If you want to move to the country and live a self-sufficient lifestyle, you should ask all the usual questions you would when buying a house. Homesteading also introduces other considerations, such as:


? How rich is the soil, and how long is the growing season?

? Does the property provide adequate pasture and water for livestock? Will you need to build a barn?

? Will you be able to harvest firewood from your land?

? Is there a nearby farmers market? Do the roads near the house get enough traffic to sell products from home?

Defining your priorities before buying land is crucial to homesteading success. And even if you have a clear idea of what you want and where you plan to settle, take your time before committing to a specific piece of land.

'You may live in a community three or four years before you know enough about the town, the land and your own habits to be sure which location is best,' says Bryan Welch, publisher of Mother Earth News. Welch lives on a 50-acre farm outside of Lawrence, Kan., with his wife, Carolyn. When looking for land, they knew they needed a large pasture because they were interested in grass-fed livestock, but everyone's needs are different. 'Obviously, homesteaders should pick a place they like. But they also need to make sure that their planned crops and animals will be compatible with the local environment,' he says.

When deciding how much land you need, keep an open mind, says George DeVault, a farmer in Emmaus, Pa. 'Forget about absolutely having to have a certain number of acres,' DeVault says. 'There was once a book called