I stand to inherit a small amount of money I am thinking of using to purchace a small "homestead". I have found one that was evedentally set up because of Y2K. It has all of the things you would have needed for it, solar panels, well on the property, generator, large storage areas etc.

Does anyone know of any places that may be up sale like this? I have always wanted a place in the country, preferably in the mountains around the northwest. I am not sure what I will eventually have to spend, but I would definatly need a workshop and a fireplace is a definate requirement, as that and watching the ocean are two of the most stress reducing things I know. I'm a little tired of stress these days.

-- Anonymous, December 03, 2000

Answers

Sorry, I can't refer you to a place for sale. Carla Embry's Encyclopedia of Country Living has a fair bit of info, and useful bibliography of books on the subject.

Sussing out a country place is often a long term process. In the country neighbors become very important. If you can stand the rain, the coastal mountains of Oregon have a lot of tiny communities and valleys off the beaten track.

If you want a decent price, look at places at least 65 road miles from anywhere with a high tech economy, like Portland metro area or Corvallis. Look at places near roads that are well-graded, all-weather, but gravel. If you don't want to do a big truck garden, go for someplace with poor, rocky soil that has been left mostly in woodlot. My own preference would be to live close a small farm community, rather than a distressed timber town. Farmers have most of the virtues of lumberjacks and fewer of the vices. Plus, the poverty in small timber towns these days causes a lot of problems that might lap up to your door.

The harder it is to get to and the further away from big town amenities, the cheaper it will be. The closer to a "recreational area" or tourist destination, the pricier it gets.

-- Anonymous, December 04, 2000

Oh mon Cherri...how much money?

-- Anonymous, December 04, 2000