Not really a tractor question but seeking opinions

[mred2]

I am still about 5 years away from retiring. We have about 200 acres, old family property. My wife does not like most people, no parties. We like to be away from things, but shopping is only about 20 minutes away. Work is currently about 20 minutes away. Our biggest problem is all the people building next door. If we only had 20 acres, I think I would move.

 

[fried1765]

I wasn't really sure where to put this so please tell me if I need to move it. I haven't started many threads here but I read this forum several times a day and am always impressed with the knowledge and advice given, so I am seeking that by posting this question.

My wife and I currently have about 22 acres, (about 6 in woods) just minutes from two towns, population 18K-40K. We both work full time, one of us in each town. I can retire in less than 5 years with a pension and my wife can do the same in less than that. We are both 50 and thanks to wife's deceased parents, two pensions, and a frugal lifestyle, financially stable.

We have found a large amount of land about an hour away from our current location that is mostly mature hardwood and pines. In other words, if we purchased this land, we could begin harvesting some of the timber. Additionally, the land has all of the "dream fulfillers) we both long for (2 ponds, beautiful spring fed creek, all utilities, beautiful views, trail network, lots of wildlife, hunting cabin, equipment shed). Our plans would be to eventually build a small house (youngest son is 2 yrs from HS graduation), sell this place (which is very desirable due to location) and move to the "middle of nowhere."

It seems this place could serve several purposes: the land has more to offer than we could have ever imagined, it would produce both immediate and long term income (timber, renting for hay, hunting, etc, if we chose to do so, any supplemental farming we could do), be a "legacy" place our two kids could build there if they chose to, an investment and tax write off (create LLC to run through existing trust), etc. In other words, this place "checks all of the boxes" except for not having a house, and finally, with the risk of becoming too political, sustain us if the economy collapses. Also, we can afford it now and will be able to even more when we sell this place and move there full time.

My questions are this: How many of you have moved to a place where you are, if you choose to do so, completely isolated from other people? We are not very social people other than family, church and work but this would be a whole different experience from what we have known. Secondly, for those with experience, is timber harvesting as profitable and sustainable as I have been told and read about? Third, realizing you have very little information to make this decision, if you had an opportunity like this, would you do it?

This is not a "tractor" post but I have spent countless hours on this forum and even though I don't personally know any of you, I probably value the opinions and advice from here more than people I know (no hidden agendas!!). T

Thank you in advance.

GO FOR IT......and don't look back !!!

 

[oosik]

The wife and I lived in Alaska for 17 years - 1965 until 1982. We could have easily retired in Alaska except for one thing. It's was NOT the cold - it was the LENGTH of the winter. So we moved down to this property here in North Ea WA state. It's 80 acres - 12 miles from a small college town, 25 miles from a large town. The property is one mile off the county road and our nearest neighbor - five miles away. I have everything I could ever want. Privacy, a ten acre lake that's 80 feet deep and more wildlife than I can handle at times.

We've been here since 1982 and we simply love it. I would strongly suggest you go for the larger chunk of land. We have learned to "become one" with our land.

 

[dodge man]

A few comments.

I would not count on the land for much income. Loggers will tear the heck out of it, and unless a big chunk of it is good tillable you’re won’t get a lot there. If it does have a lot of valuable timber there might be some value there but a logger will have to tell you.

It is an hour from where you are at now, that is not that far of a drive.

I retired at age 58 a few months ago and so did my wife, it is everything I hoped it would be.

Get the land, it sounds like exactly what you want, just keep in mind how much a house will cost. The price has a way of growing.

 

[PILOON]

Quote----"coming to this area since late 80's... we were always outsiders."

Know the feeling, been here since '57 and they called us 'squatters'.

I responded at a counsel meeting 'we pay taxes' squatters don't.

