial burden of the huge house we have and we want to move to a small town in Anywhere USA. We currently live below the Mason-Dixon line and would like to move above it. No prejudice against the south....my hubby was born here and so were my daughters. I am from Illinois. I have always missed the Mid-West. Been living south since 1988. (I can't stand the summer humidity....90% and above without it really raining....argh) Our youngest daughter suffers from severe pollen allergies every spring and fall. (I know one can't get away from these things completely)
Ideally we would love to find a small Hobby Farm of 5 to 20 acres where we will not be on top of our neighbors. The area must have a river running through it, or a nice fishing lake. Also there must be a nice growing season.....hubby loves to grow tomatoes, and unfortunately the homeowners association where we live won't let us grow tomatoes or have chickens on our three acres!! (Get the picture???!!! LOL)
We have been looking at Missouri, West Virginia, Finger Lakes Region. It seems the taxes in NY are prohibitive though. We don't want to afford 6000/year. But my hubby would like a middle size town within a couple of hours of driving....he does need to get a CompUSA type of fix every couple of months.
Any suggestions? We plan on driving to WV next weekend to look around a bit. We live in VA, but finding that little hobby farm here has become impossible. Developers have bought up everything within a three county radius of Richmond and are planting $500,000 cookie cutter homes on postage stamp size lots. We are no longer chasing that "American Dream." Hubby also wants to leave VA.
This is not a mid-life crisis kind of thing. We still have many good work years left (well we hope anyway.) and want to find a place to work towards retirement away from the upwardly grasping mindset. We fear if we wait too long, all of the small places will be snapped up by developers. We are having a re-genesis of sorts of our lives.
Is this just a pipe dream? Does anyone else have this desire. Is this becoming a passion of many persons our age? (38-49) Any suggestions at all will be appreciated and I will research each area suggested!! Oh, we also have 2 young daughters and I am considering homeschooling them starting with the next school year.
Thanks in advance!!
G
http://auntgeorgeshouse.blogspot.com/index.html
Thanks for checking out my apron and sewing musings! |
| 24 L A T E S T R E P L I E S (Newest First) |
| Aunt George |
Posted - Apr 19 2007 : 6:59:48 PM
I have really been enjoying all of the comments. I am making a list and will start researching. We have been strongly eyeing the Northwest, SouthEastern Missouri and possibly Illinois, Maine or PA. Gosh, that doesn't narrow it down very well. LOL...oh yes and WV. Oh, and Birdie, thanks for the WV tip on weather and asthma. Our youngest has seasonally induced asthma, but it seems to be getting worse every Spring. She is easing a bit now though. I just love and appreciate so much the time everyone is taking on sending websites and the time that it takes to share all of the great information! Oh, and Jayne...I really hope you get your little homestead and homeschool started too!! I will try and comment on all of the responses....but I promise that I have been checking each website sent!!
More tomorrow.....hugs and great big thank yous!!
Georgann
http://auntgeorgeshouse.blogspot.com/index.html
Thanks for checking out my apron and sewing musings! |
| mima |
Posted - Apr 19 2007 : 6:45:10 PM
How used to being cold are all you? I know this is an idiotic question but one of my biggest fears in relocating is being cold!!! Also I've heard there are some states that you only see the sun 3 months out of the year! Any CA. transplants-did you have a rough adjusttment? I don' t even own real shoes! Flip flops,all year round- except for my running shoes! |
| daffodil dreamer |
Posted - Apr 19 2007 : 6:32:04 PM
Hi Georgann,
I obviously can't say anything about areas! But I absolutely agree with the desire to do it. It sounds like you and I (and lots of others) are on the exact same page at the moment.
Hopefully, I will have my small farm within the year. Hubby is asking for a transfer back to our home state. I have been reading heaps about homeschooling and it makes so much sense to me. I have so many concerns about pulling the girls out of school (I'm sure it would have been much easier to start from the beginning and I wish I had been brave enough then), but everything I have read seems to say that it will work out in the end.
I will so look forward to hearing how your search for the farm goes and your schooling. Is your new school year after summer holidays, so in August or so? Of course, our school year starts in January/February after our summer holidays. That isn't very far away. Would you start homeschooling where you are now, if you haven't moved by then?
