Homesteading

[Excalibur]

does anyone know which states US or canada that still have homesteading

[Sourdough]

does anyone know which states US or canada that still have homesteading

Do you mean "FREE" land, in exchange for clearing and planting and building a 144 sq. ft. building. Is that what you are asking about land from the Federal Government...?????

[beerrunner13]

I believe the homestead act of 1975 stoped the free land from the US goverment but Canada has a way to do it still you have to become a citizen and do a few other things and the areas are limited

[BraggSurvivor]

I may be mistaking but all that is available is a lease. Trax?

[beerrunner13]

Could be last time I looked it up was a year or so ago, I rember ya had to live there a year and do so much inprovment apply to become a citizen if you were not already and a few other things, I know for sure not in the US but the BLM will and sometimes dose sell land at market value.

[Sourdough]

I believe the homestead act of 1975 stoped the free land from the US goverment but Canada has a way to do it still you have to become a citizen and do a few other things and the areas are limited

That is my understanding also. I had my Homestead (Clearwater River area)well underway by 1974.

They had started by cutting way back on the good areas in 1970, and by 1973 it was down to land that was so un-useable as far a location, that the State (ALASKA) had much better quality land and nice lake front property that you could stake.

[Rick]

Here's a FAQ on the BLM land:

http://www.pueblo.gsa.gov/cic_text/f...ndForSale.html

Here is some information for migrating to Canada:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/immigrate/index.asp

Here is some information on Canadian Homesteading. Apparently, preemption was outlawed with the Land Act of 1970.

http://www.royalbcmuseum.bc.ca/Conte...uide200705.pdf

You should still be able to acquire private land that is being sold for taxes or foreclosure. I think Wildwoman also had some suggestions for acquiring AK land.

[Chuck]

Alaska still has a homesteading law on the books however it is up to the Commissioner of DNR the allocate the land each year. The last year land was allocated was 1996. There is such a high failure rate( over 90%) DNR puts land into outer programs. We got ours in the last lottery and proved up on it and paid for the survey and some other admin cost. Out of the the 18+ parcels in our area only 4 proved up 2 did a buyout. Only 2 of us live out full time.

The DNR has thousands of acres in over the counter sales most of it is better land than what was put up for homesteading. Land the was put up for homesteading had the worst access and was usually alder hell.

[Ridge Wolf]

If a person, homesteading in Alaska, would agree to use at least part of his homestead land to benefit the state of Alaska would that go to assure his assurance of a homestead plot in that state?

[Sourdough]

If a person, homesteading in Alaska, would agree to use at least part of his homestead land to benefit the state of Alaska would that go to assure his assurance of a homestead plot in that state?

For example???? What ??

[Sourdough]

The reality is you can buy remote land so cheap in Alaska, that it is cheaper to buy than to homestead. Homesteading was and is very expensive. People think it is free to live very remote.

Access to remote property often requires that you own two snowmachines in very good shape, for winter access, figure $5,000.00 to $8,500.00 each for good machines. You'll need a good river boat or good Aircraft for summer access.

You need mechanic skills more that you need survival skills. The ones who make it as Homesteaders are the the ones who can rough it, but the ones who can build or fix anything.

[Ridge Wolf]

For example???? What ??

I was thinking hypothetically that a person wanting to homestead and finding difficulty getting approval for it might have an option to develop at least part of his land to benefit the state in some manner.. that manner is open to unknown options.

However, in reading the additional posts in this thread, I was reminded of what I had heard several years ago that anybody going up to Alaska, whether to homestead or not needed to have a job already lined up as there were so many going up there without a means to make a living, they ended up on the street and started collecting welfare and such. Hence, the requirement to have a job that a person was going there for. Any truth to that... is it still a requirement?

[trax]

I may be mistaking but all that is available is a lease. Trax?

I don't know enough to give an accurate answer. WarEagle? Wildwoman?

[Sourdough]

I was thinking hypothetically that a person wanting to homestead and finding difficulty getting approval for it might have an option to develop at least part of his land to benefit the state in some manner.. that manner is open to unknown options.

However, in reading the additional posts in this thread, I was reminded of what I had heard several years ago that anybody going up to Alaska, whether to homestead or not needed to have a job already lined up as there were so many going up there without a means to make a living, they ended up on the street and started collecting welfare and such. Hence, the requirement to have a job that a person was going there for. Any truth to that... is it still a requirement?

Ridge, you have much needed skills. You could have a job in 5 minutes here. You do not need to have a job to move to Alaska. Thousands come just for the free money (PFD and state welfare).

The best plan is to get here and learn about the many different regions, and different climates, learn where you want your cabin to be.

[Ridge Wolf]

Ridge, you have much needed skills. You could have a job in 5 minutes here. You do not need to have a job to move to Alaska. Thousands come just for the free money (PFD and state welfare).

The best plan is to get here and learn about the many different regions, and different climates, learn where you want your cabin to be.

Thanks hopeak.. maybe in a few years... I might be talking to you about what you're selling... gotta talk the Mrs. into it first..

[Sourdough]

Thanks hopeak.. maybe in a few years... I might be talking to you about what you're selling... gotta talk the Mrs. into it first..

I am sold out.....I just sold my land on the south border of Denali National Park last night.

If what Bragg and I see coming becomes reality......the end of the summer may be to late.

I bought $1,600.- worth of groceries yesterday.

[wildWoman]

People wanting to move to remote areas for a wilderness homestead should think outside the box. There is no more land in Canada for sale for homesteading in areas without road access as far as I know. If you approach it from a different perspective you should be able to find something, in the States or Canada. Find out for what purposes they still sell land or give long-term leases for, see if the permits/qualifications required for that are something you're willing to get. Also there might be restrictions on the size of buildings you can erect, maybe it's only seasonal use etc. By for example getting a trapline and staking a mining claim on it you're set for year-round use. Industrial leases are generally for huge areas of land and don't require you to work them. Just don't let the bureaucrats know you just want to enjoy the place instead of digging it up.

[trax]

The mining stake is an interesting point too, in Manitoba at least, if someone else has the claim staked for mineral rights and you set up there to trap or homestead, you're screwed if the miners decide to come along and drill on your land.

[BraggSurvivor]

There still might be lease land available, if you can find it. In 1993 an old couple on crown land behind me were selling their government lease and wanted to retire. They had moved there in 1947 so I purchased the remaining 63 (160 acres) years for $220K. Half standing wood and half grazing land for my cattle. I lease out 20 acres and house to a women to raise her Alpacas and she lives in a mobile home on the property. She in turn rents out the house and lives pretty cheap. They are great renters and excellent nieghbors to have as we can go away and they look after our animals. I compensate them for the work they do for me in return.

I couldnt imaging what that lease would be worth day.

[Excalibur]

Do you mean "FREE" land, in exchange for clearing and planting and building a 144 sq. ft. building. Is that what you are asking about land from the Federal Government...?????

Im sorry I was tired and fed up with the neighbors I mis spoke let me clarify I am NOT looking for free land, I am NOT talking of escaping governemet (Impossible on THIS Planet), I just want to relocate from "civil" areas to "agrerian"(Spelling?) life I want to WORK for my land, moneis, food, and I dont want to travel 200 meters in any direction and see a house, road, power line, or hear a cell phone ring or...well you get the picture