How did the transition to rural work out for you?

[sept15lija]

I am starting to seriously think about rural living. I've always wanted to live with a little bit of land, maybe have a horse, some chickens....a big veggie garden etc.. DH is totally on board as well. I work from home so I can take my job with me, and DH hopefully would be able to find something nearby. But if he didn't, we have a lot of equity in our home now and most likely have a small mortgage with a new place that we could afford on my salary. So financially we'd most likely be OK.

Everyone around us would think we were nuts...but I'm OK with that since they already think I'm kind of weird....I'm sure most of you know all about that. This is probably something we're working into a five year plan. I'm just worried that I will end up missing city living....I live in a city with about 175K people, lots of shopping, close to big cities, etc. I don't want to make this kind of move and then find out it is totally not what I wanted to begin with. I think I have this idyllic idea of what it will be like but I don't know the reality of it. I also have a very close knit family (albeit with a lot of drama) and I'm worried about how much we'll miss them too. We're looking at places that are about an hour away from where we live now....an hour, not a big deal, right??

Anyways just looking for some advice, how did the transition go for you and your families? DS & DD are very young right now but if we were to leave in say four years, I also am wondering how they would take it, moving away from their friends and cousins and grandparents.

[karne]

What is it that you're looking for by wanting to go rural? It might help if you define that a bit. Chickens can be done even in the suburbs, as can gardening. Horses can be stabled or leased, and they are usually happier in herds, anyway. What are you looking for that can't be found where you are now?


We live rurally. An hour's drive is par for the course for us to get anywhere besides the local town, so any big shopping, etc. requires a trip. Raising your kids in a farm/rural type situation is quite different from the suburbs or city, so that's something to think about. Your life becomes about your home, animals, family...it's a good life, but it's important to know what you're getting into.

[HeatherAtHome]

Around here, there isn't a lot that's really rural (unless you go further north), we just have small towns, farms, bits of land (you'll still have neighbours) but possibly end up being further from schools, larger shopping centres etc.

My parents live an hour out from the 'city', we chose to live 10 minutes from the 'city'. We live on a dirt road, sparse residential/farmland/forest and have 1/3 of an acre. It works for us. I have a big garden, we have room for chickens and other small animals but wouldn't go for anything that needs grazing space.

We see my family a couple times a month when they come into town to do a big shopping, run errands etc. We go out to see them less often than they come to see us. We visit more often in the summertime, go swimming at the lake etc.

Growing up we were never really far from neighbours, there were always kids around. I think rural around here (in Qc) means something different than say, rural in Alberta or Idaho where you have big farms etc.

I don't think you need to get out very far to find a nice piece of "rural" land.

[sept15lija]

Heather - We're in Ontario and we're thinking along those lines...out of the city but still with neighbours...we're definitely not looking at a big farm or anything, just more space. You're right you don't need to go too far, where we are probably an hour would be a good distance away to find what we're looking for.

karne - We're very focused on our family. I guess what we're really looking for is quiet. I am not good with people just kind of dropping by (which happens a lot), plus it just seems I can't even go into my backyard without neighbours on both sides always wanting to engage in these massively long conversations when all I want to do is some weeding and relaxing. I do really like people and would have every intention of joining a local group of some description, for example we are involved with our church, and would join a new congregation wherever we end up....but at home I want space and peace. Things are just so busy around here, when all DH & I want to do is enjoy each other....it's like other people think we're lacking somehow because we don't want to put in 80 hours a week at our jobs. I would much rather be taking care of my home and family than do much else...luckily my job is good for that because I can earn money and still be at home. I worry about our kids though....we grew up in the suburbs and have no idea how it would be for them out there. It if were just me and DH I'd go and not look back I don't think. Anyhow hopefully that makes sense, it is something we need to really think about!

[karne]

I can definitely appreciate what you're looking for. I can speak a bit to the "kid' questions. My children go to school, so they have lots of friends and peer interactions. But because we do live rurally, I find that a good part of their time at home is spent with each other, playing, building, reading, gardening-you name it. I really treasure this time they have together. We do have lots of friends over, sleepovers, etc., but I guess what I'm saying is that our lifestyle has leant itself to really close family connections.

[HeatherAtHome]

Originally Posted by karne

I can definitely appreciate what you're looking for. I can speak a bit to the "kid' questions. My children go to school, so they have lots of friends and peer interactions. But because we do live rurally, I find that a good part of their time at home is spent with each other, playing, building, reading, gardening-you name it. I really treasure this time they have together. We do have lots of friends over, sleepovers, etc., but I guess what I'm saying is that our lifestyle has leant itself to really close family connections.

This is how we grew up and it was fine. Actually, in the summer, we would play in the woods (I'm talking real woods here) and make these 'cabins' and explore and play all day. We had this bell my dad made out of old bits of metal and that thing was LOUD. They'd ring that when it was time to eat or we had to come home for some reason. It was the teenage years when things got a little boring and wished I had more friends around, but overall I LOVED living in the country.

ETA: When I graduated from high school and moved to the 'city' to find a non manufacturing type job, I feel in love with living in a more urban environment... but that love only lasted a year or two and then I spent 7 years pining for peace and quiet of the country. And now I'm back!

[Nursingnaturalmom]

We moved from a brand new side by side duplex in the largest city in Wisconsin (700,000) to a rural farm in a town of less than 400. Its been a year. We wanted to move because we have 5 kids and wanted them to have room to run. Cost of living is outrageous in the city, its much simpler out here. Life is quieter here. Its slower. I needed that.
Saying all of that....ITS BEEN HARD!! Its been a horrible year. I think NOW we are finally getting comfortable, but it hasn't been easy.

[sept15lija]

Originally Posted by HeatherAtHome

This is how we grew up and it was fine. Actually, in the summer, we would play in the woods (I'm talking real woods here) and make these 'cabins' and explore and play all day. We had this bell my dad made out of old bits of metal and that thing was LOUD. They'd ring that when it was time to eat or we had to come home for some reason. It was the teenage years when things got a little boring and wished I had more friends around, but overall I LOVED living in the country.

ETA: When I graduated from high school and moved to the 'city' to find a non manufacturing type job, I feel in love with living in a more urban environment... but that love only lasted a year or two and then I spent 7 years pining for peace and quiet of the country. And now I'm back!

That's exactly what I want for my kids, room to play, woods to roam...something you just don't get here unless you drive to it. Even when I was a kid, it was better, there were more creeks and treed spaces that I could explore...it's like they've all been taken over now. Also I had a big backyard with lots of trees to hide out in, and I just can't afford that kind of space for my kids in this city. You know and even living here, (not that it's a big city, but still more going on than other places) I was totally bored during my teenage years too. So I don't think that's only country living!

Nursingnaturalmama - If you don't mind, could you share what your challenges have been so far?