Oregon Acreage Dream (Portland, Eugene, Salem: mortgage, house, purchase)

[fionafrances]

[SIZE=2]My family and I are thinking about moving to somewhere in Oregon. We will be moving from Arizona so we want to be somewhere green, i.e. not in the high desert. It won't be for a few years because my husband is attending school right now for landscape architecture. What we are looking for is acreage, somewhere between 2 and 20 (not too important as long as the neighbors are not breathing down our necks and we have room to plant a substantial garden and orchard and have a horse or two and chickens and possibly goats- I know I am asking a lot here), that is close (short commute) to a good sized city because he will need to find work once he graduates. We don't want to spend more then $30k on the land, and we will be trying to live off the grid as much as possible (solar panels, rainwater harvesting, greywater and most likely composting toilets), and hopefully will be building our own cob home. We have 2 small children so good schools will need to be relatively close, although if it comes down to it I can homeschool them. Any ideas on what part of Oregon would a good fit? Is this an unattainable dream? Or even realistic with that sort of budget and long list of criteria?[/SIZE]

[Smiled]

$30K: Attainable, but not near a city. If you were to search for a piece of land commutable to Portland, it would start at $125K or so, at the minimum (however I do know of a bank-owned 10-year-old doublewide in fair condition on an acre+ in Dundee for $144K.

Prices are somewhat lower outside Salem, Eugene, Roseburg, but get more expensive around Medford (lots of CA retirees).

It's possible to do it for a reasonable price but you must look very carefully for the land. Land in Washington state across the river from Portland is more plentiful and somewhat less expensive, but given the housing downturn, prices are falling and availability is increasing.
Good luck! Had that dream myself... lived in the burbs for a few years, then bought a tin can on five acres.

[Silverfall]

There is nowhere in the Salem Metro are that you can get 2-20 acres of buildable land for $30,000. We have strict zoning laws out here. Many of the cheaper acreage parcels are not buildable (which is why the are cheap).

I'd be surprised if there was anywhere in the valley that you could get buildable acreage for that price.

[rickers]

You are dreaming, try the high line of Montana. What you want for the price is unattainable in western Oregon.

[vnodak]

I lived in rural Oregon--coast-- and it took me acouple of years to find a place. That was 18 years ago and it was hard then to even find an acre that you could build on. We bought a small house on 25 acres for 155k and sold three years ago for 610k. When I was looking for a place, I looked at everything from one acre up--land only--land with a house or trailor with in a 50 mile radius from where we worked. Their was not much then and I am sure their is not much now due to their zoning laws or something of that sort. You would have better luck in the midwest or places in the south but not here. Sorry and I wish you the best. Part of your problem is you need to be close to a decent size city.

[goozer]

Originally Posted by vnodak

You would have better luck in the midwest or places in the south but not here. Sorry and I wish you the best. Part of your problem is you need to be close to a decent size city.

This is my sense too. Eastern Oregon might be doable for $30k on a 2-20 acre parcel, but Western Oregon it going to be out of your price range. Largely because it is beautiful country and you are not alone in your desire for land there. You might have better luck getting some cheap land 45 minutes outside of Birmingham, AL or Jackson, MS. For better or worse, these are less desirable places to live than Western Oregon and land is priced accordingly.

[Cob Man]

Or Maybe you could think about a Land Trust. My wife and I are tied to Portland. We must find land within one hours drive to Portland. She is a full time nurse. I am working towards being a full time Natural Builder (that's fancy for Cob). We are looking to purchase 5-20 acres for a huge organic garden ( it may pay our mortgage later on ). Also many Cob structures. I plan to host classes on Natural building some day. Your description of how you want to live basically matches ours perfectly. We would like to Land Trust . Finding one or two individuals or a family. Not trying to create a big commune just want to have good friends and a livable situation with like minded people.
You should email me more!
Cob Man

[Norwegian Noodle]

Originally Posted by Cob Man

Or Maybe you could think about a Land Trust. My wife and I are tied to Portland. We must find land within one hours drive to Portland. She is a full time nurse. I am working towards being a full time Natural Builder (that's fancy for Cob). We are looking to purchase 5-20 acres for a huge organic garden ( it may pay our mortgage later on ). Also many Cob structures. I plan to host classes on Natural building some day. Your description of how you want to live basically matches ours perfectly. We would like to Land Trust . Finding one or two individuals or a family. Not trying to create a big commune just want to have good friends and a livable situation with like minded people.
You should email me more!
Cob Man

Hello,

I ran across your post while looking for discussion threads regarding cob, "getting of the treadmill", natural building, etc. My wife and I have been back/front-yard farming year round for several years up here in north Portland, and our intention is to continue our efforts toward a more sane lifestyle, which includes building a small cob cottage (insane to some, for sure).

We are also looking for like-minded people. Let's have a conversation and see what's possible...

Norwegian Noodle

[earthicastar]

I am also looking for like minded folks to share off grid self sustainable living. I have a little money for land, and am looking in the Oregon/No California eastern areas this week.

Earthica Star*

Originally Posted by Norwegian Noodle

Hello,

I ran across your post while looking for discussion threads regarding cob, "getting of the treadmill", natural building, etc. My wife and I have been back/front-yard farming year round for several years up here in north Portland, and our intention is to continue our efforts toward a more sane lifestyle, which includes building a small cob cottage (insane to some, for sure).

We are also looking for like-minded people. Let's have a conversation and see what's possible...

Norwegian Noodle

[Norwegian Noodle]

I'd be curious to hear how your land search goes. What counties or cities you checked out, prices, etc. Initially, we are thinking of relocating in Oregon's mid-Willamette valley, possibly south of Eugene. I know that land is very expensive, especially in this corridor.

I'm sure myself and others would be very curious about what you find.