The best states to homestead in! If you’re considering making a move to become a homesteader, it helps to know which states are best for homesteading. Some areas naturally have much more accessible land for growing crops or just growing your own food; and maintaining different animals, including pigs, cows, and chickens.
If you choose the right location, you’ll end up living in a safe and comfortable environment with acres of land for your family. Although there are dozens of urban city areas throughout the United States, you’ll also find several excellent rural areas with plenty of space for homesteaders.
Things to Consider When Buying Homesteading Property
- Land Prices
- Homestead Exemptions
- Water Accessibility & Other Natural Resources
- Climate & Natural Disasters
- Growing Season
- State Laws
- Family Needs (homeschooling laws for instance)
Your First Homestead – Are You Really Ready to Buy?
How to Buy an Off-Grid Home
Leaving the City: Pros and Cons to Country Life
What to Do While You Wait on Your Dream Homestead
West Virginia
West Virginia is one of several states welcoming homesteaders. It’s a state that provides the Homestead Exemption, reducing the property taxes homesteading individuals need to pay for their land. If you’d like to save on property taxes and enjoy a spacious area surrounded by trees and shrubs, this is a great state to choose.
Advantages of West Virginia Living
If you like the idea of living in a small town, this is a great state for you. While West Virginia is home to many cities, some larger than others, it still gives off that old-school, small-town vibe. The prices for homes in the state are considerably lower than the cost of homes in other states across the country. Not only are the homes cheaper, but so is the cost of living, in general. You can save money by choosing to move to West Virginia.
Tennessee
The state of Tennessee has a special law for homesteaders. Even if you find yourself dealing with debt in the future, the state doesn’t allow a creditor to take your land from you. Of course, you may not intend to get into that type of situation in the first place, but it helps to know that the state is on your side.
The Benefits of Living in Tennessee
The state offers homesteading grants to help you get started. While you can’t expect to get your home and land for free, you can expect to get a bit of financial assistance to put toward your homesteading venture.
The amount provided in the form of a grant varies from person to person, but some people have received up to $100,000 in grants from the state. You may want to consider applying for a grant if you’re going to move to Tennessee.
There is a lot more to love than just the grants provided by the state. Unlike other states, Tennessee doesn’t charge a state income tax. It’s one of the most affordable places to live in the entire United States. Even when you’re living the homesteading life, you won’t live far from beautiful places to visit for entertainment purposes. This is one of the best states to homestead in!
Maine
If you’re looking to save more money on property taxes each year, Maine is a great choice. The state offers an exemption of roughly $20,000. If you’d like to receive the exemption, you’ll need to live in Maine. It’ll also take several years before you can apply for the exemption. However, if you plan on living here for the long haul, you’ll eventually get to apply for and receive the exemption.
Good Reasons to Move to Maine
Maine is a great state to live in when you’re a homesteader. It’s full of tons of land and recreational space. You’ll notice the beautiful scenery from the minute you visit the area. It’s one of the cheaper states to live in, allowing you to save money on necessities. Maine has a lower crime rate than most of the other states across the country. If you’d love to live in a quiet, peaceful area, Maine is a top choice.
Missouri
Like several other states in the country, Missouri does offer an exemption to those living in the stead and homesteading. The exemption caps off at $15,000. Besides the exemption, you’ll also get to take advantage of the tax benefits provided by the state. Not all states in the country offer these same benefits, which gives you a great reason to move to Missouri.
The Advantages of Living in Missouri
The cost of living in Missouri is incredibly low. If you’re a military veteran, you’ll have access to additional benefits that are worth looking into. Missouri is a peaceful place to live with plenty of land. Despite having lots of extra land, you’ll notice you’ll have many things to do in the state. It’s a popular state for sports, so you’ll have no problem finding activities for your children to participate in, such as football and basketball.
Pennsylvania
The state of Pennsylvania offers protection for homesteaders under a homesteading law. You can take advantage of the tax relief while living in an area with plenty of land. Pennsylvania is home to many Amish people who continue to live off-grid.
Good Reasons to Live in Pennsylvania
You’ll have no problem finding a great place to live in the state of Pennsylvania. There are great suburban areas with lots of land available for you to have a homestead. You can grow various crops and take care of as many animals as you’d like on the land.
The cost of living in the state isn’t too high. The traffic in the suburban areas isn’t bad at all, especially compared to major cities in the state. If you’d look forward to living in an area where you’ll get to enjoy different types of weather throughout all four seasons, Pennsylvania is an ideal state to move to for homesteading purposes.
Other States to Consider
- Idaho
- Texas
- Michigan
- Oregon
Some states still offer free land to homesteaders: Where Free Land Can Be Found in the 21st Century
Best States to Homestead In
When you’re serious about getting started with homesteading, you may want to move from your current location to a state with much more land and better homesteading laws. Several states across the country are ideal for homesteading, and these are just a few of them.
Be sure to consider the advantages of each state and take the time to look at the available homes. You’ll also need to look at the amount of land you can get for the best price in these different areas. Before you know it, you’ll be ready to make a move to a new state.
What do you think are some of the best states to homestead in? Leave your thoughts in the comments!
Florida also has no state taxes and a homestead exemption of $25,000. It’s a pretty temperate climate, we get to garden all year round. Some might want to consider Florida. We also have online schools for those who’re interested in homeschooling and the online schools need good teachers.
Currently, there is an employee shortage in nearly every industry and they’re desperately needed.
Hope this helps your list! Stay blessed!
I learn something new everyday! This is great information, thank you!
How does one find out how each state defines a “homestead”?
That’s a good question. Generally they have to produce food of some sort. But I think this differs from state to state. I was able to find a lot by searching homestead laws and the state name.
Thank you!
So glad you found it helpful!!
I mean, the link regarding “homestead exemptions” is referring to bankruptcy protection, as far as I can tell.
I’ll see if I can find another link with more explanations…or maybe I need to write one!
Thanks! Love you site!
Ah, Susan, thank you so much!
I’m originally from Illinois and now live in South Central Georgia and love it down here for homesteading! We have better weather, longer growing season, animal friendly, less taxes, cheaper cost of living, shorter winter. All the way around a better place to homestead!
Great reasons to homestead in GA!!!