Recently I started "browsing" through the "Land for Sale" ads. Just to see what's out there. There's a really wide variety of land here. A variety of soil types, trees, and micro-climates. Something to suit pretty much anyone! There are tons of books and online articles on the subject, and I'd recommend anyone thinking of investing in land, to start doing some serious reading!
So, what do you do when you're looking for land to live on? I guess it depends on your end goals... a Cottage get away, a Bug Out Location, a Hobby farm or Homestead. In my case, I have a rather particular Wish List.
1. Water. There's got to be easily accessible sources of water. A creek, a river, a pond or small lake. Wells are great, but Wells can run dry. Having another source of water as a backup is important. Especially if you have animals to worry about, as well as yourself.
2. Size. For me, anything smaller than 10 acres is not big enough. 50 would be ideal, but I'm willing to go smaller if I have to. Why? I need the buffer between me and neighboring properties for privacy. So raising animals isn't an issue among other things. Nobody wants to have to deal with neighbors complaining about the sounds and smells your animals make on a daily basis. And frankly, I don't need to have people watch me go about my life. I've had enough of that growing up in the city where everyone's in your business no matter what.
3.Not Visible From/Near a major Highway. Very important to me is not to have the property right off of a highway that gets a lot of traffic. Firstly, for safety of my animals and myself from fast moving vehicles. Secondly, security from Trespassers. Thirdly, noise. I mean, c'mon... you move to the country for peace and quiet, not to listen to the constant "Vrrroommm~whoosh" of trucks and cars blowing by at all hours. Not to mention the annoying flash of headlights in your windows all night long.
4. Varied Topography. I'd like to have a piece of property that's got a little of everything. A nice amount of mature trees, either actual forest or a large woodlot or two. With a nice mix of softwoods and hardwoods throughout. Open areas, either natural meadows or cleared areas that have been allowed to go fallow for a long while. And something that's a little bit rolling and not completely flat.
5.Full Ownership, of Timber Rights/Mineral Rights. Including NO Right-of-Ways or Hydro/Gas/Roadway Easements. I do not want to buy land unless I get everything on it. Period. I don't want Big Brother suddenly showing up and clear-cutting my land or telling me I have no rights to the trees on my property. Or turning it into a giant hole if they suddenly decide there's some kind of metal or mineral under it they want. Or cutting huge lines through it to put down gas pipelines, hydro towers, or god forbid a road.
My ideal piece of land would be something10 acres or larger, near a four-season Town, but not IN it. Where I have access to main roadways but not next to or within sight of it. It would have a small creek or river, running into a small pond or lake with fish in it, and a mix of forest/woodlots and meadows/open areas where goat pasture and gardens could be put in without having to cut down too many trees. It would also have a rise or ridge, where the cabin could be built overlooking the area. And as a bonus, some pre-existing architecture would be nice too... like a small barn, sheds, small greenhouse, or even a travel-tailor/camper would be nice.
Now, if I could just find something like that, that doesn't cost so much it'd take the next 20 years to save up for it... that would be nice. *laughs*
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