Tennessee For Homesteading: Where I Would (And Wouldn't) Homestead

[@loriturner609]

Glad you’re covering TN! I’ll throw my two cents into the comments, in case it’s valuable. One major issue to consider with the entire western portion of TN is its proximity to the New Madrid Fault Zone. When it does decide to go off, it will be devastating. Something to consider about Knoxville region is its proximity to Oak Ridge (nuclear facility). Also, tornado alley has shifted east a good bit, and my own town of Columbia TN took a direct hit during the recent storms. It was terrible. Oldtimer locals will tell you that if you build in the hollows, those tornadoes usually jump right over you. In general, one of the safest zones in the entire US is on the Cumberland Ridge.

[@CrossroadToCountry]

TN has the highest amount of nighttime tornadoes in the US. But I love it.

[@better_than_nothing]

All of Tennessee has horrible fault lines. We also have a vast swath of poisonous snakes and wildfires. You do not want to move to Tennessee. I would suggest looking in Kentucky or Alabama.

[@jonathanbenka7604]

California and New York need to leave TN

[@cchico41]

thank you for sharing

[@CCAnne]

@@better_than_nothingwe’re closing on our homestead in upstate NY I’m devastated I loved my home so much, we had everything I ever needed, but this is not a place to raise your children, way to dangerous now. I have a little land with a trailer by holday tn and my moms in tn, I can’t make up my mind where we’re going, I have 2 days to tell my realtor since we’re going to rent while we build up another small homestead and we recover from the hell we endured in NY the last few years .. any ideas?

[@GregMoore-ld8tb]

We bought a house and moved to Tennessee three years ago. Six months later, I found 100 acres that are just on the line of your Nashville circle. The land was less expensive than you would think because it was so remote (hilly with no utility access). The area and climate are perfect for homesteading, but what is more expensive than the land is any building support services (wells, roads, housing, barns). Every contractor thinks of themselves as a high-end builder, so you must learn to do things yourself more than I would have thought. Plus, they are all backed up two years on jobs from all the new construction. Take your time, and you will save money.

[@John-Adams-Can]

You are describing my area of Ontario Canada. Building ourselves. 33 acres.

[@scotts8284]

Great information. Thank you for sharing.

[@better_than_nothing]

It's not that every builder thinks of themselves as high-end builders. It's that, because of this economy, every builder has to charge as a high-end builder to be able to make ends meet. You're welcome to go back to whatever state you came from and attempt the same thing there. You'll realize very quickly that our builders here are reasonably priced.

[@vonheise]

We live in a suburb of Memphis and it is not an area to homestead, however I have lived in Knoxville and our son lives there now. I would say that the mountains of east Tennessee would be the best area to homestead, however, based on KZbinrs, most homesteaders prefer further north even with the shorter growing season. (We own land between Huntingdon and Bruceton but wouldn't likely homestead there, but it is good farm land.)

[@brockreynolds870]

@@vonheise I think a lot of it is more mountainous areas usually have thin, rocky soils, making it difficult to grow your own food.

[@HomesteadForALiving]

I absolutely love here in Hickman County for homesteading. 1) An hour from Nashville so you have proximity when needed, but out of the way of most of the development. 2) Rolling hills make it not ideal for big ag, keeping the water relatively clear of pesticide and herbicide runoff. 3) Strong homestead community with monthly meetings, plant swaps, a homesteading festival, etc. 4) More natural springs than anywhere in the US. 5) Lots of affordable land ranging from 1 acre lots to several hundred acre properties 6) lots of fundamentalist religious groups that farm and homeschool in the area: heritage church, Amish, Mennonite, 7th day Adventist, etc. 7) Resilient economy with businesses like Farmers Friend and T Rex arms headquartered here

[@BelindaTN]

Make no mistake. The extreme rural areas of TN has its crazy people and plenty of risk in moving there. It is different from the cities, but still the same kind of crime goes on. Ya better know how to take care of yourself. I have lived here my whole long life and would not live any where else. My roots run deep. But the romanticizing of these rural areas gives people a false idea of what it is really like.

