There is a website entitled "Where Should I Live?" which narrows down one's ideal city (it's always a city) based on various criteria such as nature, climate, demographics, transportation, politics, food, size, and cost of living. For those looking to relocate, it helps narrow down what part of the country would be most amenable to one's particular preferences.
But always remember, perfection isn't possible. When we bought our property in late 2020, it was the height of the pandemic lockdowns and rural properties were being snatched up fast. We knew our new place wasn't perfect, but it hit many of the marks we had on our bucket list. We decided to bloom where we were planted, and have been very happy here since.
These factors came to mind recently when Don spotted a post on a "Homesteaders for Beginners" page in which a woman was looking for ... perfection.
The image is a little hard to see, so I transcribed the wish list. Her requirements include:
• Affordable housing
• Lots of jobs to offer
Bonus for:
• Pagan-friendly/accepting
• More small-town feel
• Generally kind respectful people
• Homeschool friendly
• Homestead friendly
She absolutely did NOT want to consider the following states:
• Washington
• Oregon
• California
• Florida
• Arizona
• New York
Later, she added more information as follows (edited slightly for grammar, spelling, punctuation):
"I grew up Mormon and don't mind church folk, but as an adult I'm more of a closet pagan and rather keep to myself anyway, so again not a requirement. Would just be a nice bonus. To get on my feet, I need to be able to find a job and find affordable housing. But the end game is buying land to start a homestead. I just don't want a place that's miserable dying heat like six months out of the year. I have a mixed stepdaughter, so want her welcomed in whatever place we make home. I already barely socialize due to social anxiety, but it would be great to find an accepting community to be a part of, but again more than happy to stay on our land and ignore our neighbors if needed. I've grown up in Washington and lived in Idaho [and] Oregon, and just plain sick of the PNW [Pacific Northwest]. I have always wanted the small-town farm life and I just want to find a place to make that happen."
Ironically, it sounds like her ideal community would be somewhere in Western Oregon or Western Washington (west of the Cascades). However given the states she absolutely does not want to consider, I'm a bit stymied where she might settle that would fill all her other criteria.
I sincerely hope what this nascent homesteader realizes is perfection doesn't exist. Some places might get close, yes; but most of us do better by blooming where we're planted.
Her list has "Fairbanks, Alaska" written all over it....Affordable housing might be a few miles out of town but relaxed zoning makes it available.
ReplyDeleteThere are not generally "lots of jobs" in a small town with affordable housing. Life is about compromise and sacrifice for the values you most cherish. As the saying goes, opportunity is often missed because it comes dressed in overalls and looks like work.
ReplyDelete"Pagan-friendly" and proactively anticipating racism/discrimination?? I agree, sounds like she needs to be coastal. (Eureka, CA?)
As the bumper sticker says, don't California my Idaho.
Let me guess....she has white-girl dreads.
ReplyDeleteIsn't it wonderful that there are places for everyone? Personally, I enjoy mountains and a little bit of space with a nearby smaller city for fun events and community. I have friends who dream of owning a hut on a island beach and others who imagine their destiny in the vast opportunities of the cities. Others are working towards emigration to new lands and welcoming cultures. We are blessed to have such a wide range of life to experience, and to have a certain amount of choice in living. Absolutely bloom where you are planted, but there is nothing wrong with seeking another plot of dirt if your find yourself wilting where you are.
ReplyDeleteHubby and I both said "Vermont?" when I read her wish list. Maybe she can start a pagan commune up there!
ReplyDeleteMM
When we were looking for a rural place to go we also had some criteria. I was the one looking on the internet and would map out an area and my husband would do the driving and determine the criteria. His main thing was a house that was only one level, no stairs in any way shape or form and preferably no dirt road. My criteria was that I prayed to God and truly let go, I didn't care so long as it was away from city/suburb and I would accept living in a trailer if that was where he wanted me. Note, I have a loathing of mobile and trailer homes. So one place we found I liked, top of a hill, nice looking double wide on a flat area, fenced corral with barn and many possibilities. Problem dirt road to get there. So when we hit on the place we are in now and as we drove up to it my husband exclaimed, "this is it". Yes the road leading to it is paved, it is on a hill, it also had a dirt driveway (about 3-4 hundred feet). I looked in astonishment due to it being a 2 story house with a basement (lots of stairs). I was not a happy camper due to me having to look for only one type of house which of course reduced many locations. The only reason I had brought him here was for him to see and experience just how far it would be from our existing city in order for him to work and visit family. Just a sample and it was it. The paperwork and signing of everything took less than a month and I felt a kick in the behind from God that this is where he wanted me. I have yet to figure out why but it is the only time in my life that I have bonded with a community (we are 74). It is like an extended family. If you make too many requirements for a new location chances are you will not find it. The same with a mate. Let God handle things and truly let go and you will end up in the right place.
ReplyDelete