I wish you all the very best - maybe soon we can chat about our farms and homeschooling!
Jayne
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| gregs_lil_farmgirl |
Posted - Apr 19 2007 : 5:47:23 PM
I agree with Amanda in the extreme of homeowners assoc. I grew up in northern VA,.....moved from WV to Maine. I left WV because of the weather you described in VA. I did get away from most of it here in Maine. I am very asthmatic and making the move saved my lungs, I am certain. It doesnt have the growing season that you are used to, I do miss it, and it is a bit extreme change for most. I agree with central PA. I did some research and it has most of the things you want including 4 seasons and nice rural areas. Good luck! You might just have to move West, girl!!!
-Simple pleasures make my heart smile-
www.fouracrefarmgirl.blogspot.com |
| Kim |
Posted - Apr 19 2007 : 4:41:06 PM
I'd love to have you in Illinois though, Georgann!
Blessed Be!
farmgirl@heart
"Go confidently in the directions of your dreams; live the life you've imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler." - Henry David Thoreau
http://chevy49girl.livejournal.com/
http://midwestmusings-kim.blogspot.com/
http://chevy49girl.deviantart.com/ |
| Kim |
Posted - Apr 19 2007 : 4:40:01 PM
Oooh, Idaho would be another place I'd like to go! But my job opportunities with the company I work for are limited in the states I can choose. I love the compnay I work for so I don't want to leave it.
It is so true about the farmland in Illinois being eaten up. Farms being sold, acreage being bought by "Mr Conglomerate" Really, how many people need all these extra 1/2 million dollar homes? Then they go up for sale again in a year or two. They've either over extented themselves or they don't like the drive/noise/smelss of the country.*sigh*
Blessed Be!
farmgirl@heart
"Go confidently in the directions of your dreams; live the life you've imagined. As you simplify your life, the laws of the universe will be simpler." - Henry David Thoreau
http://chevy49girl.livejournal.com/
http://midwestmusings-kim.blogspot.com/
http://chevy49girl.deviantart.com/ |
| Huckelberrywine |
Posted - Apr 19 2007 : 4:27:16 PM
How many farmgirls will it take to get you over here in the Palouse? I'd love to tell you all about it. Look at Whitman County in Washington. Lakes to fish in (I'll share our secret one when you get here), land that will grow nearly anything, land of any parcel size you want, Norman Rockwell towns with access to Opera, CompUSA, National Blue Ribbon Award winning schools, other homeschoolers, fresh air, good hunting, 4 seasons, great neighbors (MJ is here...). And it can be had reasonably priced.
By the way, I hope you realize how much all of us would love to have you as a neighbor. :) I hope you find the just-right-for-you place and love it for ever. :) Best wishes. (Whitman County, WA)
We make a difference. |
| abbasgurl |
Posted - Apr 19 2007 : 4:15:14 PM
Georgann,
Any reason not to come back to IL? I personally love central IL...Large towns like Bloomington/Normal and Champaign/Urbana have all the amenities your hubby wants, but there are many smaller farm communities nearby. There is a substantial Amish community in central IL, which brings with it lots of festivals & other cultural events.
This area is one of my favorite places to go for a weekend, very bucolic scenery, while still having things of interest to see.
Southern IN is also very beautiful. Hilly, wooded... Im not sure about land prices or taxes, but the scenery is breathtaking. 
I have lived in the same area my entire life and would consider a move if I didn't have family nearby. I do think being near loved ones is an important consideration. Good luck with your search Georgann!
Rhonda
I'm a one girl revolution. |
| kitchensqueen |
Posted - Apr 19 2007 : 2:38:02 PM
quote:
Originally posted by Aunt George the homeowners association where we live won't let us grow tomatoes or have chickens on our three acres!!
