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I get an email about once a month that runs somewhere along the lines of this: "I am a student/mother/just getting out of the military/retired, and I want to get out of the city. Where is somewhere that is inexpensive and has low taxes?"
I have always done so much research and replied to these emails to the best of my ability, but these questioners are never happy with my answers. The trouble is that there are simply too many options and these are not idyllic, cheap or perfect. What you see on the internet advertised as 'cheap land' is not good land for homesteading. It is logged, or has been mined or is some of the worst desert. Many times these properties are not sold like regular properties and you will not hold the title until you pay it off, and even then you may not hold the mineral or even the water rights.
It is very difficult to generalize what is the best and cheapest area to buy land for homesteading. I personally opted for one of the most expensive places to live in Canada, because it is an island, and very beautiful and green. In every state you will find rural areas that are cheaper than other areas, but this is because they are more likely to be economically depressed, which means that it will be harder to find a job to support your rural lifestyle. That being said, I am going to write a list of places that I would recommend as a starting point in your quest in looking for rural paradise, and I am going to generalize greatly:
Go West: The western US is still hugely underpopulated compared to the east. This is partly because of climate. Wyoming, North and South Dakota and eastern Montana can be incredibly cheap but also very dry and very cold. Texas is warmer and also has some very cheap land, but can still be a bit dry. If you go all the way to the coast however, real estate prices skyrocket again.
Drive around in hillbilly country: Ok, I'm sorry if you live in these states, but remember, I am generalizing. Tennessee and Arkansas have wonderful real estate opportunities if you can support yourself. Don't expect to make a living there farming.
Drive about two hours from your city into the middle of nowhere: If you feel like you are in the middle of nowhere, then real estate prices will be less. If you find yourself in a tourist trap, real estate will be high. BUT, tourist traps are awesome for making a living from your land. Most people who drive out of the city on the weekend are ready and willing to spend lots of money on farm goods and products.
Immigrate to an underpopulated country: Canada has lots of open spaces, and I mean lots. But don't move here because that's what I love about Canada. I would suggest looking into a more primitive place like Costa Rica or Venezuela. Yes, some Central American countries are unstable and the site of an American can be more than dangerous, but some are havens for those who want to get away. Research these little countries and be open minded to a little adventure.
Visit some eco-villages: There are thousands of little eco-villages all over the world which give people the opporunity to live the lifestyle that they desire with very little investment, and the added bonus of a group of people who share your values. Type that phrase into Google or check out my links for resources on this.
Ah, I so wish that I had some kind of psychic connection to the real estate market. Then I could say, "In the next few months land on the outskirts of Ypsilanti will be dropping!"
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