Finding home, part 1

There has been much written about finding your place in the country. How to research an area, what questions to ask, legwork that needs to be done. Often the reality of your personal situation twists that advice about.

Location

Most people have a dream of what they want and a list of what they need. But they also have jobs or family or other committments that narrow where they can go.

When we started our search, we knew we wanted to be no more than 6 driving hours from our grandchildren. So we took a map and drew a circle with them as the center. Unfortunately, they live in a western Chicago suburb. This eliminated everything due East. North was out also--having lived most of our lives in New York, we weren't anxious to be colder.

West was a possibility, and South. Finally, we decided to investigate southern Indiana and it was a good fit.

What's your geocenter? Do you have a locus to your search or are you one of the few who can truly settle anywhere?

Familiarity

Some people are truly adventurous and relish new and strange experiences. We like to think that we are open to change but a touch of the familiar can help the transition.

Our new location has much in common with our old: very rural, rolling hills and trees, small town within 15 miles, temperate climate, low-key lifestyle. We feel comfortable with these basics and can look forward to the differences (6a hardiness zone instead of 5a--wahoo!).

Could you go from your location to a completely different setting, culture, language? If so, great! If not, look for similiarities so you can feel comfortable embracing the rest.

Ask the Hard Questions

What those are depends on your values, on what is important to you. Having lived most of my life in New York, I found out the hard way in a disastrous move to North Carolina that the little things you take for granted may be done differently elsewhere.

So thsi time I pestered my realtor with questions:

Where's the dump? Why don't more places have well water? Tornados? TORNADOES? Local farm stands, markets? Explain property taxes to me IN DETAIL. Zoning laws? Flooding? Is this road plowed in winter? Does this state have a use tax? Are there bears here? Which direction does the house face? Where's the nearest library? What are those bumpy rocks in everyone's garden?

The internet will help tremendously here, but you have to know enough to know what to ask. And some things can only be found out in person.

To be continued.