I just came into a lot of money. Where should I buy hunting/retirement land???

[dfaugh]

Options

Based on what you've said, you now have quite a few options---as mentioned by several other posters.

If' I were you, assuming you own property in PRNJ (which is some "high priced" stuff.) and have a bunch of extra cash, there's lots of places you could relocate to. On first glance they may not seem such a deal, as you're not gonna make the same kinda money you may make in NJ. But by choosing somehat carefully you can get something nice in several areas of the country.

5 years ago, I bought a place on the "fringe" of a metropolitan area. 10 acres of land, a barn and a large house (all my neighbors have similar properties, so no crowding). Isolated, to some extent, but right down the road from a large mall, the expressway, etc. Since then they've built alot of relatively expensive houses in the area, just south of me. I paid 138,000, just had it appraised for $210,000. Hard to lose money on real estate, if its in the right area.

 

[Terrill]

Like most, I favor the spot I'm in now. While I live in Charlotte NC, I have about 1200 acres in the foothills just two hours away. Within another five years my wife and I will build up there and let the rest of the world go it's own way. I travel a good bit but coming home is always nice.

 

[TallPine]

you could buy my place and take possession in thirty years...

 

[roo_ster]

Flee NJ

If I was in your position, I would use the cash to flee NJ and set up elsewhere.

Hokay, ifn' you want my advice, I think I'll "go negative" first off. What I mean is, make up a list of thiings that qualify/disqualify a state/area from consideration & cross off those that don't qualify. I'll demostrate:
1. Must have liberal* CCW
2. Must have decent topography (hills, water, trees, etc). No low desert or flat plains.
3. Low state taxes (combined sales, property, & income)
3.a. "Agricultural" property tax discount down to near-nothing (make an arrangement with a neighbor to put your land to some use: grazing, hay, etc.) while you are not retired.
4. Low population density.
5. Out of "growth path." For example, US75 north of Dallas is a growth path all the way to Okla-freaking-homa. In 20 years, any land you buy along it will be surrounded by strip malls & Starbucks. Or, anywhere along I-35 through Texas.
6. Average to above average rainfall for USA.
7. etc.


The cool thing about the USA is that most states have something going for them.

* In the true sense of the word.

 

[Bubbles]

+1 on the suggestion to purchase property adjacent to a national forest or other protected land. Otherwise today's rural retreat could be exurbia in 30 years.

Make sure to:

- check that there is a building site that perks,
- check that the well water in the area is typically good quality,
- investigate the summer and winter weather extremes to see if you can deal with them,
- investigate the local and state tax structures in the area (think fixed income retiree). Thirty years is a long time to plan, but I'd bet that decades from now CA, NJ, and NY residents will still be paying more to their local governments than the rest of us.
- make sure there will be no restrictions on you building your vacation/retirement home on the land, if that's what you want to do.

Good luck and take your time with your purchase. There's no hurry.

 

[Tropical Z]

I'd look at Utah,northeastern Texas and Arkansas.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I'd look at Utah,northeastern Texas and Arkansas.

In Arkansas, try the area where you can hunt elk (Northwest, centering around Newton County). The law allows landowners to hunt without drawing a tag -- but they close the hunt when the quota is reached.

 

[Kentucky]

I am one person who would lean toward the Alaska/Montana camp, as I live in Tennessee and I find it too crowded!

BTW, I also work for a Log Home and Timberframe company. If you are serious about building Post & Beam (or log) email me and I will send you some info.

 

[HankB]

Having grown up in Chicago and worked in Minnesota, I've had more than enough winter to last me a lifetime, so I'd head somewhere warm, with little or no snow . . . even when it gets hot, I don't have to shovel 18" of sunshine off my driveway.

I'd consider the Texas hill country, somewhere west of the Dallas - Waco - Austin - San Antonio corridor. Less humidity than points east.

Been to AZ a couple of times on business . . . there are some nice areas around Tucson on the edge of the Sonoran desert. Hot in summer, but low humidity.

Heard good things about New Mexico, too . . .

I'd look for places with hills & such, not flatlands, lowlands, or places prone to flooding & hurricanes.

But if I had "a lot" of money, I'd move out of NJ entirely.

And I'd do it ASAP.

