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While I'm not in the market for a house just yet, I've been thinking about the idea of moving in a somewhat rural area where there are less buildings and more nature. I've been browsing realty sites just to get an idea of whats out there in terms of availability / pricing and I was surprised to see a lot of affordable listings (<$300k for me). Some of these are older, Friday the 13th / Texas chainsaw-esque style houses but, the locations and surroundings fit my interests. Most of my saved listings so far seem to be around the western part of the US (from New Mexico to Montana and everything in between). The weather, empty land, and topography seem right.
For those that live or have lived on waterfront properties (specifically moving bodies of water, rivers, etc.), what are your opinions about it? Do you eventually get used to it and sort of pass it off as just another thing? Is there any concern about water levels getting too high or is that really location dependent (places that rain, snow melting, etc.).
For those that live in areas that are tucked away but not far enough to be completely "self sufficient", do you find that you become more self sufficient to avoid having to travel 1-2+ hours to get to certain stores? What kind of work do most people do in these types of areas as well?
Here are a few of the listings I've saved to get an idea of what I'm talking about:
Remember that western water law holds, which is: water right are apportioned by time and strictly enforced. It's quite possible to own property that has a river on it and not be able to use the water at all because it "belongs" to someone else.
The most important things are figuring out where you water supply will come from and what you will have to do for septic. Areas near rivers and lakes which can flood can have some very strict septic requirements. Riparian restrictions might mean you can't build right next to the river.
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Flooding, mudslides, water rights, lot size minimums due to concerns over septic field problems, trespassing from people who insist they have the right to access the water, etc etc.
Waterfront property in arid states such as NM and CO will cost much more than nonwaterfront ones. Ditto for nonwaterfront property that has shares of irrigation water.
You don’t have to go west. Lake Champlain, between upstate New York and Vermont also has property that might fit the bill. And the lake, if you’ve never been there, is pretty big.
^Oneida Lake N/NE of Syracuse and W of Utica is similar in terms of a big lake(biggest lake entirely within NY State) and having properties within budget. Plus, it is far enough away from urbanized areas, but close enough to shopping and services.
The idea of living on a river front property would be more for aesthetics than actually wanting to use it for anything, though the issue of domestic water never crossed my mind so I’m glad that was brought up! I lived in FL most of my life and even as a kid, I never cared much for lakes. I think it’s a combination of living near moving water, being close to the mountains, not living in an area where it’s densely populated as well as having lots of space between you and the neighbor. I am single, and will probably stay that way, so living in a small place or having to adapt to the environment won’t be an issue.
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