Moving to a really rural area

[The Captain]

Apr 14, 2015 16:44:09 GMT -5 Tiny said:

What about Kentucky (Lexington is a nice "city" and there's lots of rural area nearby) or Tennesee (not as familiar but it seems similiar to Kentucky?    Southern Indiana's not bad either.  Pluses:  LCOL   Minuses:  Jokes about marrying your cousin. 

I'm vaguely kind of looking at properties (rental type things not so much 'rural') in the Lexington area or maybe in the Bloomington, Indiana area.   Both are 'college towns'  and what caught my eye was that if I didn't want an 'urban/suburban rental proprety' I could probably find some 'rural' property for myself where I could tend Goats and Cats and maybe some Chickens and not be too far from Civilization.      There's that whole Cow Tipping thing and Marrying your cousin thing that I might have trouble getting past

I also hear Montana has places like you are looking for - but the biggest minus I can think of would be Winter.

I have family in both TN and KY.  The people are for the most part wonderful in some ways but the thinking in others is so damn backwards I'd likely be hung from a tree for my mouth.  Granted they live in more rural areas so hopefully it's better in the cities - but I don't think that's what we are talking about here.

As a northerner for life I couldn't imagine moving there, I can only imagine what it would be like for someone from CA.

[MJ2.0]

Apr 15, 2015 13:13:22 GMT -5 HoneyBBQ said:

Apr 15, 2015 13:01:39 GMT -5 MJ2.0 said:

Nope - I don't do bears or extreme isolation. It's all too "The Shining" for my tastes.

On a related note, I did get chased by a bear at steamboat springs. I was mountain biking and almost hit her two cubs.  She was not pleased. 

oh HEEELLLLLL no!

I freaked out when a big fish hit my kayak when I went kayaking in Kissimmee - if a bear started chasing me I would seriously shit myself.

[lexxy703]

Apr 15, 2015 13:42:37 GMT -5 MJ2.0 said:

Apr 15, 2015 13:13:22 GMT -5 HoneyBBQ said:

On a related note, I did get chased by a bear at steamboat springs. I was mountain biking and almost hit her two cubs.  She was not pleased. 

oh HEEELLLLLL no!

I freaked out when a big fish hit my kayak when I went kayaking in Kissimmee - if a bear started chasing me I would seriously shit myself.

[HoneyBBQ]

I won't lie. I was really fucking scared. I had wiped out my bike trying to not hit the cubs... then was running back UP the hill to get away from the giant bear in the bushes.

I guess "chased" is really an exaggeration because once I trucked up the hill I never saw her again. But it was about 10 minutes before I had steadied myself to go back down and collect my bike and carry on down the hill.

[MJ2.0]

10 minutes?! I would have just started a whole new life on top of that hill.

[Chocolate Lover]

Apr 15, 2015 13:41:24 GMT -5 The Captain said:

Apr 14, 2015 16:44:09 GMT -5 Tiny said:

What about Kentucky (Lexington is a nice "city" and there's lots of rural area nearby) or Tennesee (not as familiar but it seems similiar to Kentucky?    Southern Indiana's not bad either.  Pluses:  LCOL   Minuses:  Jokes about marrying your cousin. 

I'm vaguely kind of looking at properties (rental type things not so much 'rural') in the Lexington area or maybe in the Bloomington, Indiana area.   Both are 'college towns'  and what caught my eye was that if I didn't want an 'urban/suburban rental proprety' I could probably find some 'rural' property for myself where I could tend Goats and Cats and maybe some Chickens and not be too far from Civilization.      There's that whole Cow Tipping thing and Marrying your cousin thing that I might have trouble getting past

I also hear Montana has places like you are looking for - but the biggest minus I can think of would be Winter.

I have family in both TN and KY.  The people are for the most part wonderful in some ways but the thinking in others is so damn backwards I'd likely be hung from a tree for my mouth.  Granted they live in more rural areas so hopefully it's better in the cities - but I don't think that's what we are talking about here.