Is this just a pipe dream? Does anyone else have this desire. Is this becoming a passion of many persons our age? (38-49
I just noticed this thread and wanted to chime in on two things. I'm shocked that you're not allowed to have chickens and tomatoes on three acres of land that you own. I know the objective of most home owner's associations is to make sure that all properties meet a certain standard of beautification and neighborhood responsibility, but who's going to notice a couple of tomato plants, or a few hens when there are three acress between you and the next guy? And who says those things are ugly/disturbing? That just seems a little extreme.
Also, I don't think it's a pipe dream at all to want to get away from all that. My husband and I aren't in the same age group as you (we're in the 20-30 generation) but we're definitely noticing another back-to-the-land movement taking hold again. And I think that's a good thing. I think a lot people are starting to recognize that quality can be more important and satisfying than quantity, and trying their shift their lives to incorporate that.
I would suggest Wisconsin as a state you should investigate. Land prices are still reasonable, even in a 2-hour radius of a major city and it's really family farm friendly. We're looking at Wisconsin for our place. Upstate Illinois is pretty much off-limits, unless you have several million dollars. Farmland is getting eaten up by the second by development in northern Illinois. Land prices in southern Illinois are more reasonable, but still not as affordable as Wisconsin.
At any rate, I hope you find what you're looking for! :-)
http://apartmentfarm.wordpress.com
Now Open!: http://shadetreestudios.etsy.com |
| Lavender Cottage |
Posted - Apr 19 2007 : 1:10:28 PM
Hi Georgann, I see you have many good suggestions and I just wanted to add that it doesn't sound like a pipe dream at all. We have been able to live on nearly 20 acres with an easy 20 minute drive to corporate jobs here in Southwest Michigan (Saint Joseph is where our jobs are-a very nice uncongested lakeside city-no traffic jams) for a number of years and now are ready to move to NC to follow our current dreams of an even simplier life also in the country on 7 acres but not far (20 to 40 minutes) to small uncongested cities/towns. We're in our mid-40's!
Good luck in your search-your perfect country place is out there!
All the Best! :)
Ellen |
| Meg |
Posted - Apr 19 2007 : 1:03:01 PM
Aunt George~ The Northwest is beautiful. I third Alee and Cheryl's comments. Beautiful four seasons. Mountains, lakes, rivers, farmland...and still affordable. How wonderful to be ready to go anywhere! We also lived in Kansas for a year and I loved it. I preferred the more humid air but still four seasons. And everyone was so personable. Oh, do keep us posted, so many good suggestions already.
MaryJane's daughter,
Meg
megan@maryjanesfarm.org |
| junebug |
Posted - Apr 19 2007 : 12:34:07 PM
I vote for Missouri too!! Land is cheap, pretty, low taxes and you can grow anything, esp. tomatoes!! No one will tell me I can't grow tomatoes on my own land! The people here are one of the best reasons to live here, so friendly, caring and simple. The Ozarks is one of the prettiest places on earth! I love WV too, got a son that lives there but prices are higher there then here? Good luck and keep us posted! Here's a link to check out: www.onlineoml.com
Visit me at my blogs:
www.countrypleasures.blogspot.com
www.herbalfarmstead.blogspot.com
www.photo-per-day.blogspot.com
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| highlandgirl |
Posted - Apr 19 2007 : 12:22:56 PM
Hello Aunt George, I can see that you are getting lots of good input. I'm going to follow up on Alee's suggestion to come West. I've lived in Illinois and West Virginia. My family still resides in Ohio, all beautiful places, but still humid in the summers. I've lived in Washington for thirty years and the east side is great. Some snow in the winters, warm summers but no humidity, and land prices haven't gone through the roof yet.
Good luck on your search. This country has so many options.
Cheryl |
| lamamama |
Posted - Apr 19 2007 : 10:58:53 AM
Georgann, I have been doing a very similar search for over 18 months now. It's a lot harder than it would first appear, isn't it?!? (And as a single Mom, it sometimes seems impossible.)
From what I have learned, the main obstacles are rising prices due to our national horror of land development, & trying to accomodate one's job with small town or rural living. (Given the lifestyle issues, & the escalating price of gas, commuting isn't an option for me.) Also, if you have children - as I do - the school situation becomes another potential problem. And if - as again, I do - you have children with real talents (music, art, sports,etc) that need to be developed appropriately, that tends to force one pretty close to a larger town, in order to find the classes, tutors, etc. that your children need.
