Housing Globe: discover the places shaping the housing landscape

Looking for affordable rural living in Missouri? Explore 12 small towns with low living costs, rural acreage, and distinctive local history. This guide looks beyond the commuter belts of Kansas City and St. Louis, from the Ozark rivers to the loess hills of northwest Missouri.

Discover Walt Disney’s boyhood hometown, a pioneering wind-powered community, and tiny villages with just a few dozen residents. Each stop covers the appeal of living there alongside practical trade-offs, including hospital access, jobs, internet availability, and flood risk.

The 12 rural Missouri towns

12. Hermann, Gasconade County: About 2,200 residents. Founded by a German settlement society drawn to hills reminiscent of the Rhine Valley, Hermann sits at the heart of Missouri wine country.

11. Marceline, Linn County: About 2,100 residents. Walt Disney’s boyhood home helped inspire Main Street, U.S.A. at Disneyland.

10. Rock Port, Atchison County: About 1,300 residents. In 2008, it became the first U.S. community powered entirely by wind.

9. Van Buren, Carter County: About 800 residents. Near the Current River, Big Spring releases around 280 million gallons of water daily and ranks among North America’s largest single-outlet springs.

8. Grant City, Worth County: About 800 residents. This small county seat serves Missouri’s least populous county.

7. Eminence, Shannon County: About 600 residents. Known for Ozark scenery and free-roaming wild horses protected by an act of Congress.

6. Clarksville, Pike County: About 440 residents. This Mississippi River town offers standout winter bald eagle viewing, with flood risk an important consideration for buyers.

5. Alexandria, Clark County: About 150 residents. Nearly erased by the 1993 flood, the community rebuilt on higher ground.

4. Altenburg, Perry County: About 350 residents. Founded by Saxon Lutherans in 1839, it is home to the log cabin school that became Concordia Seminary.

3. Arrow Rock, Saline County: About 50 residents. The entire village is a National Historic Landmark and home to Missouri’s oldest professional theatre.

2. Denver, Worth County: About 30 residents. This incorporated village sits on a former rail line and offers a glimpse of life in one of Missouri’s smallest communities.

1. Worth, Worth County: About 50 residents. The lowest-density town on this list lies in a county with fewer than eight people per square mile.

Before moving to rural Missouri

Check hospital travel times and internet service at the specific property address, not just in the town. Review flood maps and insurance quotes, especially in Clarksville and Alexandria, and confirm whether historic-district restrictions apply.

Which of these Missouri towns would you consider calling home? Share your pick or suggest another rural community worth exploring.

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Some of Virginia's finest barbecue isn't found in Richmond or Norfolk. Instead, it's in quaint towns with just a single traffic light, in spots that were once gas stations, run by locals who've perfected their craft over decades.

These are twelve hidden gems that locals gladly travel three hours for. Most don't advertise, don't accept reservations, and often sell out before day's end.

Before embarking, note that many have limited hours or close once the meat runs out. It’s worth checking ahead. If planning a trip, a few are close enough to visit two in one day.

WHAT'S COVERED
Discover which spots offer whole hog versus shoulder only, where vinegar and tomato sauces dominate as you traverse the state, which places sell out early on Saturdays, and those that are cash-only. Plus, learn about the select few worth dedicating a full day to visit.

BEFORE YOU DRIVE
Hours fluctuate, and some close when sold out. Always call ahead. Some accept cash only. Supporting these establishments can be the difference between them thriving or closing, dependent on regulars and travelers.

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Explore 12 affordable rural towns in Florida, where you can find cheap land, peace, and a low cost of living. These small towns offer a unique lifestyle compared to Florida's costly coastal cities.

We delve into the overlooked small towns of North Florida, the Panhandle, the Big Bend, Suwannee River country, Central Florida's ranch country, and even a tiny Atlantic Coast town with a handful of residents.

Discover communities with historic downtowns, fishing hubs, forests, rivers, and farmland, each with unique small-town stories.

Highlighted Towns:

• Lake Placid
• Monticello
• Micanopy
• White Springs
• Wewahitchka
• Jay
• Paxton
• Horseshoe Beach
• Bristol
• Otter Creek
• Marineland
• Day

Some towns are near larger cities for essential services, while others are more isolated.

If you're searching for cheap places to live in Florida, rural towns, affordable towns, or hidden gems, this countdown is for you.

Note: Consider rural healthcare, employment, hurricane exposure, flood zones, insurance, internet, and distance to services when choosing your ideal town.

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Explore Georgia's affordable tiny home communities where you can live without a hefty mortgage. From Lake Hartwell to Jekyll Island, these areas redefine homeownership.

Learn about various communities, including lakefront options, RV parks, and unique neighborhoods focused on shared spaces and walkability.

We examine the trade-offs, such as lot leases, residency restrictions, and zoning issues, to help you make informed decisions about affordable housing in Georgia.

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Explore affordable farmhouses with expansive land in Montana. Discover 10 properties with massive acreage that you can buy now, starting as low as $45,000. From rural homes to fixer-uppers, find your dream property across the scenic Big Sky Country.

Highlights include:

• 10 affordable Montana properties
• Up to 160 acres of land
• Prices starting at just $45,000
• Homesteads, ranch properties, fixer-uppers, and investment opportunities
• Affordable rural living across the Treasure State

Despite rising costs in Bozeman, Whitefish, and the Flathead Valley, central and eastern Montana still offer hidden gems. Whether you're looking to start a homestead, retire peacefully, or invest in rural real estate, these properties provide incredible opportunities.