As a northerner for life I couldn't imagine moving there, I can only imagine what it would be like for someone from CA.

We're not all backwards down here (further south than you're talking ). Please, come down, bring some reason and sanity to those of us who want to stay but hate the attitudes.

[lexxy703]

Apr 15, 2015 14:12:30 GMT -5 Chocolate Lover said:

Apr 15, 2015 13:41:24 GMT -5 The Captain said:

I have family in both TN and KY.  The people are for the most part wonderful in some ways but the thinking in others is so damn backwards I'd likely be hung from a tree for my mouth.  Granted they live in more rural areas so hopefully it's better in the cities - but I don't think that's what we are talking about here.

As a northerner for life I couldn't imagine moving there, I can only imagine what it would be like for someone from CA.

We're not all backwards down here (further south than you're talking ). Please, come down, bring some reason and sanity to those of us who want to stay but hate the attitudes.

I assumed you were in NOLA from some of your other posts.  If so I'll come visit soon.  Jazz Fest should be starting soon right?

[Chocolate Lover]

Apr 15, 2015 14:20:27 GMT -5 lexxy703 said:

Apr 15, 2015 14:12:30 GMT -5 Chocolate Lover said:

We're not all backwards down here (further south than you're talking ). Please, come down, bring some reason and sanity to those of us who want to stay but hate the attitudes.

I assumed you were in NOLA from some of your other posts.  If so I'll come visit soon.  Jazz Fest should be starting soon right?

Close but no cigar. I try not to advertise too specifically where I is

Sadly, I have no idea when Jazz Fest starts, but you're right it's probably soon.

[The Captain]

Apr 15, 2015 14:12:30 GMT -5 Chocolate Lover said:

Apr 15, 2015 13:41:24 GMT -5 The Captain said:

I have family in both TN and KY.  The people are for the most part wonderful in some ways but the thinking in others is so damn backwards I'd likely be hung from a tree for my mouth.  Granted they live in more rural areas so hopefully it's better in the cities - but I don't think that's what we are talking about here.

As a northerner for life I couldn't imagine moving there, I can only imagine what it would be like for someone from CA.

We're not all backwards down here (further south than you're talking ). Please, come down, bring some reason and sanity to those of us who want to stay but hate the attitudes.

I know, it's hard - right?

For me the most telling moment was when I read a news article in a local paper while visiting my folks.  Two men in their late teens (18 and 19) shot a pizza delivery man in the face in an attempted robbery.  Fortunately the guy lived.

They pled down to some ridiculous charge.  The pizza delivery guy was scarred for life, his face was really messed up and no way could he afford plastic surgery.  The tone of the story was it was just two misguided yuths who shouldn't have their lives ruined by one mistake.

The gunmen?  White.  The pizza guy - yep - black.  I saw it as attempted murder, not whatever bullshit charge they pled to. Problem apparently was getting a conviction on that by a jury of their peers.

Dad's neighbors agreed with the article.  When I opened my mouth to voice my opinion Dad's hand clamped down on my wrist.  I then realized he had to live there, not me so I kept it shut.

Don't know how long I'd be able to do that.

[The Walk of the Penguin Mich]

Apr 15, 2015 13:00:08 GMT -5 steph08 said:

Apr 15, 2015 12:46:31 GMT -5 The Walk of the Penguin Mich said:

Forget about getting decent online access in certain areas.

One of the other students in my class lives about 20 miles from town.  Her only available service is a dial up modem, which makes downloading anything almost impossible.  

I've lived 20 miles away from town most of my life, and I've never had trouble getting Verizon high-speed.

Now, any other option is pretty much unavailable, but we do have Verizon!

As for the bears - we had a tonat our old house - mother/3 cubs, gigantic bear, a bear with a bad leg that we affectionately called Gimpy, etc. They never bothered us. One time I did let our dogs out without realizing a bear was up at the neighbor's bird feeder - the bear didn't care but I got my dogs back inside pretty quickly after I saw him walking along behind the trees!