Another time they were doing a bylaw to finance sewers or water and we were to pay even though it was city core and of no use to us.
Answer was everybody had to help.
GREAT, said I, so everybody will help pay for the road we don't have (we boated in as no road),
OH BOY, hemmed and hawed and a counselor suggested modifying the bylaw, and did.

LOL, I ran for counsel once (later years) and could have got in but the opposition was so scared they put two opponents to split up the votes.
Came within a few % of seating.

 

[WW2017]

Been home for about an hour now. Property turned out to be even better than we expected. Trail network is overgrown so I already see I'm going to need a much bigger tractor and possibly a dozer or mini ex!!! MIRE TOYS! All in the future. We are putting an offer on it this weekend. Old family farm that is EXTREMELY secluded, about 3/4 mile off county road on a tree lined drive, two very secure locked gates. State conservation area just down the road, all other homes in road well maintained farms with what appears to be large tracts of land, probably good country people. Low water bridge over amazing creek is going to need work. Currently, if water gets up, we're not getting out of there without a helicopter . Agent seemed very knowledgeable about the timber as he had about 200 acres logged a few years ago. In his "spare" time, he runs a 540 acre cattle farm with his Dad. Suggested paying for a Forester to help us manage the timber in a responsible and sustaining manner. He said it did not seem too unreasonable to expect 100-200K in timber over the next 10 years, but will wait for Foresters opinion, as I realize agent is also a salesman! Appreciate all of the great advice and input. As I said in the OP, I trust the people responding and it is in line with everything else I'm being told. Will keep this group posted as to how things develop with the offer. God's blessings and protection to each of you. Thanks.

 

[newbury]

<snip>
My questions are this: How many of you have moved to a place where you are, if you choose to do so, completely isolated from other people? We are not very social people other than family, church and work but this would be a whole different experience from what we have known. Secondly, for those with experience, is timber harvesting as profitable and sustainable as I have been told and read about? Third, realizing you have very little information to make this decision, if you had an opportunity like this, would you do it?

<snip>

First - My wife and I are doing similar, just older.
It's almost Utopia, but that's another thread
Second - Timber CAN be profitable, then the bottom drops out of the market, or beetles infest, or a fire runs through, etc.
Third - see First

 

[MossRoad]

Well, back in 1989 we bought 20 acres for $30K. Two years later, we had an offer for $60K. Today, $120-130K. As the realtor told us back then, "God isn't making any more land." He had a point. Land only goes up in price. Even if you never build on it, it's an investment for you or your children. Consider it part of a diverse portfolio. If you can afford it, buy it. Eventually, as with most places, civilization will creep towards it. In 20 years, it'll be closer to amenities.

I agree that you should get a consulting forester to do a timber survey of your property, and develop a management plan. We did that with our 20 acres. It had 10 acres of existing trees, a 4 acre field, and a 6 acre field. The state forester developed a management plan for us free of charge. DO NOT TRUST LOGGERS!!! That's been an overwhelming theme on TBN for the 19 years I've been here, so there's probably something to it. Only trust a forester. Better yet, a State Forester. They work for you.

 

[sodamo]

Sounds like an exciting adventure ahead.

In 2005 wife and I left a little house on a small triangular plot inside the Perimeter in Atlanta for 21 bare acres on Big Island Hawaii - might consider that an extreme switch at extreme distance. I was only 58, wife a few years younger. Had built a 640sf shed for us, the 2 cats, and 2 dogs and some our stuff. Started building our house in 2006, moved in 2007. We are 30 minutes to town depending on conditions, 90 miles the other direction to Costco. Here we are completely off grid except satellite services. I’m on my 3rd tractor. I tell everyone I don’t need to pack for next move, just scatter my ashes in the pet cemetery amongst my best friends.

I think you’re on the right track as long as you don’t over pay. Have fun.

 

[Monster5601]

realizing you have very little information to make this decision, if you had an opportunity like this, would you do it?

One of the goals in life, lying on your deathbed not wishing you would have ...