re: "IMO, 'land' is the best investment, especially land that can be farmed or has rental value."
No. Investing in oneself and one's family is the best.
Land has been a terrible investment overall since 1980. It is only in the last 5 years that the outlook has really changed. Land in the midwest is suddenly making some people rich!
Before too much longer, it will be the CROPS that are making them rich. Food prices... and the resulting horror stories... will be THE story of the next ten yars.
Those of you with land: I hope you've planted fruit and nut trees. Anyone can grow a quick summer garden, but trees take years... sometimes decades... before they produce.
In the Spring, I'll be planting trees up North. I've already done a little of that on my existing property, but now that I finally have my FARM and know where I'll be for the remainder of my life, I'm going to get serious. I'm going to plant at least FIFTY in the Spring. If I can't find saplings, then I'll dig holes and throw some whole peaches, plums, nectarines and walnuts in. (I wonder if store-bought nuts are generally viable. Do any of you know?)
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