Hello,
I wanted to introduce myself and briefly ramble about why I'm planning on escaping the east.
I am a 34 year old, civil engineer by trade, husband and father of a 4 year old special needs boy. We are planning a relocation westward (Wyoming or NW Montana) because of the government bureaucracies, rapidly growing dependent classes and the frighteningly apathetic, misguided, unconnected and unprepared "patriotic conservative" folks I'm surrounded by. The latter being the most demoralizing. They're perfectly happy playing the Democrat/Republican game rather than discussing the real issues and at least attempting to develop real solutions. In fact, you might be deemed crazy for saying you like "wacky" people like Ron Paul. I digress. Basically, I fear Tennessee or east of the mississipp for that matter is not a wise choice for residency in the next 10 years. There are just too many people in general and too many people that think modern amerika is immune from the hardships/horrors that tyranny creates. Morality has been replaced with oppressive legalism that is all too evident at my son's school, civil engineering jobs(which are either govt jobs or govt contract jobs), my neighborhood association, the growing police state,etc. Though there are adequate places to hold up in Tennessee, the west offers a longer term opportunity to pursue freedom. And, goodness, we are gonna need it.
My wife has never really been out west, so, adaptation is a slight concern, although I think she will grow to love it. I have lived in N California, Utah and NW Wyoming for brief stints working seasonal jobs with the forest service and such ;so, it might be easier for me but a transition none the less. For too long my wife and I have sacrificed who we are for big city paychecks that have produced more gray hair, emptiness and heartache than wealth.
I am looking for 5+ acres maybe adjacent to gov land to be self sufficient and basically off grid. However, I do have to consider my son's needs which at times require specialized care. Although I want us to be self sufficient I do realize the need for community such as FSW and good neighbors to trade with, share with, shoot with and occasionally drink a frothy beverage with.
That being said, Hello to all!! I hope to get out there in the next couple months to explore real estate options and look around.
I plan to attend the Jamboree as well if gas prices aren't $10 bucks a gallon. And, I'd love to take Boston's rifle course though he might not like my short barreled FAL. But, hey, it's crowded here and you just need more maneuverability.
Forgive the long-windedness
thanks