Moving from Connecticut to Tennessee

Hello Everyone,
    My wife and I are starting the process of a big move from the rat race of CT to hopefully  transition into a homesteading lifestyle in Eastern Tennessee. We have dabbled in gardening, wild edibles, aquaponics, chickens and canning. We are both in our 50's and are blue collar workers trying to stay ahead the taxman's next demand.
     Our goal is to sell our home and relocate while also looking for a place where we can expand our ability to become more self sufficient. We will need to work outside the home since we will not be able to purchase a property without a loan. We will have some money from the equity of the sale of our home if we act soon. (The market is crazy right now). The amount is unknown at this point until we speak with our realtor. definitely not enough to by a house ,but possible land. At our age I was hoping for an old abandoned homestead a with fixer upper, a well, and some fruit trees. Always nice to dream.   One of the most important thing I have learned though my experience is that other people are my best resource. So we are hoping to make friends here to help with all the unknowns.
      I guess what I am asking for is the wisdom of others who have gone before us. Thanks.

Good luck with it.\When you get an idea of a budget things will start to pan out.
By the way, what does this mean?

trying to stay ahead the taxman's next demand.

Oh, just saying Connecticut has very high State taxes.

I am in Australia, and I think your local taxes etc seem low compared to what we pay. I am curious about it.
My local taxes for town are $2400 per year, no state taxes.

I can see why Keith wants out, I'm thinking of jumping ship for a low tax / high freedom area myself.  I'd take $2400 in property tax any day ....$5k to 8K is not unsually around these parts, then throw in an income tax on top of that. Fuel taxes and a host of other surcharges add up, as well. On the upside, it is a beautiful area to live in, as there is lots to do and see around here, but the common working folk have a big ol' ​boot on their neck.

Godspeed on the move, Keith ....wishing you the best of success!

I love that you are following your dream where you get to produce the following onsite:
1) greens, fruits, nuts, eggs, chicken, fish all on 1 or so acres
2) water, septic, solar-electric and possible cooling+Heating(firewood).

How long will it take you to pay off the new homestead in TN so that you can truly leave the rat race ( I assume the income will be less in TN.
What are your plans for aging in place? Will you be paying less in taxes but more in healthcare?

Hi, Keith!

Welcome to permies. I am constantly amazed by the wealth of wisdom found here. If I ever post a question, I can almost always get several really solid answers.

When hubbie was in the military, we lived in Tennessee for a bit. It was BEAUTIFUL. And the bonus of no state income taxes was a blessing! I loved the four seasons of the area. (They say where I live now has four seasons: humid summers and chilly winters, plus the two weeks in between when the weather's actually nice. LOL)

Everyone was very hospitable too. I trust you'll enjoy it too.

The only piece of advice I'd offer is that gardening in Tennessee will be worlds different than Connecticut. Give yourself a bunch of grace to re-learn everything you think you know. It's ok. Just keep learning and asking the "locals" what their suggestions might be.

Hi Keith, My husband, daughter and I just moved from the Washington DC area to South East Tennessee - and so far I love it! We bought a house on 16 acres and we'll be moving in early in November.  I'm ready to have a larger garden with a greenhouse! I hope your house sold and you and your family are on your way South!

Seems many of us are feeling the same tug.   I've been seriously thinking about getting out of MA,  cashing out my modest real estate, and moving to TN,  KY,  VA  or similar.  Somewhere I can afford to pay cash outright for small property and cabin.   I've farmed before (sheep, rabbits, ducks, pigs),  have work skills that travel.   Looking at all my options for my "end game" plan now in my 50s and looking at the last stretch, how I want to experience it!