You’re deep in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula, and you’re sipping hot coffee on a frosty morning. The smoke is coming out of the chimney, and you’re breathing in the scents of pinewood. Sounds nice, right?
Now, consider an alternative. During golden hour, you’re watching light spill over California’s Sierra foothills, and you’re listening to your solar panels quietly hum in the background while warmth is embracing your chin and a frosty beer is within your hand’s reach. Heaven.
Both of these images represent the homesteading dream, where you live more in touch with the land, on your own terms – just from different perspectives. The basics are the same, though (e.g., climate, construction, land, how you live, what to grow, water, etc.), but they differ greatly depending on where you choose to live.
To paint a clearer picture, we’ll compare the states of Michigan and California as our locations of choice. Why? Well, they have wildly different backdrops, each has its own challenges, but both also come with plenty of rewards.
Let’s dive into nature!
Climate and Lifestyle
Let’s kick things off with Michigan. If the Great Lakes State is where you plan to homestead, you should brace for long, snowy winters that (will likely) look like they’re straight out of a Christmas fairytale. The summers here are short, but vibrant. Life moves with the seasons, and you’ll learn to rely on firewood to keep your home warm. Stocking up on food and keeping a generator somewhere for power outages will be a must.
The landscape is rugged but stunning, with lakes that are perfect for fishing and woods with many deer and even the occasional bear or wolf. It’s remote living, so you won’t have a lot of neighbors, but maybe that’s exactly what you want. However, all your neighbors will know your name, and there are small towns everywhere full of seasonal visitors looking for a break from the city.
California is a different animal altogether. Summers are hot and dry, and winters are cool and damp. Wildfires are a constant threat here, and the law requires that you create defensible space around your home. On the plus side, there’s plenty of sun, and with irrigation, you can garden almost all year long.
Planning for earthquakes will become a part of your everyday life, and although land is more expensive in California, cities and communities are closer. You’ll probably find more like-minded homesteaders nearby, plus you’ll have more neighbors than you would in Michigan. The terrain and climate are demanding, to say the least, but the growing season and potential for solar power are hard to beat.
What You’ll Need
This will take more than a piece of land and a dream to work with. Here’s everything you’ll need to live comfortably.
- Food Systems
Of course, you’ll grow your own food in either location, but how you approach it changes depending on the climate. The growing season is really short in Michigan, so you’ll need to get creative. Greenhouses are your best bet, with root cellars to store crops for the cold months ahead.
In the Golden State, because of its favorable climate, you’ll be able to grow almost the entire year. Water, however, can be limited, meaning you’ll need an irrigation system (meaning extra costs and maintenance), plus you’ll also need shade structures to protect your crops from the heat.
- Energy and Heat
In Michigan, wood heat is the go-to. Keep a good stash of firewood ready for winter, with propane and kerosene as backup. Solar panels are an option, but days are short in winter, so they won’t be too effective without a solid battery setup.
In California, however, the sun is a huge asset. A lot of homesteaders power their homes completely with solar energy. Air conditioning is a must here, and so are battery banks.
For barns and workshops, you’ll need something tough and long-lasting regardless of location. Metal trusses for pole barns are a good choice for both because they can take Michigan’s snow loads, as well as California’s quake zones.
- Access to Water
Water is usually easy to come by in Michigan. Wells are reliable, and there’s plenty of rain; frozen pipes can be an issue in the winter, though. A lot of homesteaders use rain catchment systems during warmer months, but they have to be carefully winterized.
The situation with water is more complicated in California because drilling a well is expensive, and in some places, it’s also heavily regulated, creating further headaches. Another always-present concern is drought, meaning that you’ll constantly have to collect/store water, use greywater systems, and choose drought-resistant crops.
- Transportation and Isolation
Winter storms can bury the roads in Michigan, and that can last for days. Snowmobiles and 4WD trucks are often the only way in (or out). This kind of isolation means you’ll have to stock up and be prepared to go without trips to the town for a while.
California has its own issues. Dirt roads can flood or wash out during storms. But access is usually more consistent, especially since many areas are closer to cities.
Conclusion
So – Michigan, California, or perhaps some other location as your homesteading haven.
Regardless of your choice, you’ll be shifted closer to nature, surrounded by its distinctive, pristine beauty. The only difference will be the actual experience you’ll be getting, depending on where you decide to stay – that’s for certain.
Keep in mind, though, the land will teach you a lot.
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