For those who are having a housing crisis....here's a suggestion

[Neecy]

At the beginning of this year, I bought a house in a small town in SE Kansas. The bones of the house are good - foundation, roof, plumbing and electrical - but it needed some updating and paint and elbow grease. I have a huge yard and I just put in an organic garden.

I paid less for it than you'd pay for a good used car.

I'm moved in now, and despite some misgivings about living in GOP-land I have to say I love it. I've always lived in big cities and this is definitely a new experience for me. People have been incredibly welcoming and I'm enjoying the lack of traffic (there isn't a stoplight in the entire county), the clean air, and the very laid-back lifestyle. Yeah, I'll get bored at some point but for now I'm finding it very stress-free.

What's striking is how many other transplants I've met here so far. One of my neighbors just moved here from Oregon - another from Florida - and my new best friend from the hardware store (I've patronized him a LOT with the rehabbing I've done) says that another family from California just arrived. Here, in the middle of nowhere. I can't wait to meet my fellow Californians.

I've read a number of posts here lately about people who are having problems keeping their heads above water. I'd suggest checking out the rural communities in your states, because there are definitely bargains to be had. USDA also has a number of rural development programs that you might qualify for. Employment here varies - if your field is in health care you'll definitely find a job, the town and county employs a lot of people, but look at each area and see what the employment centers are. You'll make less but it costs less to live here. My property taxes alone represent a huge savings from the city. Try to pick a rural area that's within a reasonable drive to some kind of large town - it's a half an hour for me to Bartlesville, OK where I can find stuff that I can't buy locally. And don't be afraid of Republicans, because I've found that they don't bite, even if you're a Democrat.

Just a heads-up for people looking for some solution to the current economy.

[DKRC]

1. Congratulations on your new home!

If you don't know about Countryside magazine already here's the link: http://www.countrysidemag.com/



It's written by the people doing the gardening, raising the animals, repairing the buildings on their land, then formatted/edited so each issue is well rounded.

[Neecy]

3. looks interesting, thanks for the link

I'm not quite living that much off the land, but I'm certainly looking forward to the results of my garden this year. I've also found an organic farm in the next town over that sells all kinds of fruits and vegetables around the summer, so if nothing else I'll be healthy!

[murray hill farm]

2. I so agree.

I will be leaving Brunswick, GA (about 40 miles north of Jacksonvill, FL) on May 20th with all my worldly belongings , my dog and myself in a U Haul pulling my car behind. I am moving to Cove, AR (population 402)to live on my little farm of 10 acres with just a shell of a house completed. I know that I will never be sorry...and am looking very much forward to that simple life that awaits..at least after the house is completed..ha! I am a single woman of 68 years and I am doing this alone, but I wll be able to live well within my means with no real debt...which is mighty appealing. If I can do this, anyone can...and yes, no matter how red an area, there are always pockets of Democrats to meet. We are everywhere!!!!!!

[Neecy]

4. Hey, we're almost neighbors!

My town is a little bigger - about a thousand people - but you're right, I've already found some Democrats here.

10 acres is awesome. What are your plans for it?

[Robb]

5. As someone who lived in a small (800 or so) town for a decade...

...I applaud your move, and congrats. :)

You're probably finding out it's a good life, and can be affordable, but it's by no means "simple" to live in a small community. :D

[Neecy]

6. I'm finding that out

Little things that you take for granted elsewhere - like, say, a decent car mechanic - are few and far between. I'm not wild about driving half an hour on a rural highway to get light bulbs that I can't find in town. But so far most of these are inconveniences rather than obstacles.