I live in CT, and it's the worst state to homestead in. The property taxes are amongst the highest in the country. We even pay high property taxes on our vehicles. I do like the seasons, and living in the middle of the woods. However, the taxes are the worst. Being around New Yorkers doesn't help either.
Exactly. The taxes are really my only gripe with connecticut. I wish they would leave me alone. I've been in my house 58 years and all they do is keep harassing me with tax liens and threats of tax foreclosure.
As a CT resident looking to get out, it's because of cost of living, available real estate to do any sort of homesteading on, its a nanny state, etc. It's a beautiful state for sure, just not doable for the average person anymore. Great job on all the videos on this topic btw, great resource.
In 1995 when I could no longer afford the property taxes and was $29,600 in arrears and just days away from a tax foreclosure I inquired to the state Governor about a homestead exemption. The response was that the homesteading exemption was removed in 1976.
I live in East Haven, next to New Haven. Need to get out badly. Getting bad around here. Have 6 kids. Afraid of how to accomplish this with work and money but want to be more self sufficient and away from cities.
I live in Tolland, CT near Shenipsit lake and there's a nice secluded homestead a mile away from me at 41°53'48.5"N 72°24'43.8"W Not only are they near a large lake, but they have a bridge going over a brook on their driveway and a marsh land on one side with lots of natural resources and a large forest on the other side. Down the road is a horse stable and on the other side of the lake in Ellington, CT is a lot of farm land. The closest hospital is only 10 minutes away in Rockville, CT. There aren't many NY vacation homes on this side of the Connecticut river. Most of those are on the other side of the state.
My homestead farm is between Torrington and Hartford, CT. I spent 5 years looking for the right location (for me). My criteria was 10-30 acres, top of a hill or mountain heavily forested, terraced, well water with septic, room for solar. I nagree that distance from a major city is important, but just as important are its defensability (specifically limited, one-direction access), independence (ability to grow veg, raise animals), and terrain. With all that, the taxes are relatively high, but not for forested land.
We live in CT for my wife to work at Yale, spring 2023 we purchased 60 acres just north of the CT/MA line ( it's within the NW green circle you put on the map). We had originally been looking at places in VT/NH, but this property being only an hour from our current home gives me more opportunities to get up there to work on the homestead. We are currently awaiting USDA approval for a 20 acre clear cut where 5 acres will be for building house, barn, hoop houses, workshop and the other 15 we will be re-planting with native edible tree and shrub species. The property was part of an old 300 acre cattle farm from colonial times and the topsoil is amazing, right now almost the entirety of the property is covered in hemlock and white pine which we will be thinning out. We hope to be able to move up there full time when the kids go to college, so in about 15 years. Lots of work ahead of us before that becomes a reality.
That piece of property you're highlighting in the northwest corner of Connecticut was purchased in 1999 or 2000 by William F O'Shaughnessy co-owner of Whitney radio in New Rochelle New york. I learned that the property taxes on that house in that year 25 years ago were 25,000 a year.
My family lives in NYC and we have a 6.5 acre homestead in Fairfield County (right in the middle of your no-go circle). NYC is our primary home. We are far from woke, as are many of our New York friends. I think you'd be surprised at the political diversity in the city, even in the most liberal neighborhoods. We spend time at our CT house on weekends and in the summer. We have chickens and a large garden here (we pay a neighbor kid to tend to the chickens when we won't be around for too long). Our kids play on town sports teams and volunteer at the local zoo in CT, and that means we have real relationships here. So while we aren't at the center of the community, I wouldn't say we're undermining it either. (Also, we homeschool and these towns' communities revolve around the public schools, so we would never be fully incorporated here anyway.) It's true that there is a lot of money in CT and a lot of second homes (like ours), but honestly? The VAST majority of people here are full-timers. Especially up in Litchfield County where your first highlighted property is. There are TONS of homesteads and farms in CT. CT has an incredibly rich farming history and great soil. Also, outside of what people call the Gold Coast (Fairfield County) and right near Hartford, there's actually not a lot of money. You might be surprised how inexpensive some properties in the state are. (But yes, taxes are BRUTAL.) Basically, I would say this series is not terribly useful if you aren't actually familiar with a place. To look at a map of the United States and see CT's proximity to NYC and then conclude that it would only have little pockets of "homesteadability" is just really small-minded (a tiny state is still vast in terms of real geography, and you don't need to travel very far from the city to find real farms). To say it with any authority whatsoever is preposterous, even with all of your disclaimers. Like, why even make the video?
