Small Community with Buildable Acreage, Accessible to PDX

[texasdiver]

Originally Posted by Peachytiff

Yeah. Let me clarify. In an attempt to be somewhat concise in my original post, I'm not sure I made my intentions very clear.

In phase 1, I would like to rent in a small rural town for 2 to 3 years and establish ourselves and be closer to town activities like gymnastics etc while my kids are still tok young to drive themselves. Also, begin the process of learning the land, the building laws etc., and start finding land before it's listed as StealthRabbit so often advises

Phase 2, buy some land, 10-40 acres, that will suit our purposes and has the potential for further expansion over a decade or so. Build our house and move in around the time the kids can drive themselves to their activities .... at this point it's inevitable and okay to be a bit further away from the town/civilizations

Phase 3, hope to expand our property. 200 acres because he would like to do farming on the side and into his retirement. He will be able to retire early due to a military pension and a 401k that should allow him to do farming "just for fun", to stay busy regardless of income... and also because if we had 200 acres and were able to give 5 acres away to a family member who would like to come build, we would be happy to do so ....

This is the thing that you cannot do under Oregon law. You can't take a 200 acre (or any acre) plot of land outside the urban growth boundary, carve off 5 acres and build a house on it. That would be an illegal subdivision which is exactly what the urban growth boundaries are supposed to prevent. Otherwise a whole bunch of existing farms within semi-reasonable commuting distance of Portland would have long ago been subdvided into little 5 acre estates with McMansions on them like one sees everywhere else in sprawling exurban America.

In any event, 200 acres is not a small hobby farm in the Willamette Valley. The land is a lot more productive and intensely farmed than one finds in the Midwest or places like Texas where a typical farm might be thousands of acres of a low productivity crops (dollars per acre) such as corn or soybeans or ranch land. 200 acres in the Willamette Valley might be a multi-million dollar vinyard or fruit orchard or nursery stock operation.

[Bees46]

Texasdiver has explained better than I could. Thank you.

The Willamette Valley is beautiful, but most folks here can love the land without needing to own a huge chunk of it.

[Peachytiff]

Gotcha. I hope my aspiration of owning a big chunk of it hasn't been too offensive. We anticipated that reality would be less than our aspirations, and we can be happy with less of course. �� the land is beautiful either way.

Definitely didn't have mcmansions in our heads or future.

I knew I needed to better understand the zoning laws and was hoping to be directed towards useful resources rather than just being told point blank "it can't be done." I really respect why the process is difficult and requires all sorts of hoops. But having said that, it sounds like it IS possible and am currently educating myself more on the process. Again, this part of the "plan" isn't necessary ... But it is something I wanted to go into with eyes wide open.

I do appreciate all the input tho. Truly. I want to educate myself and align my aspirations with reality as best as I can as we move forward. And I am open to hearing how to do this in a way that is respectful and understanding to those in the area.

Had a good trip visiting some of the places suggested. Definitely helped us narrow things down. Now to begin the search for rentals! Not many available in our areas of interest so should be a fun venture!!

Best wishes to all

[PNW-type-gal]

Here is a link that explains some of the zoning and the reasons behind it:

Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development DLCD Farmland Protection Program
Oregon Department of Land Conservation and Development Forest Land Protection Program

For some reason, Lane County has a lot of info available, and much of it applies to all of Western Oregon:
http://www.oregon.gov/LCD/OCMP/docs/...ode_Marked.pdf

Earlier I suggested finding a real estate agent to help you, I still think that applies.

[Peachytiff]

Great. Thanks PNW type gal!

Had run into some of that stuff but that Lane County link looks particularly good.

Working wigh a realtor definitely applies ... just am probably still a few years out from buying... I assume it's bad form to reach out now ... ?

[PNW-type-gal]

Originally Posted by Peachytiff

Working wigh a realtor definitely applies ... just am probably still a few years out from buying... I assume it's bad form to reach out now ... ?

I wouldn't think so. Yes, you are asking an agent to spend a little time on you without immediate gain, but I think that is the trade-off in the business.

[Sherwoody]

My Realtor was a very successful builder before she became a Realtor. I'll be happy to DM her website to anyone interested.