In part 1 we discussed why you may want to move away from the city. In part 2 we will be discussing locating a home and starting your homestead.

So you did your research and found a location that is affordable, and where you feel your family will do well. So now it is time to find a place to live.

Obviously rural acreage would offer you a lot of options, but maybe your family isn’t ready to move that far from sidewalks. Or maybe you want to test out what living in a smaller community is like before committing to the care and upkeep of acreage.

If that is your scenario look for a location on the outskirts of a town that at least allows chickens if you plan to live inside the city limits. Look for a house on an “oversized” lot or perhaps one that comes with a vacant lot next door that you can purchase too. It is amazing what you can do with a 1/4 acre or more!

If you are outside the city limits the house will most likely have a well and septic system rather than relying on city services. That may seem scary if you aren’t used to it, but it really is a good thing in the long run. Simply have them both tested as part of the buying process. And make sure that includes a test for gallons per minute on the well and the well depth as you are going to want to add a hand-pump so you can still have a water source when the power is out and your well-pump isn’t working.