Criteria for a Place to Call Home
Criteria for a Place to Call Home: Part 2
Criteria for a Place to Call Home: Part 3
Criteria for a Place to Call Home: Part 4
Criteria for a Place to Call Home: Part 5
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A map of some of the areas we are interested in |
After adding all of the points together for each location, we came up with the following rankings.
Ranking | Area | Points |
---|---|---|
1 | Sequim, WA | 220 |
2 | Port Angeles, WA | 218 |
3 | Prescott, AZ | 210 |
4 | Williams, AZ | 208 |
5 | Flagstaff, AZ | 206 |
6 | Port Townsend, WA | 205 |
7 | Bonners Ferry, ID | 201 |
9 | Porthill, ID | 198 |
10 | Grangeville, ID | 196 |
11 | Polson, MT | 193 |
12 | Coeur d'Alene, ID | 188 |
13 | Fort Collins, CO | 187 |
14 | Coupeville, WA | 183 |
15 | Colorado Springs, CO | 179 |
16 | Spokane, WA | 177 |
16 | Kamiah, ID | 177 |
18 | Bigfork, MT | 169 |
18 | Moscow, ID | 169 |
18 | Orofino, ID | 168 |
20 | Durango, CO | 166 |
20 | Oakridge, OR | 166 |
20 | Ashland, OR | 166 |
23 | Hood River, OR | 163 |
23 | Cheney, WA | 163 |
25 | Medford, OR | 160 |
25 | Milton Freewater, OR | 160 |
27 | La Grande, OR | 156 |
28 | Logan, UT | 149 |
29 | Corvallis, OR | 147 |
30 | Roseburg, OR | 144 |
31 | St. Maries, ID | 138 |
32 | Boulder, CO | 137 |
33 | St. Helens, OR | 136 |
34 | Molalla, OR | 132 |
35 | Drain, OR | 128 |
36 | Dallas, OR | 120 |
37 | McMinnville, OR | 117 |
38 | Cottage Grove, OR | 103 |
The point system was always meant to be just a starting point. It was meant to give us a way to compare different locations in a somewhat objective way.
There were three factors that had the most effect on the rankings:
- Annual moisture & factors relating to growing conditions
- Affordability of land and
- Proximity to recreation/public lands
From these rankings we decided to home in on the top 15 for more research.
Ranking | Area | Points |
---|---|---|
1 | Sequim, WA | 220 |
2 | Port Angeles, WA | 218 |
3 | Prescott, AZ | 210 |
4 | Williams, AZ | 208 |
5 | Flagstaff, AZ | 206 |
6 | Port Townsend, WA | 205 |
7 | Bonners Ferry, ID | 201 |
9 | Porthill, ID | 198 |
10 | Grangeville, ID | 196 |
11 | Polson, MT | 193 |
12 | Coeur d'Alene, ID | 188 |
13 | Fort Collins, CO | 187 |
14 | Coupeville, WA | 183 |
15 | Colorado Springs, CO | 179 |
When we started doing more research we noticed something curious. Many of the places that ranked highest had relatively dry climates, sometimes too dry. When we looked at some places such as Arizona and Colorado, the land that was affordable for us was very much desert. So while Arizona ranked highly, we decided that it would be just too dry for us. This was the ultimate indication that our criteria are just a tool to be used in conjunction with other information in the homestead search.
Since narrowing down our our focus have made reconnaissance trips to the following communities:
- The rain shadow of the Olympic Pennisula in Washington State including:
- Port Angeles
- Port Townsend
- Sequim
- Northern Idaho including the communities of:
- Bonners Ferry
- Porthill
- Coeur d'Alene
- The Chain Lakes (north of St. Maries)
- Moscow
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Northern Idaho near Rose Lake |
At this point we have not ruled out Coupeville, WA or Polson, MT, but we have not had a chance to visit either place yet. If we do not find the time or money to visit them soon, then we will continue to focus our search on places we have had the chance to visit.
So ultimately going through the trouble of the criteria was worth it. It helped us eliminate some areas and focus in on others. Now that we were done with this step we could start the fun part: Field Trips!
Next week I will talk about our first trip to northern Idaho.
You might also look at the Republic/Kettle valley region in Northern Washington. Similar to the Idaho panhandle in climate and terrain. Probably cheaper land. We have been amazed by how much development there has been near Sandpoint. We don't know the area wll, just from casually traveling through.
ReplyDeleteWe actually met a farmer from the Kettle Falls area. We were intrigued since they were even able to grow Peaches. I think that we are going to try to swing through there on one of our upcoming trips to the area.
ReplyDelete