The last property you showed in Union, (i live right in the area) I have hiked in that area pretty extensively and you are correct. Very cool area of CT that many dont know about but shows evidence of glacial activity tucked away in the dense woods. Random boulders the size of houses and other areas where boulders off of a hillsides form little caves and caverns. Random 4+ foot diameter trees. lots of porcupine, deer, turkey, and beaver in the area haha saw my first black bear this year to!
In the 1960s when I lived in Westport, CT it was a bedroom community of NYC. It wasn't really thought of as a summer resort. It was a year-round community where the wealthy New Yorkers had year-round homes. Yes you could spend the summer in CT BUT there are much nicer places to spend summers that New Yorkers prefer such as Block Island, RI , Watch Hill, RI or Newport, RI , especially if they sail recreationally. Having lived , for the most part year-round in both states in Westport, CT and Newport, RI, I speak from experience. In fact when we lived in Westport, Ct, we spent summers on one of the smaller islands in Narragansett Bay in Newport County RI which are relatives had been doing for generations since the 1800s.
I live in Canterbury a small town in northeastern Connecticut, but unfortunately, the taxes even here are horrible and it’s some of the lower taxes in the state. I won’t even get into that. We have the highest utilities in the country but somehow we still have just over 30 acres with cattle and sheep
As people are finding out more and more this year, moving down south doesn't work either. Florida's property taxes have doubled in the last year other states are having issues and then of course there's the awful storms tornadoes hurricanes etc. And then there's the super heat of the south. The number of people have said enough is enough and move back up north because they just can't take the climate anymore. So you can either live in a geologically safe region and pay high taxes and have to deal with bullshit government or you can move down south and pay slightly less high taxes but have your home destroyed every couple of years by floods tornadoes hurricanes etc.
@@francescoromanello3310 I couldn't see the move to any portion of the world that's under control of the US gov, so I opted to leave the US entirely for rural Japan. There are 8 million homes for sale for the price of a used car in Japan, many are quite livable.
I've been here my whole life... against my will, haha Taxes are too high. I'd love to get up to NH. Grew going there every summer and it just feels like home. Maybe someday but i work in healthcare and my husband in real estate market so have to be particular where we end up.
CT= HIGH TAXES (on everything) CT= not much to do here CT= SUPER EXPENSIVE to live here CT= good welfare system- but not to the people who actually need it! In other words… don’t come here lol sad state! If I had not burn through my savings during the “pandemic”… I would not be here right now.
We're there for now. Secluded area , lots of farms and we've got amazing like minded neighbors. Go to a farm in bozrah for raw dairy. Trying to grow as much as we can and plant lots of perennial native fruits. Nut trees to come! Too much family and childcare to just leave. ❤
Actually, now living in CT for 40+ years I must inform you that CT is well within the Northeast "Woke" culture so indeed if you of the independent bent and taking responsibility for your own welfare you will not be able to build community regardless vacation homes for NYC refugees or permanent established communities.
Greetings from the Quiet Corner of Connecticut! If you are from New York City or Boston, go some place else!
I live in CT, and it's the worst state to homestead in. The property taxes are amongst the highest in the country. We even pay high property taxes on our vehicles. I do like the seasons, and living in the middle of the woods. However, the taxes are the worst. Being around New Yorkers doesn't help either.
Exactly. The taxes are really my only gripe with connecticut. I wish they would leave me alone. I've been in my house 58 years and all they do is keep harassing me with tax liens and threats of tax foreclosure.
As a CT resident looking to get out, it's because of cost of living, available real estate to do any sort of homesteading on, its a nanny state, etc. It's a beautiful state for sure, just not doable for the average person anymore. Great job on all the videos on this topic btw, great resource.