Here are a few places you might like, from what you've described: 1) The Mt. Vernon/Gambier, Ohio area. 2) Walla Walla, Wa. 3) Danville, Ky 4) Johnstone, TN, outside of Nashville 5) Ithaca, NY But be prepared for a long, cold winter! 6) Southeastern Ohio, near Yellow Springs 7) Durango, Co - if you don't mind it being on the dry side.
You might also want to check out a website called findyourspot.com (At least that is how I remember it.) You answer a fairly long set of questions about what kind of a place you're hoping to find, & then you get a pretty large set of potential areas/cities. I found it helpful.
Right now, I have pretty much zeroed in on Ky; I think it offers the most of what you & I are hoping to find, with fewer of the potential problems. Yes, there is development, but it is everywhere. Yes, there is summer humidity, but that is all through the Midwest, & there are ways of dealing with it. (My favorite is to go to Maine for a few weeks each August Since it is so reasonable to livein Ky, doing things like that actually become within reach.
I have to say that I have also been looking into Va; & was a bit shocked by your description. Yikes! Just goes to show that you really can't tell much about a place until you spend some time there. Have you given up on ALL on Va? I still think of the Shenendoah Valley as one of the most beautiful places in the country.
Lastly, I have also been looking into what are called eco-villages. A few are sprouting up around the country. A number of people will buy a large area of land together, & then build (or not) according to their values, philosophy. It is different from co-housing, in that the individual houses are generally farther apart. I'm still searching this concept, but am considering it for Ky. My sister & I would like to see if we can do something like that in Ky. (I haven't been able to discover such a place already in existence, that is looking for new people.)
Georgann, I wish you all the best in this search for your dream farm. If I learn about any place that sounds promising, I will certainly let you know.
Lets keep in touch.....
Melanie |
| Buttercup |
Posted - Apr 19 2007 : 10:02:14 AM
Georgann,
MO is a very good choice for being low cost for land, Taxes last I checked are good, not alot of restrictions/permits needed out in the country and you can get things very reasonable near larger towns. You can grow many things there and still have four seasons but milder. WVa is absolutely beautiful and the small tract that goes between Ohio and PA is lovely and last I checked great prices. Growing there is good. You have four seasons, but in the hills may have more snow then what you get where you are. As far as a bigger city you can be within an hour of Pittsburgh PA, however that close I have not checked the prices in a while but a quick check on realtor.com would let you know. Areas of central Ohio are not bad in price either outside of Columbus area, but do not remember the taxes right now. I have lived in so many places will be more then happy to try and remember anything you would like to know. This website helps you find the perfect place/places for you. You might give it a try and see what it comes up with for your needs and desires!
http://www.bestplaces.net/fybp/
Hope it helps!! And most of all I hope you find a wonderful place for you and yours!
Hugz!
Talitha
"If we could maintain the wonder of childhood and at the same time grasp the wisdom of age, what wonder,what wisdom,what life would be ours" |
| Alee |
Posted - Apr 19 2007 : 08:49:32 AM
Well-
If you really wanted to uproot yourself, you could come west of the Mississippi River! Land in Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming tends to be pretty cheap and taxes are pretty low too. This is the only region I know, so unfortunately I can't offer any location advice if you prefer to stay East.
It sounds like such a great idea though, and I really think you and your husband will be great at it! I don't think it is too late to buy land if you are willing to get out there and work with it- plus gardening and such keeps us young and healthy so it will probably be good for you!
Let us know how the search is going!
Alee
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| happymama58 |
Posted - Apr 19 2007 : 07:34:34 AM
Another Missourian chiming in (hi, Sandy)! While my dream is to live on the east coast, I love where I live. We have 4 distinct seasons, but the winters are not harsh where I live (SE Missouri about 70 miles southwest of St. Louis). But like Sandy said, the humidity is high in the summer, so that may be a problem. Have fun while searching and keep us in mind!
Some people search for happiness; others create it.
