San Francisco Bay Area--get me out of here!?! 39Male

39 year old male here in California.  I wish I had a big chunk of land so I could invite a young woman or perhaps several people to come and work, but I don't.  This is all kind of new to me, in the past year or so.  I am able to go somewhere in the US and I am able to meet someone in California.  I'm saving money for that chunk of land by working as a contractor--handyman, carpenter.  That's a big part of what I can offer, and I study permaculture in order to be able to integrate these techniques.  I am not a typical Bay Area guy.  A lot of the women that might have interested me in the past now consider me a leper because I'm not taking part in the large medical experiment and I don't hate the orange one.  I don't hate anyone.  I'm kind of like a conservative hippie, if that makes any sense.  I'm interested in a lot of different things, studied a lot of different things, traveled, educated, worked different jobs.  For land use, I'm interested in greater community and/or engaging with the surrounding community, AirBNB, survival and permaculture/woodworking classes, crafting various things.

Hi Ryan,

Good on you, surviving the Bay Area without taking the Fauci Miracle Serum. Stay strong. Where would do you want to go when you leave CA? I like the term "conservative hippie." That probably describes myself as well. I'm too far away for you (NY looking towards NH), but I just wanted to say hi and good luck. --Julie

Julie: Thank you for your support.  That is the big question.  I was looking at Arkansas, but it's flatter than I like and maybe too conservative when it comes to some things.  I'll probably stick with a Rocky Mountains state... unless someone makes me an offer, even just for a few months working on a project.  Real estate prices are bound to come down at some point.  

Ryan James wrote: I was looking at Arkansas, but it's flatter than I like and maybe too conservative when it comes to other things.  I'll probably stick with a Rocky Mountains state... unless someone makes me an offer, even just for a few months working on a project.  Real estate prices are bound to come down at some point.  

Ugh, yeah, figuring out politics and real estate prices these days is a nightmare. I was trying to move to NH this summer, and there were people so desperate to move out of NYC that they were buying anything just to have an address; the moving companies wouldn't move your stuff out without a legitimate, verified address. It made the market nuts. Had a friend from upstate NY check out Oregon and Idaho last summer. The prices in Idaho were skyrocketing from CA refugees flooding in. It's wild out there. My solution is to keep saving money and hope it calms down soon.

Hmm, you seem to refer to laws regarding personal freedom. Have you checked out the Cato institute's Freedom in the 50 States report? https://cdn.freedominthe50states.org/download/2021/print-edition-2021.pdf It discusses that under "personal freedom," but also takes into account taxes, land use, gun rights, etc. I've heard nice things about Missouri. One state up from Arkansas but ranks as more free. It's got a more varied terrain and good land for homesteading. I have no idea what the real estate is like there now...

how hilly are you looking for?  Arkansas is not flat in the NW

Thanks again, Julie!  You're exactly right.  Someone pm'd me about landwatch.com also which looks promising.  I mostly heard about people going to Florida, so that's good to know too.  Last time I checked, it costs twice as much to rent a trailer to go to Texas than to go from Texas to California, and Idaho is probably the same.  Fortunately, I have an Excursion which can fit most of my stuff and I can buy a trailer to make moving easier.  If I didn't have that, I'd probably buy an old RV for moving and then have somewhere to sleep temporarily if it were just land.  If it weren't for all the tech money, I would be gone already, but I will do other things for a career if I move rather than work on random people's houses.  If I buy property, I'll probably want to stay there until I die, so I want to be certain.  As crazy as it's gotten, it's still awesome that we can just buy a chunk of land, for very little money even, and park an RV on it.  

I just spent some time in Arkansas last week looking at land. It is really quite beautiful and hilly in the north. I was pleasantly surprised! I am in a similar boat-looking for some land to build a sustainable community/farm/school or at the very least a refuge away from the craziness of our current times. (I was teaching in NYC the last few years. I am worn out by it all, longing to be settled and back to the basics of nature and homesteading.)
I am temporarily living in Wyoming, but the winter is too cold for my liking…and biking. (In my thirty four years, I have yet to own a car and hope I never need to. I have been spoiled by living in areas that are bicycle friendly and have public transportation.
I am a bit hesitant to dive in to a new area alone without a support system or knowing much about an area. I thought I would reach out since the coincidence in Arkansas interest and that I would also probably be labeled a “conservative hippie”. Feel free to share your contact information, I would love to talk more.

Ryan James wrote:Thanks again, Julie!  You're exactly right.  Someone pm'd me about landwatch.com also which looks promising.  I mostly heard about people going to Florida, so that's good to know too.  Last time I checked, it costs twice as much to rent a trailer to go to Texas than to go from Texas to California, and Idaho is probably the same.  Fortunately, I have an Excursion which can fit most of my stuff and I can buy a trailer to make moving easier.  If I didn't have that, I'd probably buy an old RV for moving and then have somewhere to sleep temporarily if it were just land.  If it weren't for all the tech money, I would be gone already, but I will do other things for a career if I move rather than work on random people's houses.  If I buy property, I'll probably want to stay there until I die, so I want to be certain.  As crazy as it's gotten, it's still awesome that we can just buy a chunk of land, for very little money even, and park an RV on it.  

I just discovered landwatch.com myself two or three days ago! It does have some good listings. I wonder if you got a decent sized trailer, could you turn it into a temporary tiny house when you get to your land, and then build from there? Have you read the book Mortgage Free? It's old now, but still great ideas.

I have land in SW - VA with springs in the mountains. I used to teach construction, but can't do it alone & I am looking for like-minded land-mates.

Carm En: I sent you a purple moosage.  

Geo: That sounds good.  Could you tell me more about your plans/the land?  

My place is at the top of a watershed with springs, a barn, outbuildings and next door to a state park with large tracts of undeveloped land.  
It's not fancy or expansive, but it has many good components and a quite nice view as well. I am thinking when I have help of getting Cayuga ducks and sheep for wool, milk and meat. I'd like to make a real pond and do more with that and solar and wind power. I have some herbals and medicinal plants started but would like to put in more beds now that grading work around the house redo is mostly done.
I have mostly rebuilt the 1900 farmhouse on it and am at the point I'd like to host some people to learn, help, etc.
I know a lot about this life, but I was in Vermont most of the last decade and touring to teach about such things globally. Now I am wanting to create a network community of educating and projects here and include a few like-minded folk here for various length stays.

Bro, if you pass up Arkansas , because you think it’s flat , you’re missing out ..that’s where I live and it’s mountainous paradise ..many people are here in the ozarks doing the  the things you’re interested in