In 1995 when I could no longer afford the property taxes and was $29,600 in arrears and just days away from a tax foreclosure I inquired to the state Governor about a homestead exemption. The response was that the homesteading exemption was removed in 1976.
I live in East Haven, next to New Haven. Need to get out badly. Getting bad around here. Have 6 kids. Afraid of how to accomplish this with work and money but want to be more self sufficient and away from cities.
I live in Tolland, CT near Shenipsit lake and there's a nice secluded homestead a mile away from me at 41°53'48.5"N 72°24'43.8"W Not only are they near a large lake, but they have a bridge going over a brook on their driveway and a marsh land on one side with lots of natural resources and a large forest on the other side. Down the road is a horse stable and on the other side of the lake in Ellington, CT is a lot of farm land. The closest hospital is only 10 minutes away in Rockville, CT. There aren't many NY vacation homes on this side of the Connecticut river. Most of those are on the other side of the state.
East of the River is the only place I’d live…..born and raised in Ellington.
CT is GREAT but make sure you have DEEP pockets.
My homestead farm is between Torrington and Hartford, CT. I spent 5 years looking for the right location (for me). My criteria was 10-30 acres, top of a hill or mountain heavily forested, terraced, well water with septic, room for solar. I nagree that distance from a major city is important, but just as important are its defensability (specifically limited, one-direction access), independence (ability to grow veg, raise animals), and terrain. With all that, the taxes are relatively high, but not for forested land.
Good to know. I need a lot of help with this.
We live in CT for my wife to work at Yale, spring 2023 we purchased 60 acres just north of the CT/MA line ( it's within the NW green circle you put on the map). We had originally been looking at places in VT/NH, but this property being only an hour from our current home gives me more opportunities to get up there to work on the homestead. We are currently awaiting USDA approval for a 20 acre clear cut where 5 acres will be for building house, barn, hoop houses, workshop and the other 15 we will be re-planting with native edible tree and shrub species. The property was part of an old 300 acre cattle farm from colonial times and the topsoil is amazing, right now almost the entirety of the property is covered in hemlock and white pine which we will be thinning out. We hope to be able to move up there full time when the kids go to college, so in about 15 years. Lots of work ahead of us before that becomes a reality.
These are awesome! Great advice, I appreciate your deep dives and unique insight.
We are getting a lot of Chemtrails! That is a problem...
I live in East Haven by Tweed airport and the smell of airplane fumes alone is getting worse, especially now that they forcing the expansion
That piece of property you're highlighting in the northwest corner of Connecticut was purchased in 1999 or 2000 by William F O'Shaughnessy co-owner of Whitney radio in New Rochelle New york. I learned that the property taxes on that house in that year 25 years ago were 25,000 a year.
There’s tons of small farms 10 minutes from new haven. Beautiful state
We are in CT. Because of proximity to family. Met you in MO in May. Great series ! Scope out R.I. next. Thanks !
I live in Shelton right near the hoosatonic river! It’s a low tax town mainly blue collar folks.
Lived in Mystic , Pawcatuck , Ridgefield , and Deep River CT
Low tax and CT doesn't mix. CT has the some of the highest property taxes in the country.
@@DoubleDown310 not in Shelton our mayor is good on taxes.
And a lot of crime in the valley
@ not really.
My family lives in NYC and we have a 6.5 acre homestead in Fairfield County (right in the middle of your no-go circle). NYC is our primary home. We are far from woke, as are many of our New York friends. I think you'd be surprised at the political diversity in the city, even in the most liberal neighborhoods. We spend time at our CT house on weekends and in the summer. We have chickens and a large garden here (we pay a neighbor kid to tend to the chickens when we won't be around for too long). Our kids play on town sports teams and volunteer at the local zoo in CT, and that means we have real relationships here. So while we aren't at the center of the community, I wouldn't say we're undermining it either. (Also, we homeschool and these towns' communities revolve around the public schools, so we would never be fully incorporated here anyway.)
It's true that there is a lot of money in CT and a lot of second homes (like ours), but honestly? The VAST majority of people here are full-timers. Especially up in Litchfield County where your first highlighted property is. There are TONS of homesteads and farms in CT. CT has an incredibly rich farming history and great soil. Also, outside of what people call the Gold Coast (Fairfield County) and right near Hartford, there's actually not a lot of money. You might be surprised how inexpensive some properties in the state are. (But yes, taxes are BRUTAL.)
