Thanks so much for the quick response! I'm still a year or two away from retiring from my formal working career here in Chicago and embarking on some new, less structured sort of life. I'm 54 and originally from a particularly beautiful spot in Northern California. Alas, that state has really gone to hell over the past few decades. It pains me to say it, but I would never move back there simply because of its political situation. Northern New Mexico and Arizona appeal to me, though I can't really give any concrete reason why other than a rather general aesthetic and climatic appeal. Of course the availability of water is a crucial consideration, especially if you intend to grow something, as I do. Again, no definite plans, just some vague ideas.
It sounds like you plan to build pretty much from scratch. I'm less ambitious. I'd like to buy a small home on at least 3 or 4 acres (and preferably a bit more) that's ready to inhabit. A bit of painting and updating is one thing, and I could live with solar for electricity and hauled water, but I'd prefer not to have to monkey with drilling a well, installing septic, etc. I've been looking at such properties via Realtor.com. And I just discovered LandWatch, so I'll begin scouring that site, too. In the end, the most daunting thing about all this is doing it alone. You're lucky to have a "partner" (as you call him!) to help with decision-making and such. It's lovely to be able to do exactly as you wish, with no-one else's wishes to consider, but such freedom can also be a bit overwhelming, especially if one is indecisive, as I tend to be!
But who knows? We might end up neighbors one of these old days.
