Lesbian couple wants to move semi-rural gold rush area. Advice as to where? (Auburn: low crime, buy)

[danaruns]

We are a lesbian couple looking to semi-retire and buy 5-10 acres of good but affordable land for farming/grazing. We'd like to be above the fog but below the snow line. Things that are important to us are:

- Good land for farming (i.e., flat or rolling, not rocky, and good topsoil).

- Rural, but within reach of civilization.

- Affordable.

- Friendly area where we don't have to hide and will be treated as part of the community.

- Good internet access and electricity. We're fine with propane and septic.

- Pretty area.

- Safe/low crime.

What's good? We don't really know the area, but have heard decent thing about Auburn and Placerville, and someone mentioned Oregon House. Any advice for us?

[danaruns]

I should add that we are interested in organic, sustainable farming, and would like to be in an area where there are like-minded folks. Also, we don't need buildings on the land, but it has to be in an area that will allow us to build and has access to water for a few acres (good wells, municipal water, enough rain, or irrigation rights).

All of that is probably findable. Maybe the biggest challenge is being lesbian in rural NorCal?

Oh, and did I mention below the snow line?

[Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by danaruns

I should add that we are interested in organic, sustainable farming, and would like to be in an area where there are like-minded folks. Also, we don't need buildings on the land, but it has to be in an area that will allow us to build and has access to water for a few acres (good wells, municipal water, enough rain, or irrigation rights).

All of that is probably findable. Maybe the biggest challenge is being lesbian in rural NorCal?

Oh, and did I mention below the snow line?

Murphys might be a good place to look at. It's in Gold Country, not too high (generally less than an inch of snow), surrounded by agriculture and open land and very artsy which usually equates to liberal and progressive. It's also a cute town and very walkable.

[CityGirl72]

I think Amador County - I think you'd REALLY like it. Lesbian or not, I find most people open.

[DMenscha]

You will want to try above 1500' to avoid the fog in winter and below 2500' to avoid any significant snowfall. Realize that in that zone, you wont find much in the way of flat land and much of that land is suitable for crops like grapes and not row crops because the soil isn't the best. That being said, you can probably find something like that anywhere along Highway 49 with prices being higher closer to the larger cities along the route.

I think you'll find that nobody really cares about your sexual preference (they certainly don't in my town) but of the dozen or so gay and lesbian couples around here, none of them seems to go for the public displays of affection either (which might raise some eyebrows).

[danaruns]

Good to hear that no one really cares. That's what we were hoping. We're not big into a lot of "gay" stuff, so I don't want to make this thread all about that, unless the area is full of skinheads or people we should be afraid of.

What I'm most interested in is good, fertile land at a reasonable price that's within reach of civilization. If it's in a friendly place where everyone knows and cares about everyone else, well, that's great. You say there won't be much flat land at 1500-2500'? Does that mean it's all rolling hills and chaparral at that altitude? And rocky? We are more consumers of wine grapes than producers. Where would you suggest we look for good topsoil not in the middle of everything?

[Mr5150]

Originally Posted by danaruns

Good to hear that no one really cares. That's what we were hoping. We're not big into a lot of "gay" stuff, so I don't want to make this thread all about that, unless the area is full of skinheads or people we should be afraid of.

What I'm most interested in is good, fertile land at a reasonable price that's within reach of civilization. If it's in a friendly place where everyone knows and cares about everyone else, well, that's great. You say there won't be much flat land at 1500-2500'? Does that mean it's all rolling hills and chaparral at that altitude? And rocky? We are more consumers of wine grapes than producers. Where would you suggest we look for good topsoil not in the middle of everything?

Most land at 1500-2500 is wooded-Oak, Pine, some chaparral. Tends to be more forested as you head north-North of Sonora and Nevada City is downright thick with trees. Your best chance for good topsoil is to find some small valley tucked in the hills. Now if you goal is to have large fenced garden, that'll be very doable-that could be anywhere. A 40 acre farm-not so much.

[danaruns]

Originally Posted by Mr5150

Most land at 1500-2500 is wooded-Oak, Pine, some chaparral. Tends to be more forested as you head north-North of Sonora and Nevada City is downright thick with trees. Your best chance for good topsoil is to find some small valley tucked in the hills. Now if you goal is to have large fenced garden, that'll be very doable-that could be anywhere. A 40 acre farm-not so much.

Thanks!

Let's call it a large garden/small farm. We're looking more at about 10 acres, tops. Enough land for some small crops -- an acre of garden and perhaps one small cash crop -- along with some critters.

So, south of Nevada City? Check. What else do we need to know about location before we go walking property?

[DMenscha]

We have a couple in our town who raise organic produce on their 5 acres, but they have heavily amended the soil over a long period of time. There's a reason much of the land is used for cattle grazing, it supports native grasses and hardier crops like grapes that produce better quality if they have to struggle a bit. The geology of the Sierra Foothills is such that it generally just doesn't have that fertility that one finds in the Central Valley.

You may be able to locate a place like 5150 says in a little tucked away valley, but I think you should look for water quantity and quality first, that's going to dictate what is most likely to succeed in terms of crops.

May I suggest driving up any of the east west highways and you'll be able to see for yourself what the dirt looks like and get a better idea of the terrain. Happy hunting!

[Mr5150]

Originally Posted by danaruns

Thanks!

Let's call it a large garden/small farm. We're looking more at about 10 acres, tops. Enough land for some small crops -- an acre of garden and perhaps one small cash crop -- along with some critters.

So, south of Nevada City? Check. What else do we need to know about location before we go walking property?

For starters, I'd PM DMenscha. He's a realtor in Calaveras County. It seems that Calaveras County is fine for gays as long as you don't flaunt it.