need green and trees in Utah (Logan, Washington: homes, living, costs)

[dieseldog]

I am looking at Utah to move. I like trees and hills. but mostly trees. I'm looking for inexpensive land to build on. in the country but not a long drive from civilization. We are looking to build an earthbag home. if you know of anyone who has built an earthhome, cob, rammed earth or earthbag, let us know.
where is there inexpensive land? I've looked and what I've found is in the middle of nowhere.
thank you for your input.

[MagpiesMagpiesMagpies]

Originally Posted by dieseldog

I am looking at Utah to move. I like trees and hills. but mostly trees. I'm looking for inexpensive land to build on. in the country but not a long drive from civilization. We are looking to build an earthbag home. if you know of anyone who has built an earthhome, cob, rammed earth or earthbag, let us know.
where is there inexpensive land? I've looked and what I've found is in the middle of nowhere.
thank you for your input.

Why Utah then? Just in case you haven't looked, the whole state is high desert. If you want trees, why not go to N. Minnesota, Maine or Washington? The only place you'll find them in Utah is high up on a mountainside.

Magpies

[pinkpalace]

Yep, I agree with Magpies. In fact, I moved to Central Maine two years ago from Idaho.

Maine is beautiful. Having grown up in Idaho, I had no idea there could be so many trees, rivers, and lakes in one place.

Depending on what you mean by "close to civilization" and "inexpensive" I'd look at land around Bangor ME. Land gets insanely cheap as you go north of Bangor. Also check out around Berlin NH, western Mass, and upstate NY. If "civilization" means a city with more than 60K people, then check closer to Portland ME, Manchester NH, Worcester MA, or Rochester NY.

Utah is great -- but it would be really hard to find a nice patch green in Utah.

[neo]

I agree. I live in Utah and have for most of my life. As far as green space, Utah is a desert, plain and simple. It is the second driest state in the U.S. (Nevada is number one), so of you're looking for green, forget Utah. Ditto for cheap housing. Real estste in Utah has gotten completely out of control, and is only getting worse. I'm not sure what the attraction is, but people are moving here in droves, especially from California, and it is driving housing costs through the roof. Maybe if you live far enough out in the sticks, you can find cheap housing, but there you probably won't be able to get a job other than at a gas station or something.

Sorry to be so pessimistic. Utah has its good points, but based on what you're looking for, you might want to consider moving to another state.

[frogamigo]

Finding all that could be hard to do. Depends on how close to what kind of population center you want to be. The people settle where the land is flat - in the desert valleys. The mountains go up pretty steep from there. There might be something in Rich county, I don't know (but you're still an hour away from Logan).

I'd love to live in one of those types of homes. I am thinking of cob or straw-bale.

- Chris

[Pineboy]

Originally Posted by pinkpalace

Yep, I agree with Magpies. In fact, I moved to Central Maine two years ago from Idaho.

Maine is beautiful. Having grown up in Idaho, I had no idea there could be so many trees, rivers, and lakes in one place.

Depending on what you mean by "close to civilization" and "inexpensive" I'd look at land around Bangor ME. Land gets insanely cheap as you go north of Bangor. Also check out around Berlin NH, western Mass, and upstate NY. If "civilization" means a city with more than 60K people, then check closer to Portland ME, Manchester NH, Worcester MA, or Rochester NY.

Utah is great -- but it would be really hard to find a nice patch green in Utah.

You must have not known alot about Idaho or explored the state very much when you lived there. Sure Idaho has desert and arid areas, but actually is the most heavily forested state in the Rocky Mountain Area with some of the nations largest, roadless, untouched forests. Idaho has the most river whitewater miles of any state except Alaska, as well as the most Wilderness areas except Alaska. Some of the wests largest natural lakes are in Idaho.
Idaho does not lack when it comes to Green Plus we have the diversity of having the southern desert areas thrown in. So before you discount Idaho make sure you actually know about the state. The state of Maine is beautiful but is a lot smaller land wise than Idaho. The state of Maine would be about as large as Southeast Idaho.

[catburt]

Try Cache County (northern Utah). Greenest place in Utah. Richmond, Lewiston, Nibley, Benson, Newton & YoungWard and Logan have cheaper land. Logan is the main city here (approx 75,000 people).

[pinkpalace]

Originally Posted by Pineboy

You must have not known alot about Idaho or explored the state very much when you lived there. Sure Idaho has desert and arid areas, but actually is the most heavily forested state in the Rocky Mountain Area with some of the nations largest, roadless, untouched forests. Idaho has the most river whitewater miles of any state except Alaska, as well as the most Wilderness areas except Alaska. Some of the wests largest natural lakes are in Idaho.
Idaho does not lack when it comes to Green Plus we have the diversity of having the southern desert areas thrown in. So before you discount Idaho make sure you actually know about the state. The state of Maine is beautiful but is a lot smaller land wise than Idaho. The state of Maine would be about as large as Southeast Idaho.

I agree that Idaho is the "most green" state if you only consider the intermountain west states. However, Idaho's green doesn't compare to the green you get in the eastern US.

If you're looking for a place to live west of Omaha, NE and east of the Cascades, then Idaho is a great place to look for green. But, if you are just looking for a forested area to live, you'll do much better living anywhere in the eastern time zone.