Laura and Ed Huggins pull on snowshoes outside their home in Baker
City, Ore. Their children—Lukas, 10, Matea, 8, and Gracie, 6—lace their
boots into their own shoes. Throwing backpacks heavy with sandwiches and
drinks over their shoulders, they set out. In 10 minutes they cross onto
high trails in the Elk Horn Mountains. With picture-perfect views of
mountains, valleys and streams, it's not rare for deer, goats and elk to
cross into their sight.
This is family time for the Hugginses. "We don't have to drive
anywhere," says Laura. As the seasons change, the family switches
snowshoes for hiking boots. "Our views are incredible," says Ed.
The Hugginses can't imagine a better life. Ed works for a cattle-feeding
company, and Laura manages a credit agency. They have found their
place—and a uniquely American lifestyle—in the country.
The scenery and lifestyle are obvious reasons for their
move, but they found other reasons to make the move to Baker City.
Schools. Travel to and from a good school system is only 4.5 miles into
Baker City with its 9,700 souls.
Value. The state of Oregon limits homes on rural properties to one for
every 160 acres. The Hugginses' home is an aberration. They own 5 acres
surrounded by 1,000 acres of ranchland. You can buy a three-bedroom home
in Baker City for $80,000. A 5-acre parcel with no home or water rights
can bring $75,000—if you can find it. The Hugginses value their 5 acres
and home at about $500,000.
Investment. There is value in property that offers a high quality of
life. That's obviously true with, say, beach property. But it's also
true in rural areas with amenities. Because people can work remotely,
there is good demand for acreage. Ed Huggins would not shy away from
buying more rural properties. He views desirable rural property as a
solid alternative to stock market investments. "It would be a safe
investment," he says.
STEP 1: GETTING STARTED >>