Which Montana property would you choose? Would you take the 160-acre farmhouse, the 80-acre homestead, or the $45,000 property with 5 acres?

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Pennsylvania reveals its hidden quirks beyond the cities of Philadelphia and Pittsburgh. Discover the fascinating stories of the state’s most isolated towns, including Centralia, burning since 1962, and the indestructible Concrete City.

Experience the eerie beauty of coal towns turned movie sets, forgotten railroads, and the darkest skies on the East Coast. Unveil the mystery of a town that changed its name after acquiring a sports legend's remains. These towns are shaped by coal, oil, railroads, and unique history.

If you're intrigued by weird geography, abandoned and hidden places, Appalachian history, or ghost towns, keep exploring.

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South Carolina might seem small, but its landscape reveals some of America's most unique and secluded communities. Explore the intriguing towns of Mountain Rest, the submerged valley of Jocassee, the erased town of Ellenton, the tiny police station of Ridgeway, the enigmatic Hell Hole Swamp, and more.

Unearth the stories of storm-stricken Nichols, the Gullah heritage of Sandy Island and Daufuskie Island, and the mysterious Bishopville with its legendary Lizard Man and the stunning topiary garden by Pearl Fryar. Join us as we uncover the hidden side of South Carolina, from its Blue Ridge Mountains to its captivating Lowcountry.

If you're fascinated by South Carolina's secretive geography, abandoned towns, and intriguing history, this episode is a must-listen. Discover the state's hidden gems and cultural treasures.

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Discover 12 budget-friendly Missouri lake towns known for their unique histories and affordable real estate. These locations offer cheap land, low-cost homes, and rural living.

Explore towns like Climax Springs, Linn Creek, Osceola, Hermitage, and more, each with intriguing stories, from communities moved due to reservoir flooding to towns influenced by mysterious scientific investigations.

Visit renowned spots such as Lake of the Ozarks, Truman Reservoir, and Table Rock Lake. Learn about Missouri's real estate nuances, including shoreline rules and building regulations, before making a move.

Whether you're interested in relocating to Missouri, purchasing rural land, or retiring by a lake, these towns offer plenty of opportunities.

Which Missouri lake town would you consider living in? Share your thoughts in the comments!

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Discover Namibia's abandoned and struggling mining towns where homes cost next to nothing. Once among Africa's richest locales, these towns thrived on diamonds, uranium, tin, and copper. Now, they're ghostly reminders of prosperous times past.

Kolmanskop, a renowned diamond town in the Namib Desert, is filled with sand but once boasted a ballroom, theatre, and even an ice delivery service. Join us as we journey through Namibia's deserted towns and uncover their fascinating stories and remarkably cheap homes.

We'll explore:

• Kolmanskop — The desert-swallowed diamond town
• Elizabeth Bay — Abandoned mining settlement
• Pomona and Bogenfels — Inside the forbidden diamond zone
• Lüderitz — Coastal town built around diamonds
• Aus — Surrounded by Namibia's wild horses
• Uis — Tin town now attracting lithium exploration
• Arandis — Uranium town post-boom
• Tsumeb — Extraordinary mineral deposit
• Oranjemund — Secret diamond town opened to the public

We delve into why entire towns were established in this harsh environment and why people eventually left. For those intrigued by Namibia, African geography, ghost towns, and mining history, this exploration unveils a hidden side of the country.

Could you imagine owning a house here? Though affordable, these homes lie hours from major cities, amidst extreme desert conditions and limited services. Would you take the plunge? Let us know where you're from and if this deal appeals to you.

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Why are these Michigan homes with land going unsold despite their seemingly unbeatable prices?

Across Michigan, there are houses, cabins, ranches, camps, barns, riverfront properties, orchards, and expansive acres priced far below the average market value. However, there's often a catch.

This episode delves into 10 Michigan properties that highlight the challenges of selling real estate in rural areas. From Otsego County's vast 42 acres to a secluded camp in Marquette County, these properties offer ponds, state forest access, river frontage, hunting land, barns, and beautiful northern Michigan landscapes.

Yet, cheap real estate in Michigan often comes with hidden costs.

We explore issues related to taxes, septic systems, wells, heating with propane and fuel-oil, seasonal roads, harsh winter weather, small house sizes, financing difficulties, unfinished properties, and the substantial maintenance burden of rural land ownership.

Some homes appear to be incredible bargains, while others reveal why a low asking price doesn't guarantee easy ownership.

• 00:00 Why Are These Michigan Homes So Cheap?
• 01:34 Elmira: 42 Acres, Pond & Huge Barn
• 03:17 Hastings: New Construction on 28 Acres
• 04:54 Bellevue: Modern Home on 36 Acres
• 06:31 Lake Ann: The Northern Michigan Dream
• 08:14 Trout Creek: 68 Acres & River Frontage
• 09:55 Glennie: 16 Acres & Private Creek
• 11:32 Bessemer: Affordable Home Near Big Powderhorn
• 13:13 Newberry: 62 Acres on a Trout River
• 14:52 Pickford: 20 Acres for $114,900
• 16:30 Republic: The $99,900 Off-Grid Camp
• 18:14 Why Nobody Is Buying These Properties

From Northern Michigan and the Upper Peninsula to remote counties away from Detroit and Grand Rapids, these properties reveal a less seen side of Michigan real estate.

Would you choose to buy one of these Michigan homes with land?

Would you trade convenience for space, privacy, hunting opportunities, forests, rivers, and a quieter lifestyle?

Let us know which property you'd choose and where you're watching from.

*This content is for informational purposes only. Property prices and availability may change, and viewers should conduct their own research before making any real estate decisions.*

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