[@gisela1074]

Agreed!

[@th71-23]

guess i fit the rural crazy category.we're tired of the bs labels you put on us. we just want to be left alone.

[@BelindaTN]

@@th71-23 I did not say everyone was crazy. My point is if someone wants to move to the very rural areas to get away from the craziness, crime, and meanness of the city, they will find the same in rural areas. Drugs and all that goes with that is just as rampant as it is in the cities. As well as other crimes. As I said in my first comment. I live in rural America (and love it) as has my generations before me. I know how it is. As with the cities, there are respectable and hardworking people in the rural areas. But we have our share of the criminals here too. Some of which can be dangerous.

[@whysix3417]

​@@BelindaTNI live in rural west tn. The drug problem is very much real, but the cops do a great job and don't put up with much around here.

[@christiebetts-fi7qj]

So true I moved to rural west Tenn to get away from city crime only to meet country crime.I call it “ the Wild West” It is beautiful though and there are a lot of good people too

[@entwifey]

My husband and I just moved to an acreage in pigeon forge. It’s like you said, in the hills and trees. We’re fifteen minutes from a Walmart, but are very well hidden and up high. There is not any commercial farmland around here and I’m surprised at how little homesteading there is. Most properties around me are rental cabins

[@thetotlpkg]

TN is full. Our lifestyle is eroding because of exactly what Curtis said. Locals can’t afford to live where their families have been for generations because of California expansion or manufacturing raising the cost of living or property values. Fix your states before ruining ours.

[@theIAMofME]

Thank you!! I didn't use to feel this way about outsiders moving here. But, then they came. WE ARE FED UP!!! Just my town alone is changing for the worst. YES, they are taxing us, the natives, to death. It's sad what these people are doing here. And we are sick of it!!!!!!

[@erins2473]

Amen. Same in Idaho.

[@acornlandlabs]

Good luck with that! Everyone in TN moved from somewhere at sometime. I’m sure the Native Americans tried to say “we’re full” here too. Hard to stop people moving

[@hypergraphic]

Yeah as a conservative in California there's no fixing it for me. All the people who are fed up are leaving so that just leaves a stronger democratic majority which makes the state even worse. I hear you though about how it sucks for people who have been there for a long time, but this country was built by people moving from state to state.

[@AdjourArcane]

Lol. Tn is a meth infested hell hole.

[@FeralFarmstead]

Been with you since the beginning,,Moved to Camden got 7 acres 2 years ago best decision ever !!! Thank you for your content.

[@seedvizion]

My wife and I purchased land right below you in Holladay, Tn. We’re in the process of prepping the land now and like you we’re glad to have found that land.

[@dirkjackson8939]

I bought 5 acres just east of Camden near Kentucky lake. Absolutely love the location and the fact that there is a super Walmart close by.

[@DanielIvan707]

I love Tennessee! Still a lot of country out here but prices are skyrocketing. Also not good wages. Neighbor said states are a good alternative. Thanks Curtis.

[@OneAndOnlyChi]

Northeastern Tennessee is where we're looking for our family compound. It's a beautiful area

[@RRinTN]

We have a 20 acre of grid homestead in North Western TN. Love this state

[@joegreenwell3750]

Great Videos. Also great job at Vandalia Homestead event. My wife and I went, great info, thanks. Looking forward to when you get to Kentucky, we are going to start looking around soon in Kentucky where we currently live.

[@RRinTN]

The area near Land Between the Lakes in Tennessee is a great homesteading location

[@dirkjackson8939]

I bought 5 acres near Kentucky lake just below land between the lakes a few years ago. Inexpensive, absolutely gorgeous, and near some of the best bass fishing around

[@stephaniegee227]

Native Tennessean. I agree with everyone who says that Tennessee is full in places. And everywhere in Tennessee is subject to having a lot of wind and tornadoes, if that is a consideration for you.

[@BelindaTN]

Not to mention flooding.

