Well on the bright side land in New Mexico and Arizona is going for cheap prices. And if you know how to transform the land from arid desert to lush green vegetation you will be doing fine. And before you say it cannot be done because “science”, how do you explain Israel? Or other swaths of desert turned into rich oasis?
It takes time effort and yes water but the local governments would rather see the water evaporate than be put to good use. Some western and south western states have regulated rain water and have either made rain catchment systems illegal or have attached water rights and water storage rights to the rain.
And California is not being exported to neighboring states! BAH! Quit dumping fresh water into the ocean!
***Some western and south western states ..... have attached water rights and water storage rights to the rain.***
Colorado is that way. That is why you can buy 40 acres of prairie rather cheap as the water rights from rain and snow are owned by Kansas.
Coloradoans in SE Colorado are required allow the rain and snow melt to run into rivers then into Kansas for this reason.