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What to look for in a lot? (Western MT)

 
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Hello all

I'm hoping to one day return to MT and build my own permaculture paradise. Eventually.

I understand that there's the Wheaton labs and plenty of other independent permies in western Montana. I would like to get some hard earned wisdom from this community on green flags and red flags when picking a property. Feel free to ramble on any lessons you've learned that are regionally apropos.
Are there any indicator plants or ecology that telegraph a plot that's more suitable for homesteading? What are some things that one might want to avoid?

For now I'm running on the assumption that healthy/thick grasses indicate sufficient water and sun exposure. And to avoid low shady spots in valleys.
A lot of cheap land is very sloped and wooded, on the sides of mountains. I've seen terraced projects in warmer areas like CA and OR, but I can't help but feel like such a setup would be much more challenging and undesirable in MT; because of the winters.
Rarely are lots mixed. Typically they're fully wooded or wide open field. Would you recommend against either or to try and hold out for a mixture lot with trees and good gardening spaces (before or after clearing)?
It's not a deal breaker, but I'm prioritizing natural water sources like springs or creeks. Do you find this unnecessary or savvy?


Thanks in advance
 
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Location: missoula, montana (zone 4)
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like this?

https://www.makeitmissoula.com/2015/05/quest-for-land-my-advice-for-permies-and-homesteaders-part-1-of-3/

 
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