 

[c_yeager]

I think your really gonna want to do some traveling and get a good idea of a place that offers the climate and geography that you are looking for.

There is a ton of land in Washington that is adjacent to protected areas (huge amounts of national park/forest in this state) but it is pretty remote, of course thats kinda the point.

 

[tellner]

Lots of good suggestions so far. A friend of mine had a similar dilemma. Right now it's a choice between rural Idaho and Northeast Washington on a river near the Canadian border.

Whether you believe that climate change is human-caused or not there's no doubt that over half the US is under drought. Most of Texas and large parts of the Southwest have been in drought for about a decade. The aquifers that supplied the Plains and Southwest are played out. You can't live without water. Mountain Idaho and parts of the Northwest are gun-friendly and have lots enough of the wet stuff. Don't even think of the Prairie states, Arizona, New Mexico, Nevada or similar.

 

[Brian Williams]

Northern PA near Clearfield County.

 

[ServiceSoon]

Good question Knoxx. I am searching too. I am only 23 so possibly a little premature on my search. But real estate is only getting more and more expensive. I found the following tools that I hope you find useful.

This is to help you discover what type of terrain each state has. I have found 100acres of land for 25K. But it is in the middle of nowhere in whiomy with no mineral rights, no trees, and no guarantee for a successful well drill.
http://nmviewogc.cr.usgs.gov/viewer.htm

This one shows the population distribution in the United States.
http://www.census.gov/geo/www/mapGallery/images/2k_night.jpg

That is all the further I have gotten. If you find any good information please send it my way.

A few have suggested buying land next to government owned property. It has its advantages and disadvantages. Keep both in mind. This reminds me of a fact. The Federal government owns ~33% of American land. Kind of crazy.

Oh ya. Don’t forget property tax. That could make or break the deal. How the government can tax the same thing every year is beyond me! That discussion is for a different thread.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

Another thing to cosider is that by and large in rural areas, larger tracts are cheaper per acre than smaller tracts.

I know of several people who bought large tracts that were right at their comfort level in terms of monthly payments -- requiring them to count pennies every month -- and who later sold off part of the land for enought to retire the whole debt.

That's a strategy that just might work for you.

 

[LaEscopeta]

I’m going to buck the trend here and say the Adirondack Mountains in upstate NY. Kind of on the same idea of posts #23 & 30 above, if you buy inside the “blue line” the land around you is not likely to be developed. Part of the draconian control the State government has over individual property rights, it is illegal or extremely difficult to develop private land within most of the Adirondack park boundary. This has kept property prices fairly low for the north east, but I think it would be hard to find a single parcel of 200 Acres. Whitetails are few and far between, but they do grow big up north, and there is some black bear hunting (at least there used to be.) Brown trout and other eating fish are plentiful in some lakes and stream, depending on who else is fishing and the level of acid rain. You will be a lot closer to where you live now, a good thing for trips to your place now, but maybe not the best for your retirement years or some SHTF fantasy. Also, many do not like NY State’s gun laws, but they are not as bad as NYC.

(Some of the info above may be out of date.)

 

[Ludd]

The Adirondack Mountains in NY is a nice place, and prices are low. I spent lots of time there as I grew up. Our place was 10 acres, it was next to the forest preserve, and it was only accessible by a 7 mile boat ride across the lake from the village. Great hunting and fishing. Bears would come up to the lodge if trash was left out, but we never killed them. That is where I would move if I wanted seclusion and good hunting or fishing.

 

[mc223]

I grew up in Kansas, lived in Colorado, moved to Wisconsin. Think I'll stay in Wisconsin.
Bears and deer in the backyard. and all four seasons. Yeah theres cheese, but thats more for the east side. Up north Lakes and not too many people.
Good Luck.

 

[cambeul41]

Do some research via "Best Places"

http://www.bestplaces.net/

 

[BigFatKen]

LOS BANOS!?!?

WHY???

He worked nearby. Notice I said "pity him". Stupid thing to do. Now he changed jobs and moved. The only thing more stupid would be to buy in Hanford for another $600,000 before the Los Banos house clears escrow. The sale fell through.

He now has a 0.15 acre Los Banos house + a 0.30 acre Hanford house and 1.2 mil tied up in it. I think his bubble will burst before he sees dime one.