This is in WA.....and like I said, it is some areas of the country.

Hell, there was a huge news report last week about some guy that bought a house near Seattle and he had a horrible time getting internet.  


stopthecap.com/2015/03/25/comcast-screw-up-forces-washington-man-to-sell-his-new-home-quoted-him-60000-installation-fee/

[Chocolate Lover]

Apr 15, 2015 14:30:16 GMT -5 The Captain said:

Apr 15, 2015 14:12:30 GMT -5 Chocolate Lover said:

We're not all backwards down here (further south than you're talking ). Please, come down, bring some reason and sanity to those of us who want to stay but hate the attitudes.

I know, it's hard - right?

For me the most telling moment was when I read a news article in a local paper while visiting my folks.  Two men in their late teens (18 and 19) shot a pizza delivery man in the face in an attempted robbery.  Fortunately the guy lived.

They pled down to some ridiculous charge.  The pizza delivery guy was scarred for life, his face was really messed up and no way could he afford plastic surgery.  The tone of the story was it was just two misguided yuths who shouldn't have their lives ruined by one mistake.

The gunmen?  White.  The pizza guy - yep - black.  I saw it as attempted murder, not whatever bullshit charge they pled to. Problem apparently was getting a conviction on that by a jury of their peers.

Dad's neighbors agreed with the article.  When I opened my mouth to voice my opinion Dad's hand clamped down on my wrist.  I then realized he had to live there, not me so I kept it shut.

Don't know how long I'd be able to do that.

I could rant and rave about so many things. I have to pick my battles and not let my children associate with the morons too early in life.  

I'm still hoping/waiting for Judge Roy Moore to stroke out. Not sure if that makes me a good person or a bad one, but either way I'm still waiting.

[lexxy703]

Here in the northern part of the state we are mostly normal but you will still occasionally see a rebel flag on someone's pickup truck.  And one shack the next town over flies one in the front yard or at least they did the last time I passed it.

[billisonboard]

Apr 15, 2015 13:49:47 GMT -5 HoneyBBQ said:

I won't lie. I was really fucking scared. I had wiped out my bike trying to not hit the cubs... then was running back UP the hill to get away from the giant bear in the bushes.

I guess "chased" is really an exaggeration because once I trucked up the hill I never saw her again. But it was about 10 minutes before I had steadied myself to go back down and collect my bike and carry on down the hill.

Must of been a great bike.

[happyhoix]

Apr 15, 2015 14:30:16 GMT -5 The Captain said:

Apr 15, 2015 14:12:30 GMT -5 Chocolate Lover said:

We're not all backwards down here (further south than you're talking ). Please, come down, bring some reason and sanity to those of us who want to stay but hate the attitudes.

I know, it's hard - right?

For me the most telling moment was when I read a news article in a local paper while visiting my folks.  Two men in their late teens (18 and 19) shot a pizza delivery man in the face in an attempted robbery.  Fortunately the guy lived.

They pled down to some ridiculous charge.  The pizza delivery guy was scarred for life, his face was really messed up and no way could he afford plastic surgery.  The tone of the story was it was just two misguided yuths who shouldn't have their lives ruined by one mistake.

The gunmen?  White.  The pizza guy - yep - black.  I saw it as attempted murder, not whatever bullshit charge they pled to. Problem apparently was getting a conviction on that by a jury of their peers.

Dad's neighbors agreed with the article.  When I opened my mouth to voice my opinion Dad's hand clamped down on my wrist.  I then realized he had to live there, not me so I kept it shut.

Don't know how long I'd be able to do that.

I've lived in NA GA and TN for the last 25 years, in different parts, and it's improving.

About five years ago some red necks set fire to a cross on the lawn of a house near here (the people living there were a mixed race couple). Stupid idiots sat in their pick up and drank beer while it burned, giving the fire department and police time to come there and arrest their asses. Ended up going to the federal pen for a hate crime. I don't recall any of my neighbors defending their actions. And while we only have a few blacks in our HS, a couple years ago, the prom king was black. I think it's a generational thing that's improving. It would probably still be a culture shock to someone from CA though.

