[jeeg]

Weedlady - My wife and I are of the "homesteading" mentality as well. We've been renting for the last three years before deciding to buy (we live in a nice rental on 17 acres with a great landlord..... so we haven't been in a rush). Some of the areas on your list are areas we too are actively looking in.
Our first choice is the Trenary, Traunik, Eben Junction, Rumely areas. We've spent a lot of time out there the past year or so and know several homesteading families there.
Our second choice is the Champion area. Again we've been spending a lot of time in the area for the past couple of years. We know a couple families there who homestead too. One of the main draws of the Champion area for us personally is the McCormick Wilderness tract and Van Riper State park. We spend a LOT of our free time exploring both. Simply beautiful
In both areas we've spent the past couple months looking at every single property on acreage in our price range and have narrowed it down to a few.
One of the benefits of both areas are the relatively quick access to Marquette (less then an hour, depending on where.... only 30 minutes). Both areas are affordable.
We spent time looking at Republic but....... even tho they're not much further in miles, they ARE much more isolated in mentality. Kinda hard to explain and I certainly don't mean that in a derogatory manner.
Matchwood, Paulding, Ewen, and Bruce Crossing, are all pretty far out there. Beautiful areas tho. But quite a drive to either Houghton or Marquette. On the plus side, you'll get more for your money out there.
Rock isn't too bad. For general things you can skip on down to Escanaba. I actually know one gal who lives on a homestead south of Rock and commutes up to Marquette General for her job! That's too far IMO but it works for her and her family.
Skanee, I have not had the pleasure of seeing yet. But looking at the map it looks quite isolated...... but I bet it's beautiful there!
The L'Anse area I personally think is a good choice if you don't have to worry about a job. When you do choose to go to the city you can choose Houghton or Marquette depending on what you're looking for (or perhaps which one has what festival going on! I love all of the festivals up here).

I just read through all of your posts again, If I didn't have to be close to one of the bigger cities...... of those on your list I would choose the Rockland area. It's only 46 miles from Houghton. Quite affordable. Close to Ontonagon and the Porkies.

There, that's my opinion of your list so far Let me know if I can be of any more help.

[darstar]

Originally Posted by jeeg

Weedlady - My wife and I are of the "homesteading" mentality as well. We've been renting for the last three years before deciding to buy (we live in a nice rental on 17 acres with a great landlord..... so we haven't been in a rush). Some of the areas on your list are areas we too are actively looking in.
Our first choice is the Trenary, Traunik, Eben Junction, Rumely areas. We've spent a lot of time out there the past year or so and know several homesteading families there.
Our second choice is the Champion area. Again we've been spending a lot of time in the area for the past couple of years. We know a couple families there who homestead too. One of the main draws of the Champion area for us personally is the McCormick Wilderness tract and Van Riper State park. We spend a LOT of our free time exploring both. Simply beautiful
In both areas we've spent the past couple months looking at every single property on acreage in our price range and have narrowed it down to a few.
One of the benefits of both areas are the relatively quick access to Marquette (less then an hour, depending on where.... only 30 minutes). Both areas are affordable.
We spent time looking at Republic but....... even tho they're not much further in miles, they ARE much more isolated in mentality. Kinda hard to explain and I certainly don't mean that in a derogatory manner.
Matchwood, Paulding, Ewen, and Bruce Crossing, are all pretty far out there. Beautiful areas tho. But quite a drive to either Houghton or Marquette. On the plus side, you'll get more for your money out there.
Rock isn't too bad. For general things you can skip on down to Escanaba. I actually know one gal who lives on a homestead south of Rock and commutes up to Marquette General for her job! That's too far IMO but it works for her and her family.
Skanee, I have not had the pleasure of seeing yet. But looking at the map it looks quite isolated...... but I bet it's beautiful there!
The L'Anse area I personally think is a good choice if you don't have to worry about a job. When you do choose to go to the city you can choose Houghton or Marquette depending on what you're looking for (or perhaps which one has what festival going on! I love all of the festivals up here).

I just read through all of your posts again, If I didn't have to be close to one of the bigger cities...... of those on your list I would choose the Rockland area. It's only 46 miles from Houghton. Quite affordable. Close to Ontonagon and the Porkies.

There, that's my opinion of your list so far Let me know if I can be of any more help.

I once put an offer on Superior lake Front in the Skanee area. Long ago , in the 70s. had 50 foot drop off to the lake,deep woods , and just off the main road. Was very reasonable at the time , in price ( about 5 acres ). I wonder what it looks like today .
I have a friend in Detroit that inherited 500 acres south of there closer to L'Anse. Just a wooded tract. Bl eave it or not , they have never came up to see it !..... We all have our priorities I guess.

