Debated this thread for sometime, even to exactly which section to place it in.
Lately, I have started seriously considering moving from Nebraska to another state because of my tortoises. For me it would be a huge step, as I come from a family line who seldom moved, much less moved more then a couple of hours from our roots.
Currently where I live, is a very little village of less then 100 folks. I love being able to step outside my front door and see a brilliant display of twinkling stars in the sky. It's one of those small close knit areas where folks usually never lock doors (I am the rare oddball who does), folks watch out for each other, even the cats can sleep in the middle of main street and instead of running them over, folks slowdown and go around them.
I am lucky to have two very old large houses that sit on very large lots. Both homes are very old and have been sadly neglected in their lives and are both needing major love and fixing up. Down part is in this area, you would never get back any of the money you invest in a house. Houses are really really cheap (which is why I could buy them ).
Realistically we are looking at having to invest about as much money into the homes, as we would use to buy property in another area. Also as with everybody, we are constantly revamping, remodeling, and making plans for new tort pens and housing (did I mention the dream greenhouse?? ) It always surprises me how much money we actually end up investing into what I think of a fairly cheap enclosures.
My future plans call for spending my years continuing to try to understand and care for my shelled ones. Having my groups of breeding animals and having several generations of homegrowns gracing the enclosures.
That is where thoughts of moving come in. I live in a wonderful area, but it also doesn't have the longest season for torts to be happily outside. Better then many, but still could add precious more time for them elsewhere. Add to it would be a longer growing time for their food supply, plus a larger variety.
The upside is we are already here, own the land/houses, have roots here and already have the enclosures here for the animals. Moving would be a major headache, just thinking about the logistics of moving all the animals, plants and their equipment is a true reality checking moment. Then there is that other unimportant stuff, like our furniture and belongings. Not sure I would even want to attempt to move our horses or poultry for their own safety and well being.
Yet how wonderful would it be to get to start all over with planning out where the enclosures would go. To start fresh. To be able to expand possible breeding thoughts or plant growing lists. To see and experience an entirely different climate and area.
So this rambling long post (are you sleeping yet??) is to ask you, do you ever think about moving because of your torts? Would you, yourself, in your own life and situation, do so? Have you done so already? Or is it just a dream in the back of your mind? Or perhaps you already live in your own little tortoise heaven?
Lately, I have started seriously considering moving from Nebraska to another state because of my tortoises. For me it would be a huge step, as I come from a family line who seldom moved, much less moved more then a couple of hours from our roots.
Currently where I live, is a very little village of less then 100 folks. I love being able to step outside my front door and see a brilliant display of twinkling stars in the sky. It's one of those small close knit areas where folks usually never lock doors (I am the rare oddball who does), folks watch out for each other, even the cats can sleep in the middle of main street and instead of running them over, folks slowdown and go around them.
I am lucky to have two very old large houses that sit on very large lots. Both homes are very old and have been sadly neglected in their lives and are both needing major love and fixing up. Down part is in this area, you would never get back any of the money you invest in a house. Houses are really really cheap (which is why I could buy them ).
Realistically we are looking at having to invest about as much money into the homes, as we would use to buy property in another area. Also as with everybody, we are constantly revamping, remodeling, and making plans for new tort pens and housing (did I mention the dream greenhouse?? ) It always surprises me how much money we actually end up investing into what I think of a fairly cheap enclosures.
My future plans call for spending my years continuing to try to understand and care for my shelled ones. Having my groups of breeding animals and having several generations of homegrowns gracing the enclosures.
That is where thoughts of moving come in. I live in a wonderful area, but it also doesn't have the longest season for torts to be happily outside. Better then many, but still could add precious more time for them elsewhere. Add to it would be a longer growing time for their food supply, plus a larger variety.
The upside is we are already here, own the land/houses, have roots here and already have the enclosures here for the animals. Moving would be a major headache, just thinking about the logistics of moving all the animals, plants and their equipment is a true reality checking moment. Then there is that other unimportant stuff, like our furniture and belongings. Not sure I would even want to attempt to move our horses or poultry for their own safety and well being.
Yet how wonderful would it be to get to start all over with planning out where the enclosures would go. To start fresh. To be able to expand possible breeding thoughts or plant growing lists. To see and experience an entirely different climate and area.
So this rambling long post (are you sleeping yet??) is to ask you, do you ever think about moving because of your torts? Would you, yourself, in your own life and situation, do so? Have you done so already? Or is it just a dream in the back of your mind? Or perhaps you already live in your own little tortoise heaven?