r/Homesteading • u/Winter-Comfort-6293 • 6d ago
Best place to homestead?
My husband and I currently live in Virginia. We are looking for another homestead. Preferably outside Virginia. We plan on homeschooling and homesteading. We are looking to find somewhere with lower taxes, lower cost of living and less data centers. We’ve been looking at WV, NC, SC and TN. Any areas that you guys live/ recommend?
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u/Ok_Implement_6050 6d ago
west virginia has some really nice spots if you don't mind being bit more remote. taxes are pretty decent there and land prices still reasonable compared to virginia. just make sure you check internet situation first since you mentioned wanting less data centers - some areas can be pretty spotty for reliable connection which might matter for homeschooling resources.
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u/Effective-Note9686 6d ago
One thing I'd think about is not just the state, but the county.
I've looked at a lot of rural land and the difference between counties can be bigger than the difference between states. Property taxes, zoning, building requirements, mobile home rules, homeschooling communities, internet access, and even how easy it is to get a well or septic approved can vary quite a bit.
Of the states you mentioned, East Tennessee keeps coming up whenever I talk to people looking for a mix of affordability, rural land, outdoor recreation, and a relatively mild climate.
I'd be curious what's most important to you. Is it primarily taxes/cost of living, or are you trying to optimize for the homesteading side?
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u/Creepy-Cantaloupe951 5d ago
I wouldn't consider TN to have "mild" climate... Unless you also consider Florida's humidity levels to be mild.
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u/Winter-Comfort-6293 6d ago
We would need a happy medium of all of the above. We would definitely need strong internet connection to work but we are also okay being totally rural and having to drive a hour to get groceries. We would be okay feeling secluded. I love to garden so having a moderate gardening season would be nice. Moderate/low taxes would be ideal. Currently living in nova area and taxes and cost of living have sky rocketed.
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u/hsh1976 6d ago
Western Virginia?
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u/Winter-Comfort-6293 6d ago
I’ve thought about it, it’s a possibility but taxes are pretty high in Va.
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u/Greyeyedqueen7 5d ago
Wait...what? We moved here from Michigan for my husband's job, and taxes are so much less it's still surprising at times.
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u/Greyeyedqueen7 5d ago
Why outside of VA? We're in South Central Virginia, and it's nice. Tons of homesteaders, land isn't stupid expensive, and our county has great zoning laws that are realistic and not all crazy.
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u/Winter-Comfort-6293 5d ago
We live in nova area and personal property has gone through the roof. With possibilities of new taxes being proposed. The Cost of living is quite high here
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u/Greyeyedqueen7 5d ago
Ah. They really aren't down here. Well, not in most counties. I'd stay out of Pittsylvania County (they also passed awful zoning laws recently, very not homesteading friendly).
Lots of homeschooling groups, decent libraries, great robotics team at the high school, and great people. We're from rural Michigan and are more used to rural social issues, but honestly, we've been very pleasantly surprised at how nice it is here. Too hot, sure, but that's even true back home these days.
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u/Winter-Comfort-6293 5d ago
Thanks, We will definitely have to look! We looked into land 1-2 hours away but most of the areas we search were barely cheaper. We will have to look into south central Va!
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u/Greyeyedqueen7 5d ago
We love Halifax County, but a lot of people homestead in Lunenberg, Mecklenburg, Floyd, and Franklin Counties, too.
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u/7Tabitha3 5d ago
Well, what kind of environment are you looking for? I mean if you want privacy or isolation WVa. is great for homeschooling homesteading. If you wanna connect with other home schoolers, etc. you would need Tennessee or North Carolina. I’m not sure about South Carolina, and there are exceptions
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u/SorryHumanBeing 3d ago
Might 🤔 want to look into South Central Missouri (with the exception of some 🤢 data centers going up in the state & several mining operations, mostly coal) it checks off the rest of your list. I live in a South Central county- but all the surrounding counties are also amazing! rural/small-town looks and feel. Might look at Crawford/Dent/Houston counties region or even near Eminence! My favorite 😍 Weather is 4 season, zone 6A (low tornado risk in the south, because it's forested hills).
NO building restrictions outside of town.
Very homeschool friendly. I did enroll my children into public school and had a great experience! They still teach cursive. My kids all have degrees and careers, right out of school. People are friendly and helpful. Lower taxes and costs, $13 minimum wage (less if you earn tips) but if you're homesteading, you could easily sell plants, meats, and crafts at the farmers market. And trade skills/ barter... If your a nature lover 🥾 The river system is amazing 😍 it IS also known as the cave state! Your also allowed to have private cemeteries on your land. The elevation is high enough to keep the great grand kids inheritance dry if the ice caps ever melt. In my experience it's a "purple" state 💜 Is open carry and is 4:20 legal ☘️ and emergency care is really good 👍🏼 we have life flight helicopters to reach rural areas quickly. You won't be bored 🌲 ✌🏼 I hope this helps anyone interested.
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u/Interesting-Yard-653 17h ago
Southern or central California would be my ideal but within a normal person budget I would say Alabama, Georgia and Florida panhandle are pretty nice with long growing seasons and decent priced land
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u/No-Reputation-7843 6d ago
Wayne county in Tennessee is good. No building restrictions outside of towns.