[@thatbroad5848]

We are currently looking in Kentucky. Desperately want OUT of the PDX area. Husband just retired. Love to see your thoughts on KY!

[@bunsguns8222]

Everywhere in the SE is better than PDX. Spent 12 years there myself across the border in WA.

[@JamieSantos]

Well, let's see. December 2021 tornado wiped out Mayfield, KY and decimated Dawson Springs, KY and the area where I currently live ( originally a Tennessee native with roots that go all the way back to the 1730's ). May 26th 2024, tornado came through Dawson Springs, Charleston, Morton's Gap, Earlington ( I live 4 miles outside of Earlington ). We left our home because we would not survive it in our home. That morning we had 80mph winds that knocked the power out. We went to Hopkinsville, KY to escape the tornado that evening. Tried to drive back home but 60mph winds were headed our way so drove to tornado shelter in Crofton Springs. It was packed. Waited out storm in the parking lot. Tried to make it home but all roads blocked with trees and water. Spent the night in a hotel with two dogs. That day cost a lot of people money they did not have and one person her life. All of this damage happened very, very near my home. People here are getting tired of the hurricane force winds and deadly tornadoes. If you have the stomach for this kind of weather ( frequently now ), chiggers, snakes and ticks then do come. Also, the soil is red clay and has to be amended heavily to grow good crops. Bug pressure is off the charts.

[@missiechako5917]

We're getting ready to list our Farmstead in Kentucky Friday! Will be sending all the information to Curtis and Matthew for a property evaluation Monday!

[@missiechako5917]

​@@JamieSantosThat's not indicative of the whole state of Kentucky! We live here & absolutely have NOT experienced any of that! Sorry that you've gone through this but it's NOT a fair description of This Beautiful State

[@tddr7666]

TN is full

[@Andy-le8xy]

TN is not full. Not that I can blame them but they absolutely do not like Californians. The first thing they say is "Don't California-ize Tennessee!" That is about as polite as they get regarding Californians.

[@tddr7666]

@@Andy-le8xy I am sick of these jerks coming here and acting like they are better. They are so stupid to pay for overpriced houses. Poor people here will lose houses due to increased property tax. When times get bad Tennesseans will stick together and take care of one another. Outsiders will have to fend for themselves. Many natives say this.

[@hiltonhillhomestead]

Im in upper East Tennessee, born and raised, and Im so thankful I was raised here in the Appalachian Mountains!! If you know these mountains, more than likely you'll be just fine when SHTF, or you'll at least last longer than most..lol

[@cassityart7001]

Have lived here in S E Tennessee since 2010. Most people living here don’t/won’t homestead. In saying that, you WILL find areas that modern homesteaders live and have lived for over a decade. PROS: Wonderful 3 growing seasons and winter greenhouse growing. Winter is called the rainy season. Little to no snow. CONS: Don’t expect people to understand why you are raising and growing your own food. Like EVERYWHERE else USA, we are 2-3 generations passed people who take care of their own needs. Like EVERYWHERE else USA government grifting and social grifting. Find a community or plan one that sees homesteading as important for family. It is key to success and building infrastructure quickly. 🌞🌱❤️

[@offgridcurtisstone]

Most people living everywhere don’t homestead.

[@colleen8002]

Thank you Curtis!!! ❤❤🎉

[@johngalt1040]

TN has tornados almost weekly, poisonous snakes are very common, chiggars and ticks are brutal (you will get Lymes disease), the humidity is painful most of the year, pollen levels are the highest in the nation. The state is on a major fault line and a massive earthquake is imminent. Its a miserable place to live. We are very backwards in our thinking and leery of outsiders. Please do not move here.

[@SolaveiGlobalTeam]

Yes! This!

[@better_than_nothing]

My family has lived in Tennessee for 300 years and I wholly agree with this statement.

[@gisela1074]

Yes truth!

[@bunsguns8222]

Lol, try harder.

[@JamieSantos]

@@better_than_nothing My great-great-great grandfather was Timothy Demonbruen so our roots go back about the same amount of time.

