Sorry this isn't an I/H question, but you guys are good resource for almost anything. The wife and I are considering relocating to the midwest from PA. Been looking into Iowa and Nebraska. Was wondering if anyone lived there and might be able to give a little insight, if there are any places to steer clear of ect... (we have 2 kids). We definately don't want to live in the city, but at the same point we're not gonna be buying a 1000 acres either. We have 60 now and would like to keep it in that ballpark. I gotta have some room for the tractors and eventually some horses. I've been online doing my "homework" but it would be nice to get some opinions from actual residents. Again, sorry it's not a Farmall related question. Thanks alot

Shawn,

If you don't get answers here, I know a good number of guys on the Cowboard live in IA and NE. You could talk to them here:

http://nebraskacowman.proboards.com/index.cgi

How do you intend to live when you move. What is your occupation and what will you be looking for?? Henry

Thanks Mike. Henry, I'm a geologist and my wife is a teacher. We both have researched jobs in several mid-western states. This is not an immediate move. Probably more like a year, just depends, mainly on employment. We're looking for a "farmette" type of property outside of any urban locations. Truthfully the further the better. I mainly just want to know the places to avoid if any, and of course locations/areas that are desirable. By desirable I mean small town, low crime, everyone knows everyone type of town. I don't know anyone who lives in the midwest, so this is really the only avenue I have to get information. Of course I could always subscribe to "Forbes Magazine" and look at the top ten most desirable places to live...which is not my cup of tea, nor in my wallet. The people on this site share similar interests (tractors) as I do, which I feel is a good starting point to gain information that is valuable to me. Thanks again
Shawn

Florence Kansas could use some new citizens. Right in the middle of the Flint Hills, great people, inexpensive land, lots of history. But like so many small farming communities, losing population base. Thinking about moiving back myself. Sounds like you want to be further North, but just thought I would put in a good word for the old homeland.

I don't think there's going to be too many places to avoid. Not much bad out here in the Midwest.

Nebraska is very nice for the most part, but taxes are some of the worst in the nation, to me it's worth it. One problem you may find is that there are about a zillion other people looking for that "farmette" place, and more old farmhouses fall victim each year to center pivots.

I don't know for sure what a geologist does in making a living, but the first thing that came to my mind after reading your post, is a uranium mine outside of Crawford, Nebraska. The name of the company is Crow Butte Resources, and they are starting into an expansion phase. And with both my wife, and myself, having sat on local school boards for multiple terms, I can tell you that there are always teaching jobs available in NW Nebraska. As we've lived here pretty much all of our lives, and raised a family here, we think this is a pretty good place to live. There is always real estate for sale, both developed, and undeveloped, in parcels any size you choose. Lots of local land owners, and realtors, who cater to folks just like you. Real estate taxes are high, and a lot of that in this area has to do with folks relocating from other areas, doing 1031 property exchanges, and giving considerably more for land than what it will produce, for the right to live in what some consider a wilderness area, and the safer, slower, pace of life the area has to offer. Locals have come to accept this for what it is, and that it's not going to change, with some capitalizing on it in a big way. Good luck, I hope you find what you're looking for!! :wink:

My cousin married a WW2 paratrooper vet in 1947 when she finshed High School. She lived in Louisville KY and he was from Imperial NE and after he was discharged they moved there. My uncle was a dentist and he bought them a ranch.
My cousin loved it so much she's still in NE. You may be able to find a farmette in foreclosure. Our local paper has about 10 pages of foreclosures every time it comes out. The auctioneers are making a killing as they're sold on the courthouse steps. Hal

I live in NE NE and it seems to be a decent place. Short of Omaha and Lincoln you don't have too much to wory about in the way of large cities.

Thanks for all the replies. Mirage I don't work with uranium. Mainly I deal with groundwater remediation, but geology has many different avenues, ranging from mining to natural gas/oil extraction, environmental protection, to academic instruction/research. Currently I work for the state in a protection capacity. Florence Kansas is one I'll be checking into. Thanks again for the replies and advice.

Moved to Minnesota. Good mixture of Urban,suburban and rural living. Good pay for teachers as well.

(quoted from post at 23:35:56 11/01/09) Thanks for all the replies. Mirage I don't work with uranium. Mainly I deal with groundwater remediation, but geology has many different avenues, ranging from mining to natural gas/oil extraction, environmental protection, to academic instruction/research. Currently I work for the state in a protection capacity. Florence Kansas is one I'll be checking into. Thanks again for the replies and advice.

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You probably know this, but I thought I'd throw it out. The uranium is mined by ground water solution and extraction, so I would suppose that ground water remediation and protection is a pretty big part of it, at least I hope so. It's kind of an issue with irrigators in the area, and I am one, because we are restricted to pumping 16" per acre per year on our irrigated crop land, and Crow Butte Resources, operating within the same NRD, has no pumping restrictions. Just more info for you to consider. Again, good luck!! :wink: