In what is gradually becoming a way of living, knowing how to choose the best state for homesteading has taken the front seat among preppers and Americans fed up with the seemingly unending dependence on the Government. “Homesteader” is becoming the new fancy word to add in social media bios and author’s biography.
Why The Sudden Interest in Homesteading?
It is easy to think that the interest in homesteading started very recently but so is it very wrong. Man has never liked to be reliant on things he can’t control. The early pioneers were core homesteaders who preached and practiced self-reliance everywhere they went.
You can be forgiven by taking luxuries like good water and a stable electricity supply for granted. They are good things, no doubt, but they also cause you to be overly confident of your survivability. People who have realized this have developed an itchy back for the simplicity that characterized life before now.
To such persons, homesteading is the best way man could live. However, you don’t have to look too far to find people who believe that homesteading is a step backward, and we know how much man hates to know he’s regressive.
If you belong to the latter group of people, you are mistaken. Homesteading is the lifestyle to adopt for a deeply reaching sense of peace and tranquility, which are the feelings that come with self-sustainability. There’s no better chance to optimize available natural resources and break away from the city’s ceaseless buzzing.
Considerations for Choosing the Best State for Homesteading
There are various states that suit homesteading, but each has its distinct cultures, laws, and general aura. Every core has its unique core.
To determine which is best for you, you only need to be sure how you want your homestead. If what you want is an oasis in the desert, Arizona or Texas would be best. If quiet mountains and plenty of water sources are preferable, Oregon or Tennessee may be best. And if you are a sucker for the classic greenery forests, then there are surely other states to check out.
However, you cannot just select a state because of how you imagine it to be. There are other factors that you have to consider. Proper evaluation of these factors can get you the jackpot: a homesteading- and SHTF-friendly state.
Let’s see what and what to consider when choosing a homesteading state.
More Relaxed State Laws
The major benefits of adopting homesteading is the freedom and self-reliance that come with not having to depend on societal luxuries like city water and electricity. I think the only fact movies portray that’s actually true is that nobody enjoys having the Government checking each of their moves.
State laws are therefore an important consideration, particularly those that dictate what weapon is legal and illegal and how firearms are to be used. The ease of getting construction permits for projects like a rainwater harvesting system have to be considered too.
The total point of this is to escape the Government and society’s scope, so you have to select a state that is not so uptight on the things you can do and not do.
Affordability
Personally, I hold the belief that affordability is a critical consideration of the process. You have to begin by looking at the tax rates of every state you would like to move to. Settling for one which does not demand rocket-high taxes is necessary.
You have to find a competitively priced land or property, too, so you can have more cash for other projects, which may be improving the security system or expanding your new property.
States like California have typically expensive listings, with a few acres running into millions, while only a few listings are affordable. On the other hand, there’s Tennessee which regularly has properties you don’t have to break the bank for.
Natural Resources
To most, readily available resources are the first factor to look at when moving with homesteading in focus. I mean, the major appeal of homesteading is independence and self-sustainability.
There should be plenty of natural water sources like creeks and wells so you don’t have to depend on the city supply, which will defeat the main purpose of everything.
Ponds, creeks, rivers, wildlife, vegetation, and fishing resources must be factored into your search. They are all means to get sufficient water and food naturally from the land and the roaming wildlife. I don’t suppose anyone moving to a homestead would trade reliance on nature for the Government’s regulated facilities.
Climate
The climate of a state affects every citizen of the state, and you, as a homesteader, are not exempted.
Your desired climate has to be considered too. If you’d rather a place that would not demand much winter preparations, Tennessee would trump Alaska (for example).
A state’s natural weather has to be looked at too. How often does it rain or snow? Does the state experience droughts or natural disasters? These are important questions to answer before choosing.
Also, this may include considering your skillset. If you’re better off handling the southern land, you will need some time to learn how to tend to the Alaskan land. Remember that land is critical to homesteading.
Community
Homesteading tends to involve the community sometimes. It is not always something you do alone. Naturalists usually prefer to live within the same city as a big, helpful family.
You thus have to find friendly societies where the norm is not every man for himself. For example, notwithstanding how beautiful it is, California does not encourage togetherness the way that Tennessee does.
Homesteading is an activity that brings people together on its own. It is better that you live in a place where you are not labeled a disturbance when you have to work with others
Conclusion on How to Choose the Best State for Homesteading
The state you set up your homestead in matters a lot in how successful you are at it. Choosing a state that’s entirely averse to self-sustainability will be you shooting yourself in the foot. Now that you’ve read to this stage and know how to choose the best state for homesteading, let’s hear from you. What state do you think is the best for homesteading?