Please visit me at www.marykay.com/pmiinch |
| ponyexpress |
Posted - Apr 19 2007 : 06:37:26 AM
I believe Progressive Farmer did a story recently (in the last year or so) on the best places to live. One of the areas is just west of me -- Callaway County, Missouri. It is between St. Louis and Columbia, MO. Both St. Louis and Columbia have everything you would need in terms of medical care, job possibilities, and both are college towns/cities.
I will warn you, though, that the summers with the heat and humidity can be difficult. Our humidity does rise and can stay at higher levels for periods of time, but its not as long term as a southern summer. We don't have the problem with mildew and mold like the southern-most states experience. We have a saying..."If you don't like the weather in Missouri, just wait a day - it'll change."
Good luck with your search. It can be both exciting and wearing at the same time.
I've tried to find a suitable exercise video for women my age...but they haven't made one called "Buns of Putty" |
| Amie C. |
Posted - Apr 19 2007 : 06:36:22 AM
I can testify to the Finger Lakes region as being very beautiful and relatively cheap to live in. It's true that taxes are high in NY, but property values are low so it kind of evens out. I live in the city of Rochester and I'm hoping to move farther down into the rural part of the state in the next few years. One good thing about this area is that there is a string of relatively cosmopolitan cities all along I-90. So you would never have far to go for your culture/shopping fix. Have you looked into the city of Ithaca? It's very small, very environmentally minded, home to Cornell University (with lots of agricultural programs). What kind of work is your husband looking for? I'd be glad to give you any specific info I can. |
| mima |
Posted - Apr 19 2007 : 06:24:35 AM
I still wish you would move to my area............ |
| KYgurlsrbest |
Posted - Apr 19 2007 : 06:12:43 AM
I'm sorry, I don't have much to say about where to move because I live in Kentucky, which isn't much above the Mason Dixon, but, Boy! Those homeowner's associations! I don't have to live in the confines of one, but I do work for an attorney who sets up a lot of their bylaws and guidelines. NO TOMATOES? I've never heard of such a thing!
Where we live sounds very much like your Virginia--developers are eating it up.
We've thought about Indiana, Illinois, Pennsylvania and Maine. The growing season is limited, there, I suppose, but Maine has the most similar tax structure and housing prices to our area that we've found.
I wish you much luck in your search. You'll find it!
"In the spring, at the end of the day, you should smell like dirt." Margaret Atwood
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| _Rebecca_ |
Posted - Apr 19 2007 : 06:04:05 AM
I've heard that Kansas is very beautiful. And my friend Gigi loved living there. I think she was close to Lawrence.
.·:*¨¨* :·.Rebecca.·:*¨¨* :·. |
| serenity1652 |
Posted - Apr 19 2007 : 05:58:47 AM
Hey Georgann,
You will be in my part of the country. West Virginia is beautiful and relativly (sp?) cheap living. I live in a small town with low crime rate, decent schools and driving distace to 4 workable cities...as my town has no work. Go to www.findwvrealestate.com and it will give you the listings for this area and surrounding areas within 100 miles. It is our MLS. Hope that helps,
Fawn
"May all of your farm girl dreams come true...as mine has"
http://shallowcreekfarm.blogspot.com/ |
| Bee Haven Maven |
Posted - Apr 19 2007 : 03:47:08 AM
Hi Georgann, our place in Central PA sounds like what you are looking for. We are located halfway between Harrisburg and Penn State (State College) in Juniata County. Juniata and Perry County are very rural, but still close enough to get necessities. There are lots of people around us who have relocated from the fast-paced East Coast life and have the best of both worlds. Many home-school. We are in the heart of Amish Country, and the pace is slow. The air is clean and it is so very quiet. Now, we still have days with pollen because of so many deciduous trees, however. Property is still cheaper to come by. Taxes have started to climb a bit, but not horrendous. We have a small town nearby that has small time fairs and celebrations on holidays. There are lots of County agricultural fairs in the summer in nearby counties. I have been to so many states.....and I love the rolling hills of Pennsylvania. Good luck in your search!
Keep Smiling.....Bev
Bee Haven Acres
http://beehavenacres.blogspot.com/
http://beehavenmaven.blogspot.com/ |
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