There's a lot to be said just about all the things you ALL said about Crawdad Creek. Sounded more like it felt more like home to all of you. Don't ignore that. But I do see the challenge with choosing logistically between the two.
The first property problem I see is that a lot of your land in going down the mountain. So you would have to pump up hill. But, it is beautiful. Second property it is also beautiful but it is going to be too close to the road. You are looking now how bad does it get in winter or raining a lot. How much creek would you have. So I pick number 1. Number 2 would be really expensive to create
Crawdad creek looks like it has more resources and more potential. More sustainable. Opportunities for aquaculture and silvopasture. Sunny mountain looks like you’ll need to bring inputs in but crawdad creek has the raw materials. Logs for mushrooms and material for biochar. Going to be labor intensive but it’s better. Goats, pigs and turkeys.
I understand the mountain top pro's, but the con's…..Water. That is /should be your 1st priority No water, No life. I bet the soil for growing will be better. at the creek property. Sure there is alot of work clearing the land and all, but bringing and depending on the water on top of a mountain? Rocky soil on top and no green grasses for the critters? Drilling, pumping or only depending on water catchment-what about drier seasons? Or even worse ….droughts? Creek property is my vote.
I would explore sunny mountain more, for water source, you might be surprised, there may be a seasonal spring/springs just below that peak. We live at the " bottom" of a mountain like area… our home was built in 1880. The builders somehow gathered water through tiers, carved rock/cisterns, swales, various sized pipes, to create a refecting "pools" even fountains! With the grade of the mountain we can even run a sprinkler…all GRAVITY FED! We do have another line that goes UP the hill too if needed.
Its NOT as complicated as it sounds.
My point is the mountain ITSELF CAN be a plus. You would never know there WAS water here unless its spring/rainy season. There might BE water there!
Land/soil, I have been admiring people using thier animals even in the woods, to clear the land/ improve soils by rotational grazing. Amazing how each helps the other.
That view, property with a *view adds tremendous $$value…future investment.
You can NOT build a view.
If using ground solar, I would try to keep it " hidden" from view. I prefer rooftops.. out of dight, takes up less land too.
Mountain might be excellent for GEOTHERMAL TOO! Think HEATED floors, and pools! lol
I think Sunny Mountain would be better for the humans, but it'll be harder for the livestock. Would need power to pump water up to where the livestock would be, plus need windbreaks for the topsoil and animals. Also need water to build the topsoil and that will take years. Lack of shade won't necessarily be an issue where it's bare because if you build the solar panels tall enough, that would provide the shade underneath. It's a predictable undertaking.
Crawdad Creek has the air of unpredictability with the creeks, so controlling the creeks is the thing. There will be more of a bug/parasite load on the animals until things are cleared out, but feed, water, and shelter/windbreaks are taken care of. The money saved on the livestock feeding and watering could be diverted to the bridges and controlling the creek.
Great video! Thanks for sharing your journey. My wife and I hope to start a homestead in the next two of years, once I finish my Army obligation. I'm wondering how you guys found the properties? What are some good websites? Did y'all us the traditional ones (ie Realtor, Zillow) or something different? Thanks
I would have to go with Sunny Mountain, simply for my mental well-being. I can’t do wet and damp with children/animals but I also don’t homestead so I fully realize that my opinion doesn’t go for much.😂 Maybe if I were heavy into gardening or even market gardening where fertility was a huge factor—Crawdad Creek. But the views, the openness, the air… I’d have to go with Sunny Mountain. I think the livestock would be fine but I’d love to see drone footage to see more of what you’re working with. Plus I could see myself getting old there, sitting on my porch, coffee in hand and that gorgeous view (maybe some grandchildren playing in the distance!)
I love Sunny Mountain the view is to die for, BUT the water problem needing to build up the soil and the remoteness makes it a no for me nice place to visit . Crawdad Creek I love for different reasons. I can see the potential I can see it as silvopaster. lots of sun in the winter with no leaves and the shade in the summer, I would build the Bridge and have the homestead the other side of the creek. When I was younger the location of Sunny Mountain would have won out but as you get older being near infrastructure gets to be more of a game changer so the road is a plus. Your children are growing up so being a bit nearer to the road is going to be a plus to them when they start to socialize as well.
Creek property hands down. We have been trying to dig a well. We should hit water but it’s been way more difficult than what we’ve seen on YouTube. It only takes one dry year to realize that you do need east water access.
Think about the horribly hot summer we had…how rain is in short supply right now. I don't know how many acres you are looking at but if the hill top is a minimal amount of acerage there goes your fuel source for heat. No matter where you end up, water is imperative and you would be struggling with that on the hill top property. Although hill top was very pretty, the main thing is water and fuel and fertile land. Those should be high up on the decision list. Good luck guys.
I would choose Crawdad Creek as well. Woods can be used for so much. Lumber to build with and a heat source. The creek makes the property worth so much more than the other property. Use the trees you clear to create the bridge(s). I see way more potential in the creek property.