Normally a consertive guy, he was so proud when his $73,000 house in Janesville, WI was paid for in 1981. That was the last time he had no mortgage. Now he has two.

Note to thread started: Do not do this!!!!

 

[BigFatKen]

I am against buying near Public land. Get enough for yourself in an area of large private landowners. I used to live on 207 acres of my land surronded by 30,000 acres of Iron County Forest land in WI.

Hunters were always "getting lost" and hunting my land. Why? It was too crowded on the Public land and my land looked inviting. The worst were the dog bear hunters. The year I drew a bear tag, their dogs ran bears off my land onto the Public land.

 

[Oldtimer]

#1: You can hunt in just about every state of the union, so don't think that you need to OWN the land you're going to hunt on!

#2: You're asking for suggestions from total strangers! I'm sure that we all "like" where we live, but it might not suit YOUR purposes.

#3: Not sure of what your idea of "a lot of money" is! If it's, say, $1,000,000 or less, it won't go very far in certain states, especially if you buy "prime" real estate!

My suggestion would be to INVEST your inheritance wisely, but set aside some of it for the purpose of travelling to FIND your "perfect" state/region. Use the internet and public libraries to find out more about the states/regions that might appeal to you the most....then visit those regions when you get the chance.

About 6 years ago, before I retired, I started looking at several "appealing" states and regions for retirement. Arizona seemed to be the best, in my opinion, and the region that looked fantastic was in the White Mountains. Well, one of my buddies actually moved to that region about 3 years ago, and it was GREAT....at first! Little by little, however, the "greatness" started to wear off! He eventually moved out of there, and told me that during the 2 years he was there, he was always considered as being an "outsider" and UN-wanted by the local yokels!

It's one thing to find the "perfect" location to live. It's yet ANOTHER thing to actually fit in with the long-time residents of that area. Don't buy ANYTHING until you've thoroughly investigated it and feel that it should be YOUR "perfect" spot!

(P.S.: After an exhaustive search of many states, I finally stayed put for my retirement! I already know the area, have many friends that I'd miss dearly, and have very few regrets about not moving!)

 

[Hutch]

I'll chime in with the folks who say "Flee now!". Do you have something keeping you there in NJ? As in, ailing parents, a job that can't be equalled elsewhere, or something else of that magnitude?

If you do, and you MUST stay rooted there, then I'd suggest buying a place you could at least get to with a single tank of gas from your current home. Having to pay big bucks for a plane ticket to visit your property would just about prevent you from doing any hunting or fishing or property management activities or ANYTHING. Gonna pack a weed-eater or tiller or chainsaw on the plane?

Not as familiar with NJ as I should be, how far can you get into PA on said tank of fuel? Start there, and work your search back toward your current home.

Post back here and let us all have more of you thoughts. These are fun threads.

 

[grampster]

**NW Michigan. Lakes. Rivers. Cricks. Swamps. Piney woods. Prairie. Hardwoods. Small game. Pan fish. Turkey. Geese. Ducks. Deer. Bear. Elk. (NE Mi). Lake Michigan. Lake Huron. Lake Superior. Boating. The YooPee. Eagles. Coyote. Puma sightings. National forests. State forests. Camping. Shall Issue CCW. Castle Doctrine. Lots of tourists to prey on. Four distinct seasons. Homegrown vintners. Fresh fruit. Grand Rapids nearby/burgeoning metropolis/pro sports/fine dining/culture.
Reasonable property costs (going up, no bubble here) Unique little towns and art colonies. Fresh whitefish and perch. I think you may get the picture.

** From Lake Michigan on the West, to I-75 on the East, north to the Straits of Mackinaw. The southern boundary would be a line from The Lake through Newaygo to I-75.

 

[Plain Old Bill]

Look up around Wellsboro and Mansfield, Tioga County, PA. You'd be surprised. Very beautiful. Grand Canyon of PA territory.....

 

[BigFatKen]

**NW Michigan. Lakes. Rivers. Cricks. Swamps. Piney woods. Prairie.

...........and bugs. The bugs live under the snow cover and emerge first thing in Spring. It does not get better until the baby birds fledge around July 4 and the dragon flies come out. Then these new bug predators knock down the bug numbers.