[@andersonsprairieviewfarm2552]

Winds in Tennessee. 😅😂😅😂 try the Prairies in the Midwest.

[@gaildudlicek890]

Try haboobs in Arizona!

[@jameszahler9575]

When you think about homesteading on 5 acres in a remote location, what do you anticipate people doing for cash? Remote work? Going without cash? Market gardening? What considerations would you give people?

[@JamieSantos]

From my personal perspective most people are not interested in eating healthy food. The people my husband works with have an aversion to farm raised eggs and prefer factory store bought eggs. Only a few people will buy our eggs. My neighbor says she has stomach issues from birth so can't eat healthy food but can eat processed food. I hear this from so many people; They have allergies to real food they say. I would never count on selling produce as a viable means of income unless you sell it to a large chain or local restaurants.

[@travisoneal3693]

A lot of people are finding out about Mountain City. A lot of business owners from Florida are buying there. A Palm Beach company just bought several thousand acres in Mountain City to put a Golf Course and high end homes.

[@bethtanner5047]

yes...Waterfront Group Development Corp....but I think they are having trouble getting water....have to drill wells...and there may be too many on the aquiver..candidate for mayor is running on a platform that includes solving Mountain City's "water" problem...hmmmm

[@erickrodriguezarechiga7934]

Can't wait for your go at Texas 🙏🏻 Currently in N.C.

[@gisela1074]

Only place in Texas is north east where the water is.

[@shevymccarthy]

Absolutely spot on about the California's and it being a in demand state!

[@loganv0410]

Small note on Mtn City: It's closer to Canada than to Memphis Warning on Selmer: about to have an incredible population boom

[@prod-srgnt]

Wow this is exactly what I was looking for. Thank you so much man subbed. How about some of the towns nears the smoky mountains/staying on that east side? I was looking at other towns like dandrige, strawberry plains, etc. Mountain city looks beautiful as well.

[@prod-srgnt]

I didnt really consider them being close to knoxville a huge problem but I definitely under in a shtf scenario. Looking now for some areas around the east side that are about 30-1 hour out from knoxville.

[@calholli]

I wish you would do one of these for Oklahoma..

[@spyxplorer]

He's working his way through all the states. Gotta wait like the rest of us

[@kevinbane3588]

I’m from Loudon , right smack between Knoxville and Chattanooga

[@MissJasmine313]

really looking forward to MI

[@cornelorcremonaprimrose4347]

Have you followed Countryside Acres (& Countryside Corner) on KZbin? Canadian farmers who moved to Russia for farming. Seams like smart ice breakers of what people should do to avoid communist Canada. Much love from PEI

[@JamieSantos]

Russia is communist as well. Good God, does anyone read??? Bolshevik uprising 1918? Slaughter of 10's of millions of orthodox Christians. The same group of people control the entire planet.

[@BobbyElliottav]

Wow, you have me in a green circle!! Don’t be telling people about my place! 😂😂😂😂

[@spyxplorer]

Just curious. What does everyone do for work that they can be so remote? It's gotta be something online, which would require a good Wifi connection.

[@backachershomestead]

Nothing,there's no phone lines or internet where we live. This guy is just winging it. No jobs either.

[@spyxplorer]

@@backachershomestead Looks like you're a homesteader. What do you do for work?

[@backachershomestead]

@spyxplorer Retired. My wife will be retired in a couple years. What do you do for work?

[@franklinwill22]

What technology he being used here to locate properties?

[@Dooderduderthedudewhatdudes]

Tornado Alley has moved into Tennessee, be aware!

[@shepherdspathrev]

medium wind is a good thing for off grid power generation.

[@addiroids]

Memphis huh? Let’s check the demographics of it. Ohhhh I see now.

[@horticultureandhomes]

It's an issue in E TN too except it's poor white and Memphis is poor black but it's still multigenerational welfare. You can ask someone what they do and get the answer of 'I draw' as in a gov. Check instead of working. When my daughter was in grade school, the teacher asked each child what they wanted to be when they grew up. One kid said a service station attendant. Another was going to draw a gov check. It's a problem.