Basically, I would say this series is not terribly useful if you aren't actually familiar with a place. To look at a map of the United States and see CT's proximity to NYC and then conclude that it would only have little pockets of "homesteadability" is just really small-minded (a tiny state is still vast in terms of real geography, and you don't need to travel very far from the city to find real farms). To say it with any authority whatsoever is preposterous, even with all of your disclaimers. Like, why even make the video?
The last property you showed in Union, (i live right in the area) I have hiked in that area pretty extensively and you are correct. Very cool area of CT that many dont know about but shows evidence of glacial activity tucked away in the dense woods. Random boulders the size of houses and other areas where boulders off of a hillsides form little caves and caverns. Random 4+ foot diameter trees. lots of porcupine, deer, turkey, and beaver in the area haha saw my first black bear this year to!
In the 1960s when I lived in Westport, CT it was a bedroom community of NYC. It wasn't really thought of as a summer resort. It was a year-round community where the wealthy New Yorkers had year-round homes. Yes you could spend the summer in CT BUT there are much nicer places to spend summers that New Yorkers prefer such as Block Island, RI , Watch Hill, RI or Newport, RI , especially if they sail recreationally.
Having lived , for the most part year-round in both states in Westport, CT and Newport, RI, I speak from experience. In fact when we lived in Westport, Ct, we spent summers on one of the smaller islands in Narragansett Bay in Newport County RI which are relatives had been doing for generations since the 1800s.
Have you did TN yet Curtis?
Yes
Please do videos on MN and WI!
I live in Canterbury a small town in northeastern Connecticut, but unfortunately, the taxes even here are horrible and it’s some of the lower taxes in the state. I won’t even get into that. We have the highest utilities in the country but somehow we still have just over 30 acres with cattle and sheep
YEEESS. Thank you.
Isn’t the Midwest good for homesteading?
As people are finding out more and more this year, moving down south doesn't work either. Florida's property taxes have doubled in the last year other states are having issues and then of course there's the awful storms tornadoes hurricanes etc. And then there's the super heat of the south. The number of people have said enough is enough and move back up north because they just can't take the climate anymore. So you can either live in a geologically safe region and pay high taxes and have to deal with bullshit government or you can move down south and pay slightly less high taxes but have your home destroyed every couple of years by floods tornadoes hurricanes etc.
Great, great point. Spot on, I’m not sure the going South route is a good idea for homesteading. There is soooo much cheap land in NY.
@@francescoromanello3310 I couldn't see the move to any portion of the world that's under control of the US gov, so I opted to leave the US entirely for rural Japan. There are 8 million homes for sale for the price of a used car in Japan, many are quite livable.
Hahaha unbelievable! The mansion you pictured is across the street from my wife’s parents house which is just across town.
Do you have recommended area for texas?
Yes. North east corner.
Can you do southern utah??
I've been here my whole life... against my will, haha
Taxes are too high. I'd love to get up to NH. Grew going there every summer and it just feels like home. Maybe someday but i work in healthcare and my husband in real estate market so have to be particular where we end up.
CT= HIGH TAXES (on everything)
CT= not much to do here
CT= SUPER EXPENSIVE to live here
CT= good welfare system- but not to the people who actually need it!
In other words… don’t come here lol sad state! If I had not burn through my savings during the “pandemic”… I would not be here right now.
Pennsylvania please bro!
Colchester a great place for a homestead
We're there for now. Secluded area , lots of farms and we've got amazing like minded neighbors. Go to a farm in bozrah for raw dairy. Trying to grow as much as we can and plant lots of perennial native fruits. Nut trees to come! Too much family and childcare to just leave. ❤
Idaho !
Actually, now living in CT for 40+ years I must inform you that CT is well within the Northeast "Woke" culture so indeed if you of the independent bent and taking responsibility for your own welfare you will not be able to build community regardless vacation homes for NYC refugees or permanent established communities.
Anything south or west of Hartford is pseudo New York
New London is bad.
Where the Coast Guard station is....