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A lot can change in six years time. More regulations, higher fees and other governmental costs. Those could conceivably change radically and ruin the present day dream in the future. So todays nirvana could become a hell on earth.
Very few areas, if any, are not subject to risk from nature----tornadoes, earthquakes, forest fires, floods, etc, etc. I think you will find the Ozarks built up a lot more than you anticipate even now and land prices not as cheap as you would hope. Tennessee, especially eastern part has lots of big, deep lakes and land is relatively cheaper. think about tax situation too---not all states have income taxes for instance---some have fairly low property taxes but higher sales taxes---some vice versa. Some counties impose steep "impact fees" for new construction---as much as 10,000 in many parts of Florida and even higher in lot of California counties. You can google state taxes and cost of living comparisons and find whole websites that will help you compare all kinds of factors including crime rates, taxes, income levels, school systems, etc. Land costs and permit fees are but two of many variables you will want to explore.
Sounds like you are asking yourself the right questions. However it sounds you most likely need to create a list with priorities you fell that are important.Is finding a place that is:"I don't want crazy amounts of snow or temps below 30 would be too cold, heat doesn't bother me much".Is that more important than? "I am looking for 5-20 acres, maybe more if its cheap enough $2000/acre or less" Then you say: "Water source would be nice, but not necessary." But then you further state you wish to: "farm, raise animals for food, bees, water catchment, ponds, fish."If you wish to raise animals and farm, cheap water is very important. That would be number one. Pumping water from underground in appraisable amounts to farm with is very costly. Water is the main thing standing between between cheap waste ground and 'Shangri-La'.You say you want to "work for myself (aka sell goods from my farm)" There again you will need a source of good cheap water if there is not enough rain. That involves water rights. You can have creeks, ditches and canals running through your property and you can not take from them. Here in Idaho you can even have springs on your property that you can not use with out filing on them for livestock use or domestic. Not having water means hauling potable water many miles over many times rough dusty roads. Then do you want to put up with rough dusty roads? Rough dusty roads in the summer times some times means impassable muddy roads in the winter. Especially if they never freeze up enough to drive over. 'One of the benefits of cold weather.'I would say you have a vision and a desire. For it to be brought to birth will require a lot of planing. From what do want to raise and equipment needed, to what kind of dwelling are you willing to live in. Is there a market in the area for what you want to bring to sell? Be it raspberries or hand crafted wooden chairs. Be it hand made quilts to hand crafted cheeses you can have produce and product. However if no one has the need nor desire to buy then reward is greatly diminished. Not killed because then you might start looking to other outlets.