Quote Originally Posted by Susan Otcenas View Post
Please take no offense here, but the idea is to prevent precisely the type of lot you are looking for. 3-5 acre lots are useless from an ag perspective, and ag land needs to be preserved for that purpose.
Ah, see this is what we hope to show isn't true...that small lots DO (or can) take full advantage of the agricultural properties of the land. This country needs more small scale farms (think permaculture) again if it's going to survive the future! But I totally agree that urban sprawl is NOT useful and absolutely appreciate laws that discourage it. We are not the "get a big plot and put a big honkin' house on it just to impress the neighbors" type people, at all. Thanks for the heads up about the zoning though, that's really helpful to know.

Any idea if the larger lots closer-in discourage farming? We found a few that are borderline in our price range in Hillsboro (2.5 acres), but we don't know if city laws would prevent us from farming and keeping chickens (big maybe on the chickens...that's DH's desire, not mine!).

Oh, and also thanks for the advice on the weather. I was noticing that a lot of the newer homes had AC and coming from the south, I couldn't help but wonder 'why?'! I'm pretty sure we wouldn't even use it...even on the hottest days!

Quote Originally Posted by Xrayted View Post
Welcome!! The more the merrier.

My best advice to you since you are driving across at that time of year (We did it last year at the end of March) is to go to AAA for a safe route. Many of the interstates are actually closed on and off due to major snow. When I say closed, I mean they put down a railroad barrier thingy and no one moves until the police say so. We were stuck in WY during a total whiteout. That is even following what we thought would be a decent route. Stay on the southern side and you should be fine.
That is excellent advice, thanks! I never even thought about closed roads, or to check AAA, but it makes perfect sense. Cool!