Re: Re: Re: Politics and country life...

Posted by Hal (WA) on October 03, 2008 at 19:01:18 from (208.81.157.90):

In Reply to: Re: Re: Politics and country life... posted by Diane on October 03, 2008 at 11:16:36:

Unfortunately housing costs around Pullman are really quite high, probably because of the University being there. But there are other areas of the Palouse where the small towns are dwindling, and smaller farms are being absorbed by the big farms. My guess is that at least in some cases, those smaller farms have usable houses and buildings that are more or less surplus to the large farmers. Some of my friends are farmers that have bought out other farms through the years. The unneeded farmsteads have sometimes been rented out, although some of the farmers have decided that it is too much trouble and have destroyed the building sites to make a little more farm land.

I live in Spokane County, which is very restrictive. I have heard that Whitman County is much less so. In my area, it is almost impossible to get a conventional gravity powered septic system approved. Rather, they require what they call pressure mounds, which cost much, much more, and which also require the effluent to be pumped to the mound, which requires electricity for it to work at all. The pressure mounds also have a limited useful life--I know of several that have failed after less than 20 years. Sure glad I already have a good working conventional system.

Something else to consider about living somewhere in the country on the Palouse: It snows here, and sometimes it snows a lot. Since the Palouse is so open and hilly, there are lots of places where HUGE snowdrifts develop. If you live off one of the main roads, it is VERY POSSIBLE that you could be snowed in for an extended amount of time. Not so good if you have medical problems that might mean that you need to go to a hospital in quick order. Last Winter was extremely snowy and there were lots of areas near here that were snowed in for a couple of weeks. Just something to consider. Not even a big 4x4 pickup with all 4 chained up was going to get in or out for awhile in some places. It is just part of living here, but it can be a real PITA.

I also think that there will be some foreclosed upon houses available for sale soon. They are kind of scary, because sometimes people don't take very good care of places when they are going to lose them. And also, some of them have lots more loaned against them than they are worth. I would sure consult with a good real estate attorney before I ever got involved with a foreclosure very far. But there might eventually be some real buys in that category.

I am kind of disgusted with the Governor's race. I hate the negative advertising that both sides are using and will be very glad when the election is over. I met Christine Gregoire when she was attorney general and I thought she did an excellent job as AG. But the fiasco that ended up in her election as Governor left a real bad taste in a lot of peoples mouths. It sure looked like there was rampant corruption, especially in how the votes were counted in King County. I will vote for Rossi (again) mostly because I would prefer that there be a non-Democrat governor considering that both the Senate and State House are controlled by the Democrats. Checks and balances...But I kind of doubt that Rossi will prevail.

Nice visiting with you! Hope you can find the right place for you folks to retire to. Good luck!

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