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I will be living life in a camper nearly (if not completely) off the grid once I finish high school. What place do you think I'll do the best in?
-I want to live somewhere that feels secluded but is near a town that has a gym and a Sam's Club or Costco (NO TRAFFIC!)
-I hate heat and humidity and enjoy snow
-I enjoy lots of sunshine
-I need to be near a nice, big, and clear lake
-I don't wanna be near a town that's attracting Californians or New Yorkers
-I don't wanna be near a national park that attracts people from all over the country
-I'm a libertarian who votes republican
-I value my guns very much
-I'm not a religious guy
A lot of places in Michigan fit that pretty well actually. The one draw back is there's a lot more clouds November -March. But there's not place in Michigan that's not near big/clear lakes and that doesn't include just the great lakes. Outstate Michigan in particular tends to be more libertarian and I don't believe there's many folks from California headed that way.
Traverse City or the areas around it fit the bill, they get a ton of snow though. Any of the small towns within a 45 minute drive of Grand Rapids would also do well I'd imagine.
OP - You mention living off/nearly off the grid. Do you want a power source, water source, or internet access? My suggestion: Find a small town near what you want and use an RV/mobile home park space for several months while you search for your dream piece of property.
Maybe pick a small town SE of Twin Falls, ID (Costco there). Albion, Malta, Almo ID might work for a base.
Another choice could be a town outside of Casper, WY. Alcova, WY?
The Black Hills of South Dakota would get too may tourist for your liking, but if you want to try there, then a small town within 75 miles of Rapid City (Sams Club). Edgemont, SD is on the edge of the SW Black Hills, so might make a good basecamp. Not many tourists, except those passing through. I think there is a gym in town and a couple lakes near Hot Springs, SD 30 miles away.
Your next hard part is finding property to buy (unless you expect to squat on public land). That's why having a basecamp in a small town to start is probably the best idea. You'll need enough property that your neighbors won't see what you are doing, because getting permits for a well and septic system will be difficult. Chances are you will be hauling water and have an illegal septic system (or an outhouse), unless you can afford a big piece of property (40, 80, 160 acres in some secluded locations to build/develop).
Had some time to think of a couple other areas to look at.
Outside of Walla Walla, WA which gives you access to the Blue Mountains. Winters won't be as harsh to start off. Maybe Dayton Washington, or Weston or Albion Oregon. Walla Walla itself is pretty liberal, but outside of town is still much more conservative.
No Costco/Sam's, but if Super Walmart is enough, then a small town outside of La Grande, OR. (Cove, Union, Summerville, Elgin, North Powder). Plenty of water in the area and lots of people living semi-remote and in campers semi or fulltime. Had a friend/co-worker who lived in a single-wide MH without power or water hooked up, and he made it through the winter outside of Island City, OR.
I don't think I'll go to the Rockies as they're being invaded by California liberals. Are the Appalachian Mountains a good choice too (specifically West Virginia, Maine, and maybe East Virginia and Kentucky)?
-I want to live somewhere that feels secluded but is near a town that has a gym and a Sam's Club or Costco (NO TRAFFIC!)
-I hate hot and muggy weather and enjoy snow
-I enjoy lots of sunshine
-I need to be near a nice, big, and clear lake
-I don't wanna be near a town that's attracting Californians or New Yorkers
-I don't wanna be near a national park that attracts people from all over the country
-I'm a libertarian who votes republican
-I value my guns very much
-I'm not a religious guy
The CA to ID immigration added
1% more Californians to ID in most recent yearly count. That will have an affect over time. But the rate is much less in Montana and Wyoming (0.5% / yr).
If you are considering WV, outside Huntington might work. Not quite east VA but near Oxford NC is close and might work (as it is closer to urban activities).
Another option in KY would be outside Bowling Green (maybe to the east). Or south / east of Lexington.
You might consider all these places too humid.
Maine might be the right culture. Further from coast, more snow. Low on sunshine. Water will probably be pretty cold except perhaps heart of summer.
I don't think I'll go to the Rockies as they're being invaded by California liberals. Are the Appalachian Mountains a good choice too (specifically West Virginia, Maine, and maybe East Virginia and Kentucky)?
-I want to live somewhere that feels secluded but is near a town that has a gym and a Sam's Club or Costco (NO TRAFFIC!)
-I hate hot and muggy weather and enjoy snow
-I enjoy lots of sunshine
-I need to be near a nice, big, and clear lake
-I don't wanna be near a town that's attracting Californians or New Yorkers
-I don't wanna be near a national park that attracts people from all over the country
-I'm a libertarian who votes republican
-I value my guns very much
-I'm not a religious guy
West Virginia, Western North Carolina, East Tennessee, North Georgia, Shenandoah Valley, and Southwestern Virginia.
Due to a lot of feedback I've been getting I'm adjusting my needs to be a bit more realistic. For some reason I can't edit the post so I'm just gonna make a reply.
-I want to live somewhere that feels at least a little secluded but is near a town that has a gym and a Sam's Club or Costco (little traffic please)
-I hate muggy weather and enjoy snow
-I need to be near a nice, big lake
-I would prefer to be east of the Mississippi (or west if the state borders it)
-I don't wanna be near a town that's attracting Californians or New Yorkers
-I don't wanna be near a national park that attracts people from all over the country
-I'm a libertarian who votes republican
-I value my guns very much
-I'm not a religious guy
Last edited by CrazedCamper; 08-04-2021 at 07:24 AM..
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Is Appalachia right for me?