Test soil and water for both. Safety is most important. As for which property: check the average rainfall if you rely on rain only. The sunny mountain could have bad winds to to elevation and lack of wind break. Lack of ready soil will limit food/grazing will be a BIG struggle for the first few years. Goats will be good for prickly weeds. The crawdad creek ticks can be managed with chickens and similar birds. Check creek for beavers, they will make creek toxic for use. Also check for spring thaw to see just how far the creek rises so you don’t build in flood plain. Creek will be an easier start and with kids that could be a significant factor. As for road, you could just build one stone fence along road to give privacy and block sound. My pick would be creek as long as the creek is beaver free.
I love Sunny Mountain. Crawdad Creek was dark. It also seemed smaller. I worry about flooding, unless it's not too far down in the valley. Water levels are rising and that's scary for me. The mountain has a great place for lots of solar. It still has trees. It has a way to have water. You could have a windmill. You didn't say if a well is possible there. It looks like the mountain would be quicker to move animals in. I guess I'd like some more answers for a final decision, but Sunny Mountain is my pick with what info that I have now. Oh, how I'd love to see you do lots of solar and a windmill!
I will never live in a valley by a creek again . In Michigan , we lived by a mostly dried up creek , then torrential rains hit the area , dams upstream broke and flooded the area and our house . They called it “100 yr flood “ but after we moved away , we see it has happened at least 2 times more over the last few decades. Give me the mountain top and the sunshine !
Without a doubt I'd choose Crawdad Creek. Water is absolutely essential! You can always build some sort of bridge to cross the water so you can build further from the road. You can clear land for rich, lush pastures. That property has so much beautiful potential and an idyllic setting for both people and animals. The peaceful feeling abounds there.
Can't wait to see what you decide. I'm on Kendra's team but they're both great
The creek. For myself and my family, my kids I would without question pick the creek property.
Crawdad creek with the bridge
There's a lot to be said just about all the things you ALL said about Crawdad Creek. Sounded more like it felt more like home to all of you. Don't ignore that. But I do see the challenge with choosing logistically between the two.
Creek property!!!
The first property problem I see is that a lot of your land in going down the mountain. So you would have to pump up hill. But, it is beautiful. Second property it is also beautiful but it is going to be too close to the road. You are looking now how bad does it get in winter or raining a lot. How much creek would you have. So I pick number 1. Number 2 would be really expensive to create
The one with the creek!
You could build the house off the ground in the second property
Crawdad creek looks like it has more resources and more potential. More sustainable. Opportunities for aquaculture and silvopasture. Sunny mountain looks like you’ll need to bring inputs in but crawdad creek has the raw materials. Logs for mushrooms and material for biochar. Going to be labor intensive but it’s better. Goats, pigs and turkeys.
Sunny Mountain has my vote…my Homestead is only 28 acres, but there’s something to be said for land already cleared.
creek
I understand the mountain top pro's, but the con's…..Water. That is /should be your 1st priority No water, No life. I bet the soil for growing will be better. at the creek property. Sure there is alot of work clearing the land and all, but bringing and depending on the water on top of a mountain? Rocky soil on top and no green grasses for the critters? Drilling, pumping or only depending on water catchment-what about drier seasons? Or even worse ….droughts? Creek property is my vote.
I would explore sunny mountain more, for water source, you might be surprised, there may be a seasonal spring/springs just below that peak. We live at the " bottom" of a mountain like area… our home was built in 1880. The builders somehow gathered water through tiers, carved rock/cisterns, swales, various sized pipes, to create a refecting "pools" even fountains! With the grade of the mountain we can even run a sprinkler…all GRAVITY FED! We do have another line that goes UP the hill too if needed.
Its NOT as complicated as it sounds.
My point is the mountain ITSELF CAN be a plus. You would never know there WAS water here unless its spring/rainy season. There might BE water there!
Land/soil, I have been admiring people using thier animals even in the woods, to clear the land/ improve soils by rotational grazing. Amazing how each helps the other.
That view, property with a *view adds tremendous $$value…future investment.
You can NOT build a view.
If using ground solar, I would try to keep it " hidden" from view. I prefer rooftops.. out of dight, takes up less land too.
Mountain might be excellent for GEOTHERMAL TOO! Think HEATED floors, and pools! lol
I think Sunny Mountain would be better for the humans, but it'll be harder for the livestock. Would need power to pump water up to where the livestock would be, plus need windbreaks for the topsoil and animals. Also need water to build the topsoil and that will take years. Lack of shade won't necessarily be an issue where it's bare because if you build the solar panels tall enough, that would provide the shade underneath. It's a predictable undertaking.
Crawdad Creek has the air of unpredictability with the creeks, so controlling the creeks is the thing. There will be more of a bug/parasite load on the animals until things are cleared out, but feed, water, and shelter/windbreaks are taken care of. The money saved on the livestock feeding and watering could be diverted to the bridges and controlling the creek.