Red necks do like to ride their ATV's on their property, destroying the grass, and they always seem to have a herd of scruffy dogs, and  a lot of flimsy hand made structures and dead vehicles on their properties, but I've been to other parts of the country that have similar folks living there, they just have different nicknames for them there.

[wyouser]

Don't forget about us! Rural? No people? Not a single state in the union has fewer folks than Wyoming. The two biggest burgs in the state barely top 50,000 each (Casper and Cheyenne) We are in the top 3 as least taxed states to live in. Some will cough and choke but no, you don't need a permit to carry concealed firearms. From a hill just above town you can see the Bighorn Mt Range 158 miles to the west. Actually a common comment from folks travelling through and getting a good view of the country from atop a mountain is usually a "gasp" followed by a "where the hell are any people"

[Robert not Bobby]

Apr 14, 2015 16:10:23 GMT -5 Sum Dum Gai said:

Anyone here done it? We're thinking about looking for a nice quiet place to start prepping for the zombie apocalypse (not really, but it's a cool side benefit) once the kids are out of the house. We still have four years and change before we'd pull the trigger. We want 5+ acres to garden in, maybe get a few animals. Loop wants to make goat cheese and be a beekeeper. I want to take up blacksmithing, some woodworking, and have a little beer brewing shack.

We're thinking Oregon or Washington. For those who have done it, or thought about it, where would you move to get away from people?

Sounds Idilic. I/we are still almost 20 years away from that, but I have a lake house (cottage) and I can't stay up there more than about two weeks at a time before I start getting really restless...I'm no blacksmith but am pretty handy with wood. You will need many things to keep your mind and body active...or you may just want to look at the sunrises and sunsets?

We are all different, but before you decide that a quieter life is for you...try to live it. It it fits your temperament and all your other needs, then why not?

[swamp]

I live it. The lack of stuff to do may drive you batty

[Deleted]

Apr 14, 2015 16:31:56 GMT -5 Malarky said:

My parents moved us to East Buttf**k NH when I was ten.  Five miles from town.  Sixteen miles from the high school.   Twenty miles from a movie theater or decent pizza.  

While there were some things I liked about it, I ran back to civilization as an adult.  

I like the simple life on vacation.  The rest of the time I need a bit more opportunity for entertainment and the procurement of goods and services.  

I always liken that experience to the theme song from "That 70"s Show".


Hangin' out down the street
The same old thing we did last week
Not a thing to do but talk to you
Not a thing to do out in the street, oh yeah
Read more at www.songlyrics.com/cheap-trick/that-70-s-show-theme-song-lyrics/#kBYJiO0Us02kJ2wY.99

I was born and raised in North Buttf**k and more North Buttf**ck NH. We were in town, such as it was, which was mostly Main Street. To the left, about 20 miles, was Maine, to the right, about 80 miles or so, was Vermont. A decent sized city with any shopping was 2 and a half hours away. Then, we moved here to this godawful state of MA. I would go back to solitude in a heartbeat but I have to wait for DH to die first and that isn't happening anytime soon unless I kill him.

For some reason though, it won't be back to NH but out to South Dakota. I hate winter but it is absolutely gorgeous in the summer. Of course, the hot bikers, MALE and yes there are some!!!, at Sturgis didn't hurt either.

[swamp]

Apr 15, 2015 20:31:52 GMT -5 Sum Dum Gai said:

Don't forget about us! Rural? No people? Not a single state in the union has fewer folks than Wyoming.

I've been to Cheyenne a few times. First time it was mid February, about 0 degrees without wind chill (-30 or something crazy like that with it), and so windy you couldn't see anything because of all the snow blowing sideways. Kind of ruined the state for me. No tax is cool and all, but they'd need a negative tax rate or to go back to giving away free 180 acre plots of land before I'd consider living there.

You get used to the cold. 

Upstate Ny is gorgeous. And cheap.  And within commuting distance of Canada's bersion of silicon valley. 

