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Initial thoughts:

I think your ability to work and earn in your remote location could well be hampered by a lack of living quarters. I think you should be considering trailer or mfd home, lots of which are available used, cheap, etc;

I would investigate what it will REALLY cost to get power & sewer or septic to your homesite [eg; center of your lot] Power: Can be an astronomical number. Just investigate.

I would not shun taking on medium grade debt the way you seem to be talking about it. OTOH, you seem to be talking about moving to an area where there might be none, zero work.

I can understand your distaste for where you are now. I am not sure jumping into the reality you are contemplating will make life better for you and yours. Nobody’s forcing you to interact with hordes of liberals. In your rural paradise, starting with nothing, you’ll be forced to deal with all the things you’ll be forced to deal with.

Before you go, make sure you have enough stockpiles. You will need a source of water that is reliable and sanitary. I cannot over stress sanitation issues. If it is a well, how will it be operated, electric, propane, or diesel? Hand pump? How will you dispose of your refuse? Septic system? These are facts of modern life that get taken for granted, but without them, you will quickly learn why life expectancy was low in previous eras.

Next your will need to know what is allowed by the local ordinances. Will livestock be allowed? Have you considered picking up a cheap RV in fairly good condition while you are building your permanent dwelling? Are there places of employment nearby? Do you know anyone nearby?

All of that aside, there is a wealth of knowledge out there. Try “Country wisdom and know how” and “The encyclopedia of country living”. Both of these resources offer good advice, insights, and potential pitfalls of primitive living. I wish you luck.

Do it.

Just make sure you have a way to get along for a while if you both lose your jobs.

Put up LOTS of firewood and get a good stove that will hold a load for 12 hours ( we used a barrel stove kit, no other stove will hold such a load.)

I did it in 1984, with wifey and two kids aged 5 and 6. Rented homes in the winter worked three consecutive summers to build our home, and the family camped on site with a Swift Family Robinson tent platform, and a tow in Pop Up Camper for the kids bedroom.

we had nightoly campfire, daily swims in a lake 1/4 mile away. We toughed it out.

It will test your relationship, but you will thrive if you have genuine love for each other.If not, one of you will feel slighted and leave.

My kids still speak of those days as the favorites of their childhood.

We moved into our new home in November of 1987.

When yo buld, make sure you have a full concrete foundation, either basement or slab. That way you will have good equity inn the future.

Have your power and well working before you move on to the site.

If you set up a pioneer style tent, do so on a raised wooden platform, and and make sure you have a fly canvas set up to cobver the whole tent, that makes it workable, anything elese is too tiring in the long run because you can't rest at night well when the weather turns rainy or too hot. we had running water,propane heater,propane stove with oven electricty and telephone right into our "prospector" tent which was 12 by 14 feet with 4 foot side walls, 12 oz white canvas with a 20 by 20 foot fly, it all cost us 600 dollars at the time. Weran the stove and the water onto an 4 x 8 porch covered by the fly.

Go for it, make sure you have a good base to work from though, and the time goes fast until the first snow flies.

We are buying 5 acres in rural south central Tennessee on contract from a friend

Never buy on contract, especially from "a friend". Good way to part on not so friendly terms. Save for cash only purchase. Why go into debt when you are practically out of debt. You always have to include the worst case scenario..the unknown-health etc.

Build a house for ourselves, do metalwork, pottery and weaving for sale and trade with work on the side.

I don't mean to be a "downer" but there are tens of thousands (maybe many more no figures) of people with the same skills in my rural (vacationland) state. There are too many "artisans" who just got by before these poor economic times. What level does it really become a business and not just a hobby. Building supplies are up, go figure; even though builders (many of of work) of all skill levels are in heavy competition in their "contracted" prices. Logs have to season as well before a building is elevated, so that takes time with your own harvest. Not a "before winter" picture of reality.

Perhaps rent with option to buy, caretaker with quarters provided. Believe it or not, people do take care of light houses. Might need references. Flea markets bring income with little down. Popular as well. Are you anywhere near the World's Longest Yard Sale? The US 127 Corridor Sale? But "fun" buying will be less abundant with cash being held tight to the chest. No matter what income level.

South central Tennessee would not be my choice, but you go where you feel most comfortable. A support base.

Just my opinion. I am sure all the above have been under on your list made up of Positives and Negatives. If it "feels" right with no reservations..like asking others for their opinions ;), then go for it.

Good luck.

Sounds like you're heading in the right direction.

You may want to wait a while longer and keep stocking up on things.

If you think it would be safe leaving it on your 5 acres, I would suggest you consider getting an electric generator and large fuel tank, and begin prepping the site before you move there.

It's your decision, but in my opinion, the longer you wait, stock up and prepare for the move, the better you'll be.

And if you plan to start growing your own food supply, you'll need to prep the land well. Clearing, cutting, removing sod, rocks, etc., plowing, and all the other work related.

Also, you'll either need a well with a hand pump, or a fresh water stream.