Relocating. A couple areas on the radar: Joseph, OR; Twisp WA. Anyone live there or close?

I'm looking to relocate to a larger parcel of land where I can spread my wings and get back to my roots of being near the wilderness and farming...though on a smaller scale than the 200 acre family farm of the past.

My roots and family run deep in my current location of south central and central Idaho. I also love the landscape diversity and the amount of designated wilderness areas, amongst other things. I get a bit sad even considering a big move, however, I'm finding it difficult finding the combination of things I'm looking for here.

That said, from poking around on the Net, Joseph, OR and Twisp, WA look intriguing to me...and most importantly, seem to have the type of property I'm seeking in the price range my wallet might be able to handle.

If anyone lives in or near these areas, or has spent time there, how do/did you like it? Are there many other Permaculturists or those with Permy like ideals around? Good community for raising a child in?

Thanks!

I live in La Grande, OR about 70 miles from Joseph. I go up there frequently for hiking and fishing. NE Oregon in general is low on permaculturists so come on over!
I do think you would find some like minded people in Wallowa County though they may not speak the permie language. On the flip side, conventional ranching and the mindset that often goes with that rules.

Holistic Management seems to be a sister to permaculture and though I have not met Peter Donavan he would likely be an ally. His website is http://managingwholes.com/. He lives in Enterprise. The only downside to the Joseph area I can think of is the elevation (just over 4000') and therefore the short growing season. La Grande is 2800' and it sometimes feels like a race to ripen squash even here. Feel free to stop by and say hello if you wander over this way. subdo2000@yahoo.com
Sue

Looks like Peter and I definitely have common ground.

Thanks for the info and link, Sue! Now I just need to go on a road trip scouting mission.

rusty

We settled in the Okanogan, near Tonasket WA, which is east of a few mountains from Twisp. (About 1.5 hrs drive between the two). I think Twisp is beautiful, but it seems cooler in climate and thus more snow. Tonasket area has some permies, most notable is Michael Pilarski (Skeeter) of Friends of the Trees. Interested people here have started a loosely organized Permaculture Study Group to help each other learn together and help each other out on projects. This area was more affordable in land prices as well. BTW we also looked at Enterprise and Joseph areas, both beautiful and abundant rainfall too, several of the folks we met that the farmer's market seemed into Permaculture, they had Joel Salatin speaking at a workshop the day we were passing through!! So, keep working at it and you will find what you need and good luck!
Barbara

Barbara Greene wrote:We settled in the Okanogan, near Tonasket WA, which is east of a few mountains from Twisp. (About 1.5 hrs drive between the two). I think Twisp is beautiful, but it seems cooler in climate and thus more snow. Tonasket area has some permies, most notable is Michael Pilarski (Skeeter) of Friends of the Trees. Interested people here have started a loosely organized Permaculture Study Group to help each other learn together and help each other out on projects. This area was more affordable in land prices as well. BTW we also looked at Enterprise and Joseph areas, both beautiful and abundant rainfall too, several of the folks we met that the farmer's market seemed into Permaculture, they had Joel Salatin speaking at a workshop the day we were passing through!! So, keep working at it and you will find what you need and good luck!
Barbara

Good info, Barbara! Thanks! I have spoke with Skeeter in the past on the phone and shared a few emails with him...but not regarding a possible move up there. I did email him the other day and have not heard back. Busy guy.

At any rate, what you write sounds promising. I will check out the Net to get a feel for Tonasket land. Thanks again.

Hi Rusty, did you settle on anything? I lived in the Joseph Enterprise area for a few years. It's so beautiful but the main valley is a little cold for growing the full array, or at least it used to be. It's also as you have probably seen fairly expensive for land and also taxes (state). I'm currently in Council ID, southeast and across the Snake.

J W Richardson wrote:Hi Rusty, did you settle on anything? I lived in the Joseph Enterprise area for a few years. It's so beautiful but the main valley is a little cold for growing the full array, or at least it used to be. It's also as you have probably seen fairly expensive for land and also taxes (state). I'm currently in Council ID, southeast and across the Snake.

Hi J W,

Have not decided on anything yet. I have been actively looking and considering all options though. Did spend a few days in Joseph towards the end of Aug and really liked it. All things considered, it's about as close to what I had in mind as anything I have seen. One thing I didn't care for was the way it was tucked back in there...kinda at the end of the road. If it were a thoroughfare though, it might not hold the same appeal to me.

The Council/Cambridge area has been in the back of my mind for a while. Looked around a bit 2-3 summers ago and there were certainly some things about it I found appealing. Compared to some areas I've seen, it seems there are some super deals on land! I was concerned that I'd be more of a black sheep there than where I'm at though...but, from looking at one of your other posts, sounds like there could be a few other like-minded folks:-)

At any rate, thank you for your post! Good to know that you're in Council. I'm not in a huge rush to relocate but I am ramping up my search. My mother, who lives nearby, is approaching 90...and not in the best of health.

rusty

Ahh, Council... I looked at your site and you are around Twin Falls? It seems more mixed up here. The land prices are right - the zoning in Oregon is much tighter and results in a real shortage of small rural acreages at a reasonable price.
Here it seems that there are a lot of eccentric types - for example, tea partiers holding workshops for reiki work on their horses - mixing that comes about in small areas where one is kind of forced to intersocialize.
I raised my child here and he went on to go to Reed College, a friend's went to Hampshire, (both are schools that have a 'needs blind' admission policy) . The school is poor but the community involvement is high.

J W Richardson wrote:Ahh, Council... I looked at your site and you are around Twin Falls? It seems more mixed up here. The land prices are right - the zoning in Oregon is much tighter and results in a real shortage of small rural acreages at a reasonable price.
Here it seems that there are a lot of eccentric types - for example, tea partiers holding workshops for reiki work on their horses - mixing that comes about in small areas where one is kind of forced to intersocialize.
I raised my child here and he went on to go to Reed College, a friend's went to Hampshire, (both are schools that have a 'needs blind' admission policy) . The school is poor but the community involvement is high.

Yes, I'm in Twin Falls.

"tea partiers holding workshops for reiki work on their horses" Wow....now that seems an odd mix!

Thanks for the additional info!