[@Su-Jo]

Always, always check the demographics before moving to a new area.

[@FieryFaery]

What about the valley area like Chattanooga up to Athens?

[@theresaanderson9955]

What do you consider the number 1 state for homesteading looking at all things?

[@offgridcurtisstone]

It depends.

[@EdimentalGardens]

I’m looking forward to Texas!

[@spyxplorer]

I just find it funny that the guy who wrote Urban Farmer is telling us to stay away from urban areas lol. I mean, I totally agree... But im also reading that book when Im not watching these videos! :P He must have had a change of heart at some point

[@offgridcurtisstone]

Yes, I have changed my views.

[@thetotlpkg]

Why did you change?

[@spyxplorer]

@@offgridcurtisstone I get why. It's the wokeness & the govt control. Covid woke us all up. Still gonna read your book anyway. Helpful tips for Microgreens. Thx sir

[@Art38Nh]

Looking forward to New Hampshire. If you have any questions about homesteading/prepping in NH that would inform your content, lemme know

[@XoRekell]

Curtis, do you still offer consulting?

[@offgridcurtisstone]

Yes. [e-mail]

[@robclinton9249]

Need to choose by the county in TN. Which sort of nepotism is in charge.

[@livingtherufflife]

Mountain City is the sticks but you still have stores and basics when you get on the main road. Johnson City is a mess but it's the only area with a Sam's club, the Tri Cities (main airport, is limited) and the resources can't keep up with the influx of crazies moving here who think they want the same conveniences they had in the big city. You're not getting it, you move to smaller areas for a reason.

[@evvie01]

What do you know about Michigan?

[@JamieSantos]

Absolutely loved living in Michigan. I cannot sing it's praises highly enough. I only moved to be closer to my sons. Wish we had never moved.

[@evvie01]

@@JamieSantos I am from there too. I miss the rich soil, the lakes, even the snow. My quiet neighborhood Southwest of Detroit became troubled. I lost everything and had to move, the years between 2003 to 2015 were the hardest time in my life, I am healing though, coming back to life. Dreaming of one day going home. Perhaps there is a place for me there still.

[@Papagiorgio777]

Born and raise in east Tennessee, beautiful place to live.

[@horticultureandhomes]

Which county?

[@crusadesgeneral]

DO NOT come to Tennessee we are over populated and no one will be nice to you, stay out. unless you wanna come spend your money then come visit haha

[@theIAMofME]

When we moved here, and I'm certainly not saying where, the town had a pop of 600. We are pushing 12K now. It's so sad what is happening to TN. Just sad. And these people want sidewalks and for it to be like a suburb of a city. WE ARE SICK OF IT. Not to mention what they have done to older folks who worked so hard to be debt free and own there property and now risk losing it in their "so called golden years" because of these liberals moving here making taxes GO THROUGH THE ROOF!. Our neighbors from Nevada are loud and noisy. They always have a bunch of people over there. We are working on a plan to move from here now. I don't know if we have time now. It's getting to the point where we are going to lose our warm hospitality because of all this. I will not end mine with a haha. IT'S NOT FUNNY!!!

[@DanielIvan707]

The corrupt politicians are selling out the local population to the highest bidder. Sad to see. What are they trying to turn Nashville into?

[@Andy-le8xy]

@@theIAMofME At least your problem neighbors are from not from Communist-fornia. Nevada about the same. Wishing you the best and good health.

[@ToddMagnussonWasHere]

Moved to the top eastern tip in ‘21 from the Twin Cities after the GF riots. No regrets. It is quite crazy though seeing housing prices out in Washington/Carver/Sullivan being astronomically high. I can’t imagine it persisting for very much longer, I guess you can blame it on all of us moving in to some degree, but don’t discount the insane drop in the value of the dollar with the multi-trillion spending during the last 3 years.