Great video! Thanks for sharing your journey. My wife and I hope to start a homestead in the next two of years, once I finish my Army obligation. I'm wondering how you guys found the properties? What are some good websites? Did y'all us the traditional ones (ie Realtor, Zillow) or something different? Thanks
I would have to go with Sunny Mountain, simply for my mental well-being. I can’t do wet and damp with children/animals but I also don’t homestead so I fully realize that my opinion doesn’t go for much.😂 Maybe if I were heavy into gardening or even market gardening where fertility was a huge factor—Crawdad Creek. But the views, the openness, the air… I’d have to go with Sunny Mountain. I think the livestock would be fine but I’d love to see drone footage to see more of what you’re working with.
Plus I could see myself getting old there, sitting on my porch, coffee in hand and that gorgeous view (maybe some grandchildren playing in the distance!)
If I wasn't already moving to my dream homestead, I'd buy crawdad creek
I love Sunny Mountain the view is to die for, BUT the water problem needing to build up the soil and the remoteness makes it a no for me nice place to visit . Crawdad Creek I love for different reasons. I can see the potential I can see it as silvopaster. lots of sun in the winter with no leaves and the shade in the summer, I would build the Bridge and have the homestead the other side of the creek. When I was younger the location of Sunny Mountain would have won out but as you get older being near infrastructure gets to be more of a game changer so the road is a plus. Your children are growing up so being a bit nearer to the road is going to be a plus to them when they start to socialize as well.
Creek property hands down. We have been trying to dig a well. We should hit water but it’s been way more difficult than what we’ve seen on YouTube. It only takes one dry year to realize that you do need east water access.
I think water is so so important AND #2
has soil, so much richness of environment. I vote #2 plant trees for house privacy or build her a bridge.
Think about the horribly hot summer we had…how rain is in short supply right now. I don't know how many acres you are looking at but if the hill top is a minimal amount of acerage there goes your fuel source for heat. No matter where you end up, water is imperative and you would be struggling with that on the hill top property. Although hill top was very pretty, the main thing is water and fuel and fertile land. Those should be high up on the decision list. Good luck guys.
Creek property has more potential. Congrats on your new journey.
crawdad creek 100%! you want the water on the property! Plus the land is so lush!
I like Cradad Creek!
I like trees on the property!
Crawdad crawdad crawdad creek 👍👍👍
creek property . building sol takes a lot of yeas. but sunny farm is better if ou can get good water . seems to have more acres too
You can cut trees to let the sunlight in.
#2
Crawdad creek is my dream property.
I would choose Crawdad Creek as well. Woods can be used for so much. Lumber to build with and a heat source. The creek makes the property worth so much more than the other property. Use the trees you clear to create the bridge(s). I see way more potential in the creek property.
Creek property 100% – better water and topsoil. Solve two of the biggest problems most farmers face…
sunny mountain for my vote
Test soil and water for both. Safety is most important. As for which property: check the average rainfall if you rely on rain only.
The sunny mountain could have bad winds to to elevation and lack of wind break. Lack of ready soil will limit food/grazing will be a BIG struggle for the first few years. Goats will be good for prickly weeds.
The crawdad creek ticks can be managed with chickens and similar birds. Check creek for beavers, they will make creek toxic for use. Also check for spring thaw to see just how far the creek rises so you don’t build in flood plain. Creek will be an easier start and with kids that could be a significant factor. As for road, you could just build one stone fence along road to give privacy and block sound.
My pick would be creek as long as the creek is beaver free.
I vote Sunny Mountain, just because you can get started quicker. Crawdad Creek is gonna need so much work!!
Water is more important than sun.
Always pick the creek. The trees and flowing water are there already. Think about how long it takes to grow a tree.
Crawdad Creek!
Crawdad Creek. You will need the water!
bild Bridge
I love Sunny Mountain. Crawdad Creek was dark. It also seemed smaller. I worry about flooding, unless it's not too far down in the valley. Water levels are rising and that's scary for me. The mountain has a great place for lots of solar. It still has trees. It has a way to have water. You could have a windmill. You didn't say if a well is possible there. It looks like the mountain would be quicker to move animals in. I guess I'd like some more answers for a final decision, but Sunny Mountain is my pick with what info that I have now. Oh, how I'd love to see you do lots of solar and a windmill!
The mountain to for me, sunny mountain the creek is beautiful but the work is unending like your dad said how many acres in the valley
I was literally typing to ask about a bridge when she said it!!
Definitely Crawdad Creek. You could sell the timber off the land you clear to fund the pond build.
I will never live in a valley by a creek again . In Michigan , we lived by a mostly dried up creek , then torrential rains hit the area , dams upstream broke and flooded the area and our house . They called it “100 yr flood “ but after we moved away , we see it has happened at least 2 times more over the last few decades.
Give me the mountain top and the sunshine !
Without a doubt I'd choose Crawdad Creek. Water is absolutely essential! You can always build some sort of bridge to cross the water so you can build further from the road. You can clear land for rich, lush pastures. That property has so much beautiful potential and an idyllic setting for both people and animals. The peaceful feeling abounds there.