[ArizonaRanch]

Hi

We're doing research on a few states to see where we might like to visit for us to relocate. Any suggestions would be great!

We are looking for a rural farming community. The kind where "everyone knows everyone" feel to it. Within 45-60mins from the stores, doctors, etc.

We want quite a few acres (75+) for horses, cattle, etc.

Moderate climate year round, we do not want the cold snowy winter months.

Heat doesn't bother us as long as it's not over 100deg.

Also, are tornadoes, hurricanes, etc common in Alabama?

Thanks!

[harry chickpea]

It got to a humid 107 this summer on a fairly regular basis, and this morning it was 27 with a dip into the teens predicted for Tuesday. Snow is a rarity.

Hurricanes can hit along the coast, once you are 30 miles inland they tend to be rain events more than wind events (although high winds are still possible). The entire south central US gets tornados, usually in the spring and late fall when weather masses clash. Since they tend to be highly localized, they can be more of a media event than a disruption to everyday life (unless yours is the home that is hit).

Rural farmland is available at fairly good prices BUT... much of Alabama is in a multi-year drought, and between the heat, late frosts, and lack of water most farmers are struggling.

Moderate temps are more likely to be found in parts of Florida, but there is a whole different set of issues with land there.

[gustygulas]

There are 16 properties available with more than 75 acres. They range in price from $550,000 to 3,900,000.

There are 95 land/lots/acreage available priced from 193,000 to 20 million.

[Keeper]

We did have 100+ this past summer for 10 days straight, while not the norm it does get hot here. While it is hot, I didn't feel it as bad as the FL heat mainly because the highs are usually late in the afternoon.
The one thing I love about living here is we have 4 seasons.

[NicoleC]

Southern Alabama will get hit with hurricanes, but N AL will just get some heavy rain from them. S AL is much more warm, but N AL isn't very cold. You will get frosts and freezing temperatures but won't be snowed or iced in. It's a zone 7 after all. All of Alabama is going to see 100+ temps from time to time.

There is still good affordable rural land around Alabama, but it's generally not very fertile and is mostly useful for good pasture, which may be exactly what you want. I would say most if not all of it is within a hour of basic shopping and healthcare.

Tornadoes can happen anywhere, but N AL is in tornado alley.

If you can afford it, the southern Sierra foothills of CA may be what you are looking for -- relatively mild in both winter and summer. But it isn't range land. Otherwise most everywhere you are either going to get cold or hot. And of course the foothills get forest fires. Or the valley land north of Sacramento up around Yuba City and Redding is still relatively affordable and has a rural feel. (Not that deep southern feel, though.)

I would check and see if there are any regions of Texas that meet your criteria.

For the record, the only tornado I was ever in was in California... no place is immune! They scare the heck out of me, but every place has its dangers.

[Southlander]

There's a thread in this forum (Alabama) about tornadoes with good info...just do a "search this forum" for it.

[MullinsCurve]

Look at Greenville Alabama area. Lots of inexpensive farm land, woodland, gentle rolling hills. Large city (Montgomery) about 50 miles away. If you play golf, one of the best Robert Trent Jones courses in there.

The Alabama and Florida coast, with their sugary sand beaches, are about 2 hours away. A large airport is about 45 minutes away. Drive 2 1/2 hours and you are in the Smokey Mountains or Atlanta.

It's a nice little town and I wished I lived there now but I married a city girl.

Tornadoes do occur there but are not as frequent as they are further to the north. Hurricanes do strike the area but have usually lost most of their punch by the time they get that far inland.
It rarely snows and when it does, it only stays around for a few days. Last snow was in 2001. It does get hot and as with everywhere in the South, there is the humidity to deal with. Last summer there were over 20 days with 100+ temps but usually have only a day or so of that temp per year, some years none.

It is a wet county if that is important to you.

[kevin_1975]

Covington or Coffee County, Alabama may be just what you are looking for.

[Threestep]

Can you tell us a bit more?
Are you planning to raise cattle/horses for a living or settle as gentlemen farmer?
Several extreme drought years to the point of water restrictions and wells drying up have made farming a tough job. Every county has an extension office and/or a farmers coop. They can give you the real scoop about prices of out of state hay/feed, what size herds made it through last summer, who is looking to get out.
http://www.aces.edu/counties/
The heat will not be your problem. Humidity will be.
Hurricanes and tornados have a mind of their own. They happen. The warning system is good. As long as you are prepared, use common sense and have good insurance ...
We are not supposed to have snow in AL but got snowed in for almost a week by a freak blizzard a few years back. How cattle/horse farmers weathered it I do not know.

[Threestep]

Originally Posted by gustygulas

There are 16 properties available with more than 75 acres. They range in price from $550,000 to 3,900,000.

There are 95 land/lots/acreage available priced from 193,000 to 20 million.

I do not want to sound negative but it has to come out.
You throw listings out particularly in the Birmingham area you have your geographic comfort zone. Within one year at least six of your colleagues wandered through my house promised to find it a size bigger within a week. Either it was something absolutely off or they disappeared. How do I find a realtor who knows what he is doing?