Land is the foundation of Amish economics. No land = no farm, no farm = no family.
How They Save
10-15 years as apprentice and craftsman. Live modestly, save 30-50% of income. Community may lend at 0% (no banks). By 25-30 — enough for first plot.
What They Look For
Fertile soil (main criterion). Water (spring or shallow groundwater). Near community (children walk to school). Road (for buggy). 50-80 acres optimal.
Prices
Lancaster, PA: $15,000-25,000/acre (among most expensive farmland in US). Ohio, Indiana: $5,000-10,000/acre. New communities (Missouri, Kentucky): $2,000-5,000/acre. Amish actively migrate to cheaper states.
Rule
Never buy more than you can work. Better 50 acres debt-free than 200 with a mortgage.