Posted on 12/08/2006 4:58:06 AM PST by MyFreeperName
I am moving in the relatively near future and I'd like some helpful insight.
I am tired of living with sheeple in suburbia, and merely existing from day to day, not following my dreams. So, I intend to try to do something about it. I want to build a great place for me, my daughter and close loved ones, Kinda like Walton's mountain. Yes I am a romantic idealist....so sue me.
It may not happen, but that's what I'm shooting for. If you don't have a target, you'll never hit it, right?
Work shouldn't be a problem (I am in the dental field), however, I am reeeeallly hoping my next move will be my last, so I am trying to take my time in choosing a place. There are several factors to consider:
Me in a nut shell: **Early thirties, divorced, have one daughter that lives in DFW, Texas half the year. So I'd like to stay somewhere relatively close. **Non-Denominational Bible believing Christian. **I am a Constitutionalist/Libertarian Socially liberal - Long hair is cool (though not usually attractive on most guys). I believe in legalizing marijuana, I generally feel like you should be able to do whatever you want - we don't need a law for every freaking eventuality. What I do is no one else's business unless what I'm doing is going to affect someone one else negatively (like drunk driving, for instance). Seat belt laws and laws saving me from myself are utter crap. Personal freedom is very important to me. Being gay is ok, I just don't morally agree with it, that doesn't mean we can't get along. Bush and Clinton are both Satan's minions, they have screwed up so much in this country. **Financially conservative - The less government, the better. Cut spending and services WAY down. Focus more on debt reduction, social improvement projects and such. **I love outdoors activities: kayaking, horse riding, ATVs, fishing, hiking, skiing.....you get the idea. Sport hunting is dumb, hunting for food is ok. Conserving our wild spaces is important to me. **I am an artist, a photographer, and I love music. A community of some of these people would be nice, though I can communicate well enough online. **I like martial arts. A school of martial arts would be nice, but isn't a necessity.
What I want: **I am looking for something that reminds me of the "100 acre wood" from Winnie the Pooh, or "The Shire" from the Lord of the Rings, for lack of a better description; I intending to build a self sustaining "off the grid", homestead type parcel of land with a house that looks akin to a "Hobbit Hole" or earth shelter. I don't have to live WAY in the boonies, just somewhere with enough acreage that I don't hear any traffic and I can legally shoot my guns if I want to. **Pasture land for my animals with a stream and/or lake access on the property with a nice view of some mountains. Yes I know I sound like I want a Utopia (and I know "paradise" doesn't exist), but I know places like this exist (I've seen them, honest) and I want to find one of my own, no matter how long it takes. **Decent access to good shopping (I prefer a good selection of mom & pop stores to "chains", I can buy "chain" stuff easily enough online). Good local restaurants and entertainment are also a plus. I love going to the movies. **Low crime rate, friendly community and a good school system for my daughter. **Very gun friendly environment. I carry concealed and own several weapons. I believe an armed society is a polite society. **Low tax burden and cost-of-living.
I state all of this just so you know where I'm coming from, not to start a flamewar over anything. :D
I am thinking the Ozarks area of Arkansas, the Blue Ridge/Smokies area of Tennessee, Virginia and Kentucky, or Northern Alabama and Georgia are the best places to start. A comparative analysis by someone whose lived in the Ozarks AND Smokies, and even the Rockies would be greatly appreciated.
Alaska, Wyoming, and Idaho don't quite work for me. I don't care to be cold that long and its too far from my daughter. Texas is likely out because I detest mid/east Texas, prolly has something to do with my ex, scrubby brushland and DFW in general, so I will stick to the aforementioned areas, unless given a good reason not to.
New Hampshire, Vermont and Wyoming were great as far as general cost-of-living and political climate, but weather and distance seem too prohibitive. I am undecided about Oregon and Washington.
I used the NRA website, All Experts Encyclopedia at About.com , Wikis, City-Search.com , Sterling's "Best Places" and Findyourspot.com as starting points for my search. Any other help/suggestions are most welcome. Feel free to email me at electricecho@gmail.com .
I like the sound of rolling hills/foothills with mountains, streams and lakes nearby.
Flat land/prairie.....blech Desert....blech High on a mountain....blech...pretty, but too much trouble. Ocean.....I love the ocean, but the only place with mountains and ocean that isn't ice cold is the NW. Hmmm, maybe I should reconsider.
Get a life hippie.
From what you post, Alabama is the place for you to look at. Were I to move again, I'd be looking at Alabama.
I know a dude who'll give you a deal on bongs...
You signed up on December 1, 2006.
Dump the dental floss!
Start using mental floss!
Better stay put.
If you want to build a place for your Daughter than why not move to DFW? Plenty of land West of Fort Worth and East of Dallas.
Have you thought about Canada? DUmmies are always saying they're going to move to Canada when things are going their way down here.
Ha! why is it when these people show up and their first post is always a vanity?
Some things never change.
Is this a singles' ad?
I know a place in which you'd be very happy: It's called Democratic Underground. Not sure of the zip code.
How about Fantasy Land?
You should send a letter to Jon Carry. He can help you marry rich and then you could have many houses!
It must be nice to live in your head with Peter Pan and the Easter bunny, but good luck finding the place you seek.
ROFL
Well, good luck with that Hobbit Hole! I hope you use reinforced concrete.
REALLY reinforced.
I have already reached out to my legal team.
You may want to subscribe, as I do to Backwoods Home, Mother Earth News, and Country or Countryside Magazine. You will find like souls there. MEN has lots of info about haybale homes that could be a hobbit's dream.
A day that will live in infamy!
Stay near your children
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