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That bill looks like a bureaucratic nightmare from hell (like most of them seem to be nowadays), and I find it unfortunate that the wonderful concept of homesteading has morphed into that kind of bureaucratic monstrosity which is so far removed from what the idea was once about.
I'll pass on that. Bring back something resembling real homesteading.
Side note: It's a damn shame what they did in Alaska (and most of the western states, for that matter), the way they divided it up. The fed government sure made out like a bandit on that deal, though. Homesteading is dead, and so too is a large part of the American dream with it.... I think.
Alaska still has, on occassion, a homesteading program which is fairly simple and straight forward. A non-agricultural homestead can be up to 40 acres in size. The applicant must pay a non-refundable $500 administration fee. The homesteader must then live on the property nine months out of every twelve for five years, and build a "single-family dwelling" (cabin's count) within a five year period.
The homesteading program in Alaska does not happen every year, but it does still happen.
I think most people find it easier simply to buy the land. The vast majority have absolutely no idea how difficult it is to homestead.
Alaska still has, on occassion, a homesteading program which is fairly simple and straight forward. A non-agricultural homestead can be up to 40 acres in size. The applicant must pay a non-refundable $500 administration fee. The homesteader must then live on the property nine months out of every twelve for five years, and build a "single-family dwelling" (cabin's count) within a five year period.
The homesteading program in Alaska does not happen every year, but it does still happen.
I think most people find it easier simply to buy the land. The vast majority have absolutely no idea how difficult it is to homestead.
Been to the DNR-AK website for a few years, have checked out their different programs.... remote staking.... OTC land sales... The prices are quite reasonable for the OTC land, though a lot of the subdivisions have sketchy land. Nonetheless, it's a little piece of dream that some people are looking for.
Wish they would re-open the land sales for the southeast region (that seems to be a common complaint among those looking for property up there), though the reason they probably don't is because there might not be too much state land left.... As per prior complaint, the feds basically own most of the southeast. They've seemingly squeezed most of the citizens into the town-proper like sardines, for the most part, while the feds just sit on more open land than is practically fathomable to the human mind. I digress....
Last edited by FreedomThroughAnarchism; 09-01-2011 at 06:48 PM..
Been to the DNR-AK website for a few years, have checked out their different programs.... remote staking.... OTC land sales... The prices are quite reasonable for the OTC land, though a lot of the subdivisions have sketchy land. Nonetheless, it's a little piece of dream that some people are looking for.
Wish they would re-open the land sales for the southeast region (that seems to be a common complaint among those looking for property up there), though the reason they probably don't is because there might not be too much state land left.... As per prior complaint, the feds basically own most of the southeast. They've seemingly squeezed most of the citizens into the town-proper like sardines, for the most part, while the feds just sit on more open land than is practically fathomable to the human mind. I digress....
That is very true about the Alaskan panhandle. There are at least two National Parks, one National Monument, and a National Forest that is three times the size of any other National Forest in the US. That does not leave much State land left in that area.
Speaking of depopulated towns and ghost towns, Alaska lost over 4,000 jobs during the 1990s when Clinton killed the timber industry. Unfortunately, there are no other industries in that part of Alaska (other than tourism, mining, and fishing) that can support a population.
it's just not small towns, had a look at Detroit recently?
Exactly, Noticed that Pasadena, Calif. has closed down stores on almost every block now. Asked stores what happened, and they said it's the economy, taxes and rents. Other cities all over So. Calif. are closing stores, not just small shops but big dealerships, Burger King, Wendy's, entire strip malls. It's scary.
pretty much. And they are white guys who lost jobs. Not illegals. There is a tent city somewhere in southern Virginia as well, my ex SIL mentioned it- I think its near Richmond- havent been there in a few years.
I never thought I would see the day that Ghost Towns would happen in our era. Soon, small towns are going to close up due to the economy since they can't survive, let alone pay for any services.
I also see the population in my town either becoming rampid with crime due to the loss of jobs or the population will severly decrease as the unemployed move from my town to a state where they can get a job or live with relatives who can support them.
The days of white picket fences and the American Dream are over. Now it's about who will survive. I think America is learning there are some things we can do without. Like large expensive homes, suv's, HDTV'S, motorhomes or camping trailers, fancy restaurants, Wal-marts on every corner, etc. I know I can live without those things, I have so far, can you?
That seems to be a global phenomenon, same here in Europe. As people move to the big cities or to more appealing regions, some small towns gradually die out.
There was a report on that on TV recently. Oftentimes there are just a dozen old people left in an entire town, roaming the empty roads or just sitting around, basically waiting to die. No children, no life, nature gradually taking back what used to be nature hundreds or thousands of years ago, like with the pyramids in the Mexican jungle.
basically waiting to die. No children, no life, nature gradually taking back what used to be nature hundreds or thousands of years ago, like with the pyramids in the Mexican jungle.
No---like Detroit. Like Gary, Indiana.
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Ghost Towns and Depopulation