[and the]

All this brings up an even more important thing , good medical and other health needs. having the EMS close by , and , able to find you in the deep woods , an important item...

I wonder if GPS coordinates will ever replace or modify street addresses?

[jeeg]

Originally Posted by and the

I wonder if GPS coordinates will ever replace or modify street addresses?

Aren't the employees taking GPS coordinates at each doorstep as they do the new census this time around? I've read that a few different places but haven't seen it firsthand yet.

[SpaceGhost79]

Republic - Radon gas capital of Michigan. Highest recorded level in the state of roughly 100 times the normal level was there. If you plan on buying/building there, make sure you do a radon test and get the necessary equipment installed.

Trenary - I know two things about Trenary... Trenary Toast and the Trenary Outhouse Classic, which, if you don't know anything about it, is, well... it's Yooper Culture at its finest

Champion - I believe this town was featured on ABC's Extreme Makeover and everyone got a free Champion toilet installed (suppose to be some very efficient toilet). Close enough jog to the Ishpeming/Negaunee and Marquette areas. Van Riper State Park, Craig Lake State Park, Lake Michigamme, plenty of outdoors spots to visit.

L'anse - My roommate my sophomore year in college was from L'anse. Nice small town and is the area on your list I would recommend. Good central location just 30 miles from Houghton and an hour to Marquette. Right on Lake Superior, which is always a bonus in my book. Mt. Arvon, the highest point in Michigan, is east of town. Good luck trying to find it The beauty of the Keweenaw peninsula just to the north, the Porcupine Mountains about 1 1/2 hours to the west. Big ass sweet rolls at the Hilltop and a statue of Bishop Baraga holding a cross and a pair of snowshoes. What's not to like?

I haven't been to Skanee, but it's not too far from L'anse and I can imagine it's just as nice and more remote.

[darstar]

I have a friend that lives just off the Portage canal. The town is Chassell. Nice area , and close to Keweenaw Bay , a great place to fish , boat , and sit on the rocks watching the ships. She is single in her 50s , bought a very modest house , a dog and a few cats , loves it there !

The real jewel of the UP is the shores of Lake Superior. You will be warmer in the winter , more snow , less bugs ,and the best views this side of anywhere on the NW US coastline. Its worth the extra cost for a view of the big lake...... Many people don't know it , but the central UP east and west is low lying land. Much of it swamp. Yes , you can buy cheap property , but , thats the reason its so cheap , no no one wants to live there. Unless you have a connection via family , or job, stay away from these places. There , I have said it again , ...its just THAT important !

[weedlady]

for your input and responses. I've gained some great information here-all very helpful.
We will keep your suggestions and cautions in mind as we look for our perfect spot.
Hopefully, in a few weeks we will have narrowed our list of possibilities down somewhat, and I'm sure I will have more concrete questions at the time.
thanks again
Martha (Yooper wannabe)

[ihynes]

Originally Posted by Bluefly

That's the beauty of the UP winters, though. They're not icy. And people don't sit inside in the winter.

So true! I thought I would be able to get back into cross-country skiing when I moved to the Chicago area, but it's just icy drizzle most of the time.

[FESTER]

O.K. here is what I know about your prospects,
Republic- A mess. Should be bulldozed into the old mine pit there.
Matchwood - Very rural. Along way from anything. But decent.
Ewen - Nice little town but remote.
Bruce Crossing - See above. Near Ewen.
Rockland - Pretty quiet nice little town. Near Ontonagon.
Rock - Decent little town.
Champion - Slightly better than Republic. Only because of the state park.
Skanee - Not really a town. Near L'anse. Nice area.
L'Anse - Very nice little town. Also near where I live
Trenary - Toast and outhouse races in winter. Otherwise not much there.
Paulding - Nice area. Near Ewen & Bruces. Google "Paulding lights" for more info.
One area I would suggest looking at is Iron county. Crystal Falls, Iron river.Very nice area. Well worth your time to check out. Also the Iron Mountain area. Both have milder winters than the Superior shore.

[YAZ]

Crystal Falls, Iron River, and Iron Mountain.

"Relatively" milder winters, LOL.

Man, that's some crazy snow, eh?

Oh well, you prob'ly say the same thing about me livin' in 118 degree weather...

Sans snow, of course.

300 days of sunshine, 13 different kinds of rattlesnakes, gila monsters, scorpions, and no water in sight.

Did I mention 300 days of sunshine?