Hi there,

Will be moving to the Eastern Shore within the next three months or so. My hubby is finally getting the workmans comp settlement. While we initially saw some property there for vacation (boy do we need a vacation!) this move is also going to be our last; hopefully.

I did a little homesteading in Ohio in my younger days but we (my ex and I) didn't do cattle. Chickens, rabbits and enough vegetables for the entire year was about all we did. We bartered for the rest of our stuff and our neighbor gave us all of her excess milk that we could use.

Now, hubby and I are looking for a simpler life away from the rat race. It has always been my dream to become a full fledged country gal. I would like to make some freinds before we move there. Anybody could give us some pointers on the best places to get grain, butcher for the livestock and an inexpensive vet?

-- Stephanie Nosacek (possumliving@go.com), August 01, 2000

Answers

I don't live on the Eastern shore but I live in Stafford, Virginia which is not too far away. My experience on looking for property on the Eastern shore is that it was very expensive. I wanted to move away from where I live now because I wanted more acreage but I found that if I kept in commuting distance to Washington, DC, which I have to because I work there, it was way too expensive to get sizeable acreage and I was looking for someting in the $250,000 to $275,000 range. So, I settled for the six and a half acres I have here in Stafford. We were looking for at least ten acres with a liveable house.

My advice is to scout on the internet first to see what you can find for listings in that area first. I don't know what your husband's settlement was but you may want to rethink buying in that area. If you like Virginia, I would think more towards the southwestern part of the state would give you a better deal. Just a thought.

-- Colleen (pyramidgreatdanes@erols.com), August 01, 2000.

Hi I live in Western Virginia near Roanoke. I live about 3 hours from Colleen, 4 hours from D.C. and 5 hours from where your hat floats if you don't stop. If we can be of any service please don't hesitate to e-mail us at any time.

-- Joel Rosen (Joel681@webtv.net), August 01, 2000.

We found some property and will be working with a buyers broker when we come up. I thank you both for your replies. We aren't necessarily worried about the house part yet, just the land.

My daughter-in-law lives in Chesapeake area and she is also doing some scouting around for us. She is sending us maps of the areas etc. We are pretty set on the Eastern Shore regardless of cost. We have both fallen in love with it, why I don't know. Perhaps God as a reason.

I wanted to make some contacts for that area before we came up just because I remember how it was when I first moved to Possum Holler. There is a network that exists among country folk that would never exist anywhere else. Mind, I came from a very clanish area. There are certain protocols that you follow if you don't want to step on toes. I am a product of the Hatfields and McCoys fued, LOL.

Joel, I will definitely be in touch. Thanks.

-- Stephanie Nosacek (possumliving@go.com), August 02, 2000.

Hi stephanie!:) We live in VA. too, the boonies of south central in a small "blink and ya'll miss it town" called Victoria. I remember when we first moved here almost 7 yrs ago from NYS we found this ad in Couintryside for an organic farm on the eastern shore, it sounded so peaceful there, in fact we were told there was only 1 traffic light where that was located. I have long forgot the name of the town. anyways, if you need anything just let me know and I'll be gald to help. I have a friend who lives in Chespeake who raises goats, nubians. Only trouble here is sometimes the jets flying overhead from the military. And there in Chespeake as well. Good luck!

-- Bernice (geminigoats@yahoo.com), August 02, 2000.

Stephanie, We just came back from vacationing in that area and I can say that it is easy to see why you fell in love with it. It is beautiful. I was also extremely taken with the western part of Virginia. Around Charlottesville and Roanoake is the prettiest country I've seen in a long time. Maybe because it isn't where I live....it's pretty beautiful here too, but I guess we all need a change sometimes. Virginia does seem to have a lot to offer, but I know we just scratched the surface. Good luck and keep us all posted!

-- Jennifer (KY) (acornfork@hotmail.com), August 07, 2000.

There was a similar question posted a while ago. To see it go to the old posts, under "land". It is titled Eastern Shore of Virginia Residents. Different people responded.

-- melissa (bizemom@netzero.com), August 08, 2000.

Thanks Melissa, I will do that!

-- Stephanie (possumliving@go.com), August 08, 2000.