[swamp]

Exactly. And they serve Labatts on tap.  Oh, and the cafeteria serves poutine. 

[MJ2.0]

I've lived in the Northeast my whole life and I'm still not used to the cold.

[daisy]

I love the rural life.  We live in a town with a population of less than 700, but 30 minutes to the capital and Milwaukee is less than 2 hours away.  We have 15 acres, no neighbors closer than 500 yards away, in fact that's only on the one side.  The pond in my avatar is in the back yard and it's big enough to row boat around.  If I were more ambitious we'd have chickens and horses but we like popping away for a few days too much to tie ourselves to the house that much.  Dogs and barn cats are enough of a responsibility.  WI property taxes are high enough that we will probably retire to TN and buy 100 acres and really be able to stretch out!

That said, as we age I might reconsider distance to a major city to be closer to a paramedic ambulance service.  DH can be accident prone, plus neither of us is getting more agile in our aging process. 

[skubikky]

Apr 15, 2015 20:54:56 GMT -5 swamp said:

Exactly. And they serve Labatts on tap.  Oh, and the cafeteria serves poutine. 

Laissez les bon temps rouler bebe!

[Deleted]

Apr 15, 2015 22:16:19 GMT -5 @tbird said:

Apr 15, 2015 12:40:35 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

Ok.  I'm all country and not much freaks me out critter-wise,  I can be out with coyotes howling all around and not give it a second thought, but I did kind of get the willies the other night.  I was out for my walk.  Pitch dark, no moon.  I start hearing the sound of something running on the blacktop.  Something with claws.  Like a dog going across the hardwood floor kind of sound.   Running.  Fast.  Towards me. 

I figured whatever it was didn't know I was there, so I turned around and yelled "GO HOME".  Whatever it was went away.

Isn't that the start of a stephen king novel?

Sure seemed like it.

[happyhoix]

Apr 16, 2015 8:19:05 GMT -5 minnesotapaintlady said:

Apr 15, 2015 22:16:19 GMT -5 @tbird said:

Isn't that the start of a stephen king novel?

Sure seemed like it.

Naw, i it was a Stephen King novel, it wouldn't have stopped following.

[Firebird]

Move to Oregon, we love it here. And despite rumors, I've barely seen any rain here - let alone any of that white stuff you despise.

[Jaguar]

I was born in a small town, but I don't know if I could live in one. I like the vibrancy of the city.

[CarolinaKat]

Apr 14, 2015 18:29:59 GMT -5 sarcasticgirl said:

I couldn't do it. I nearly lost my mind living in the suburbs. I need the city!! However Washington is gorgeous!

Sent from my Nexus 10

LOL I nearly lost my mind living in the city. Yuck!

[Abby Normal]

Apr 22, 2015 13:35:43 GMT -5 Firebird said:

Move to Oregon, we love it here. And despite rumors, I've barely seen any rain here - let alone any of that white stuff you despise.

When did you move here?  We've had atypical years recently. Especially this last winter.  Summer is going to be miserable with no snow pack.

I'm starting to miss the rain. 

[muttleynfelix]

Apr 15, 2015 12:27:16 GMT -5 steph08 said:

Apr 15, 2015 11:00:20 GMT -5 MJ2.0 said:

I would be more scared living in the boonies than a city. No thank you... but good luck!

What's so scary about the boonies?

Property crime was getting out of control where we use to live. Even with half the houses on the street having a SAHP the other houses were still hit.

I liked living in the country, but I don't feel like I gave up much for all I gained on my move into town. I think DH misses things about the country, but I don't miss the min of 3 hrs of yard work each Saturday. Or going through a tank of gas every week. Maybe I'll feel different in 20 years, but after a month, living in town is suiting me qay more than I ever expected. It helps that I am at the end of a cul-de - sac that has a ton of kids and the big kids really look after the little ones. And no one thinks you are delinquent when your 2 yr old runs barefoot across the cul-de-sac when you thought she was playing inside.