West Coast move

We did the math and (as bad as the economy is) figure I can retire from my day job in 3 years.  Our human kids are on the west coast and we'd like to be within a days drive so we're thinking Northern California, Oregon, Southern Washington, northwestern Nevada.  Anyone have any suggestions as to what areas we might start looking for at least 5 acres of land for our tiny herd at reasonable prices?  

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  • We haven't moved yet...we will move when I retire - still have 3 years to go.  I used to live in Washington state and have been to Yelm...nice country!  But we're getting old and want to be closer to our kids, so southern Oregon is probably as far north as we want to go.  We can afford to invest in the land now and build later...but right now, I'm having problems even getting any real estate folks to get back to us...guess if you aren't in their office with cash in hand they don't want to be bothered.
  • Genny, I see this conversation happened in August and I'm not sure if you've already moved, BUT I bought 5.13 acres here in Yelm/Rainier, WA for 40K.. It was a steal.. Deals like it pop-up here and there, but my family and goats love it here.. Yeah, we may not have a HOT Summer, but we don't have freezing Winters and when you have to work on your land, the hot Summers aren't really all that.. Goat poop, children, and workers smell better in a mild climate.. We also have an awesome view of Mt. Rainier... Top THAT northern California!! Lol..

  • I've looked around Ashland (love Shakespeare!) and I already know we can't afford that.  I like Grants Pass...that may be another place to look.  Thanks!
  • I'd say your best bet for your money is southern Oregon. Not in the Ashland area, because it's a pricey area, but anywhere in or near Medford or Grants Pass. I think your most promising area would be north of Grants Pass in the smaller towns surrounding it.
  • southern oregon may be your best bet on price - I would be surprised to find something affordable in N. CA - but you never know - do some searching online - you could also contact a realtor and let them know what you are looking for - they're pretty hungry right now - but you can do some research online - I just would stear clear of the wetter areas - wow, like Eugene - where I am LOL

     

  • We've been to Idaho, beautiful, but the drive wouldn't work.  Looking for something within a 10-hour drive North or Northeast  from San Francisco.  I used to live in Seattle and it took 14 hrs to get to SF so I suspect we won't go any further north than Portland.  Have a friend in Reno, but he says the type of land we're looking for is not cheap.  Right now we're just looking for land with pasture and trees...prices are only going up so if we invest in the land now we can wait to build in 3 years.   I dream of building a really functional goat barn   :)
  • I think Idaho has some beautiful land, but you didn't mention it in your note. =)  I would guess N Cal to be more pricey and Nevada to be the most affordable, but that is just a guess...  What type of things are you looking for in your new home?  Will you be building or looking for something already built?  How far do you want to be from your human kids?  

    Sounds like fun!

     

  • Yep. Even between Melissa and our area (about 2 hours south in OR) the summers are longer and hotter. We also get just a touch of snow in the winter (about 2-3 days of it at most) and are >2 hours driving time from the ocean, water ski, cross country ski and others. In Oregon, even a couple hours can mean a totally different climate.

    Melissa Johnson said:
    Coming from the Southern U.S. myself - I sorely miss the sunshine.  I am in Willamette Valley Oregon - Eugene and 2 months of summer is bout it - the winters arent so awfully cold - but mud and rain gets really old.  I would chose a place where there is truly spring, summer and fall.  Northern California would be alot warmer and maybe Southern Oregon - as far as warm weather.  Granted, humidity wont be missed, but the sun will.  My advice is choose wisely..... ^^
  • Coming from the Southern U.S. myself - I sorely miss the sunshine.  I am in Willamette Valley Oregon - Eugene and 2 months of summer is bout it - the winters arent so awfully cold - but mud and rain gets really old.  I would chose a place where there is truly spring, summer and fall.  Northern California would be alot warmer and maybe Southern Oregon - as far as warm weather.  Granted, humidity wont be missed, but the sun will.  My advice is choose wisely..... ^^
  • I lived in Seattle for 5 years and I've been to Spokane several times, but I've never explored mid-west Washington...I'll check that out.  Thanks!

     

    Love your profile photo...looks exactly like my little guy Seamus!

    --genny

    Janelle Qualey said:

    I live in Western Washington.  My husband and I plan on moving to Montesano, Elma area one day.  It's has a lot of beautiful farm land in that area and that area is very reasonably priced!  You can mapquest it, it's in the mid-west of Washington.  Anyway, I wish you luck.

     

    -Janelle Qualey

    acafarm.webs.com  Home of Nigerian Dwarf Dairy Goats

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