[@horticultureandhomes]

Here's the thing about East TN. It has gotten expensive, there's not enough infrastructure to handle the influx of people and the school systems leave a lot to be desired. There is a lot of multigenerational welfare in rural E. TN. It's a problem and the influx of people has made it worse. The price increases have decimated the low and middle class. The food pantry's can't keep up. Drugs are also prevalent. You can thank the FL pain clinic shysters for that. It travelled up and through E TN and meth labs are all too common. It has brought crime to the area. Mostly theft. Nail down tractors and equipment, porch furniture and even garden ornaments.

[@marycaroldownton8590]

One of my good friends is from Memphis. She would give you the shirt off her back. and is an excellence educator. So she can help people.

[@davecalico3273]

ShatANoooGaa ?

[@gisela1074]

Tennessee is not for the faint of heart, seriously.

[@hypergraphic]

Dude I lived in South Africa for eight years. How much worse can Tennessee possibly be?

[@timohoffmann1888]

All big cities will experience judgments very soon. Nashville will be one of them. Read the book The Great Controversy

[@JamieSantos]

Nashville was always a cess pit due to the Country Music industry.....just not openly back in the day. It's run by the same tribe that runs the Illegal Federal Reserve. Now they have completely destroyed Nashville by moving here from Hollywood.

[@nueoracle6539]

Lets do FLORIDA and TEXAS

[@keepitsimple7376]

Lol Shat-annooga

[@ad-xp3ik]

I think you should make a distinction between prepping and homesteading. Rough proximity to a city might actually be good for homesteading as it may give you more opportunities to sell produce from your market garden, higher prices for selling firewood, more people looking to buy "pasture raised" pork for a higher price. Writing off whole parts of this state because you're scared of a "SHTF" (which seems to be just code for r*ce war...) scenario where people on welfare will be your biggest threat? Sounds like a concern for someone building a bunker, less for someone making a viable homestead

[@Andy-le8xy]

Thank you Curtis.

[@concreteart101]

Don't move to TN....we are full

[@RabbitHole-xyz]

Tennessee is FULL. Try Texas.

[@Steakandeggsguy]

😂😂

[@northupupgrages09]

EAST TENNESSEE USA ⚠️🇺🇸❤️ We love it here!

[@better_than_nothing]

Tennessee is full. Go somewhere else.

[@AdjourArcane]

5 mins in and you just keep repeating "stay away from highways"

[@JaredTG.]

Lived in northeast Tennessee my whole life. Even in a small place there's been too many people moving here. I understand why but I'd still rather it stop. Move to west Tennessee I'm not going over there. Or north Carolina, it's nice there.

[@horticultureandhomes]

I agree. The infrastucture can't handle the load of people coming so fast. It's driving prices up and putting more people on welfare.

[@vldarden]

My favorite pastor is in middle Tennessee. I would love to be close enough to attend his church.

[@seedvizion]

Jim Brown

[@vldarden]

@@seedvizion Allen Jackson

[@jasonhubbs3019]

Please stop encouraging people to move to my state! My family has been here since the 1700s.And all the outsiers moving in is driving up our cost of living. Traffic is getting worse and farmland is vanishing fast.Fix your state and state and stop ruining mine.

[@offgridcurtisstone]

I'm reviewing all states. People go where they chose.

[@backachershomestead]

Tennessee will not be a great state if everyone moves here and brings there crappy attitudes and want to change the way we live. And make it what they have left. Stay away.

[@offgridcurtisstone]

I think it might already be close to that brother. Probably too late.

[@bunsguns8222]

Just left TN, was there working. The locals already seem to have crappy attitudes and there seems to be a lot of union types that tow the party line. I expected better.

[@Catulli00]

As a Tennessean, I can't help but wonder why a Canadian dude is telling people where to live in the US. Tennessee is full. Go to Asheville.

[@AdjourArcane]

You seem fun

[@missiechako5917]

Because he's an absolute expert on this and is trying to help people from making a TON of costly mistakes! Seriously