Hello All! Moving to Idaho to start the dream of self sufficiency and permaculture

Hello hello!
I just joined this amazing community, so glad I stumbled across it. I'm 43 and beyond ready to start a little homestead and permaculture food forest and I think I'm pretty sure Idaho is the place I want to land. Does anyone have good recommendations about where in Idaho to start looking for land? I was considering central Idaho and North Central Idaho. I appreciate any advice or comments as I am ready to learn! I would love to have a buddy but I'm also ready for the hard work and pride that comes along with this way of life.  Thanks!

Hey, I’m in South Central Idaho, for now. I’d say what you can afford to spend will determine where you purchase. Idaho is not cheap, it’s currently one of the fastest growing states and home/land prices have sky rocketed. I’m currently prepping my home for sale and I’m amazed what it’s worth. I’ve owned it 24 years and it worth over three times what I paid, maybe more. I’ve already had two offers and it’s not for sale yet. Idaho is not what it once was, climate or politically. The winters in my area have become mild and the summers to hot, and water issues are developing. I wish you good luck in your search. I’m looking at Oregon but there I’m trading expensive real estate for expensive real estate. I can go to Maine, Kentucky, Tennessee or the Great Lakes states and get a place for half what Idaho prices are. I might go for an off-grid home or just buy land and go the yurt option. I’m 59 and intend this to be the last home I buy. I’m leaning toward Maine, I’d like to be able to drive to the coast and buy fresh seafood every week.

Wow, thanks for all that info, I had no idea it was getting bad. The prices seemed to have doubled within the last year or so. I was looking for 20-40 acres but now might have to settle for 5-10. The dreams of having Bison might be off the table then. I can probably afford 5-10 acres unless someone want's to buddy up. I've got some primitive skills under my belt, gardening and farm animal skills but saddly, I don't have any construction skills. It would be great to find someone that likes to build cabins and chicken coops and all those fun things. I'm still gonna have a look around Idaho this summer and see what it looks like. I would love to move somewhere with 4 seasons.

Maine seems a bit chilly but everything for me will seem a bit chilly, being from Arizona. I think Maine is pretty expensive too, high property taxes. Good luck on your search and good luck with your home sale! I might end up looking at Costa Rica if Idaho doesn't work out. I just need nature...and some 'off-the grid-ness' business LOL

Nicole Hunt wrote:Wow, thanks for all that info, I had no idea it was getting bad. The prices seemed to have doubled within the last year or so. I was looking for 20-40 acres but now might have to settle for 5-10. The dreams of having Bison might be off the table then. I can probably afford 5-10 acres unless someone want's to buddy up. I've got some primitive skills under my belt, gardening and farm animal skills but saddly, I don't have any construction skills. It would be great to find someone that likes to build cabins and chicken coops and all those fun things. I'm still gonna have a look around Idaho this summer and see what it looks like. I would love to move somewhere with 4 seasons.

Maine seems a bit chilly but everything for me will seem a bit chilly, being from Arizona. I think Maine is pretty expensive too, high property taxes. Good luck on your search and good luck with your home sale! I might end up looking at Costa Rica if Idaho doesn't work out. I just need nature...and some 'off-the grid-ness' business LOL

We should talk I'm looking to buy a large piece of land too. I want to start a homesteading, permaculture community/village maybe we can buddy up. Single mother of 2. message me here or email me at opal.althoff@gmail.com I am currently living in Idaho You can come visit if you like

Idaho is a nice state.  Growing season is a too short for my tastes.  Make sure you have the water rights on your land sorted.  Being from Arizona you are likely familiar with the water rights issues out west.

Hats off to you for chasing the dream.  

Thanks and Great Tips!