Transition to the country

[HoldenCaufield]

Hey everyone

I come from Boston and I'm planning on moving somewhere as rural as I can


I was just wondering if there is anyone else who, like me, has spent their hole live in the city aside from Vacationing and passing through that has made their move to the country

What was your expierence?
What surprised you about the change in lifestyle?
Do you have any advice for an easy and smooth transition?

Thanks for your time and input!

-holden

[Silvercreek Farmer]

Wife and I both grew up in mid size cities, biggest in the state but small compared to Boston. Although drive times are similar because traffic is so much less, we put many more miles on and buy much more gas. Not to be snobby, but locals tend to be much less educated, and while generally kind, can have some abrasive views on certain issues. Jobs are limited, very limited. If folks have a decent one, the do not leave. This suppresses wages. We are in the Bible Belt and most socialization is centered around church. Town is peppered with old money families that tend to be exclusive. People are less traveled. Cost of living is low, once you have eaten at all the restaurants in town, eating out is less exciting. Services are cheaper. Websites of local businesses are old and outdated. Lines are shorter but be prepared for folks in service businesses to be in no hurry. The grapevine is often the best place to find farm supplies and services, not the yellow pages. This is our experience and probably similar to a lot of the lower income rural areas of the country, this of course could be completely different in high dollar "horse country" areas.

[slipshift]

My wife is from Las Vegas, I'm from the Chicago area. There is some culture shock but we came for the culture (and cheap land). The locals are less educated but they know many things we don't. The biggest mistake you can make is to try to impose your culture on theirs. If something is going on that doesn't make sense, just ask why they do it that way. Our neighbors are always willing to explain. We've been here 20 years but are still "from off", that's just the way it is. There are plenty of good people everywhere so if you don't come off as a know-it-all you will do fine.

Good Luck,

Jim

[Silvercreek Farmer]

Yep, go with the flow!

[big rockpile]

Got to agree Country Folks have their own way don't try changing it. Truth I found I could get along in the city better than most could come from the city.

Go with the flow you will be OK

big rockpile.

[FakeMountainMan]

My wife hasn't come to terms with the lack of shopping. I look at it like a camping trip that never ends. It takes getting used to the slow pace. No one is in a hurry to do anything around here, even when you are waving money in their face. I'm getting used to it

[slipshift]

It would be a good idea to rent a place for a year. Many people move here and leave within a few months. The locals here think people from off are rich, which they are, comparatively, so you will be charged Yankee prices. Just human nature probably found in any small town. We also live closer to nature, meaning more bugs and dirt. Also, if possible, join a local organization or volunteer group because you will get a lot of good advice from people that aren't trying to sell you something.

Jim

[simi-steading]

I'm kinda split.. I've spent some years in the city, and I've spent some years in very rural areas... We're back in the country again and loving it..

One thing about country living, NEVER get in a hurry.. it will get you hurt, or it will cost you a bunch of money or time.. .There is a reason people in the country go slow.. It's not because they are lazy...

My wife keeps saying everything you do is a big ordeal and takes a long time. It does... You start a job, and about that time, something else happens that changes all your priorities.. such as just yesterday I went out to get firewood.. I was turning the truck around and was backing up a hill.. I caught one of my exhaust tips in the dirt and bent the exhaust back up under the truck and dragging the ground. My priorities changed. I had to get that cut off and the rest wired back up until I can get it fixed.. That's going to be some expensive firewood for this year.. So much for free heat.. In the country, starting one job usually means you'll be doing 5 jobs that day...

Speaking of free... Well water.. Many think it's free.. but it's far from it.. electric to run the pump, the cost of the filters if you have any or need them.. the cost of parts like the pump or bladder tank when they need replaced.. Just because you have resources, does not mean everything is cheaper than living in the city..

I asked my wife.. .What's better.. spending a day or two working behind a desk in the city to pay for you winter heating bill for the month, or spending a couple days gathering wood for a months worth of heat... Myself, I'd rather do all the hard work gathering wood.. Others would rather sit at a desk doing nothing... I bet I live longer.. (short of the very real possibility of a bad accident)

As far as the people, a couple posters that I liked above really hit the nail on the head.. People who have lived in the country are not dumb like most city people think... The are very smart.. They may not have a HS education, but they can survive.. something many college graduates couldn't do if they had to.. Country people have so much common sense it's unreal..

OH, and country kids.. Usually VERY well behaved, and WAY far ahead in being responsible. Nothing like most spoiled snot nosed entitled city kids.. Many in the country live by the seen and not heard mantra..

[badlander]

I'd advise to get used to solitude and quiet. Nothing like a summer evening when you can hear the corn grow and there are so many stars overhead that all you can do is gasp and stare in awe at heaven's display.

Also the inconvenience. Out of milk? No cow? Store is 10 miles away instead of down the street so learn to stock up on necessities when you grocery shop.

Get used to not having 85 TV stations to choose from unless you want to invest in satellite TV. You may find that you really don't need 85 stations to choose from because you are spending a lot of free time if you have any, sitting on the back porch with a glass of iced tea or beer in your hand, relaxing and watching nature. It's far more entertaining anyway.

Get used to something always needing to get done and your old city friends just not understanding why you have to do 'work' when they come to visit you. Oh, you will have time to visit but you will also have to take time to pick produce when it is ripe, split wood when it is needed and in our case, rescue that stupid dog that fell into the flood swollen stream and needs to be fished out. (really happened to us)

Otherwise, once you get used to your new lifestyle, you will never EVER want to go back to the city.

Good luck with your new endeavor.

[HoldenCaufield]

It seems as if things like shopping and tv don't really concern me as I don't have television or go shopping much anyway, however I am very sad to hear about "Yankee pricing". But I guess that will be par for the course.

Thanks for all of the advice !!!!

[BlueRose]

Do research on the different States. Then take your vacation and visit the area that you picked to look at. Find an area that yells home. Then more research. Check into the state laws, county laws. Drive the area. Talk to the locals. Talk to the people at the county court house. Then look at property that is for sale. Dont be scared to ask the locals if they know of any good property for sale. Alot of property in the states are sold by word of mouth.

But the most important think is make your list of what you want to do in the country. Make a list of items you will need and start buying it now.

PS: Not all of the locals are uneducated. There are quite a few that have college degrees. I have a doctor and a lawyer that live in a mile radius of me. They are both on family property.

[geo in mi]

You might be trading concrete for manure, car horns for crickets, sitting in a car for an hour while waiting for sitting in a car for an hour while driving.....

People will be the same mixture--some with good humor, some grouchy. Some generous, some stingy. Some nice, some rude. In the country, you may have to work more with your whole body rather than just your fingers......but it's up to you and your own attitude as to how you live where you live.

geo

[stef]

As someone else already mentioned (and depending on how far out you might be) be prepared for the silence. It can be intimidating and scary for someone who is used to the noise and constant sounds of city life. Until you adapt, a lot of the noises in the dark might seem scary or threatening. Another thing to prepare for psychologically is the dark. There are very few places in a city where it is completely dark.
But, if this is your heart's desire, I'm sure you will adapt. And if it's where you're meant to be, you will love it.
If you're a Christian I would encourage you to take this to the Lord in prayer. Sometimes He will allow His will to draw us in certain directions.
Wishing you the very best. stef

[topofmountain]

A lot good things here.
But growing up & living rural my whole life as my wife has. I'm not sure the term not being educated is correct. My wife has two masters degrees.
The truth is I have watched city folk move to the rural areas all my life. Very few stay past a few years, percentage wise.
Mostly the wife's can deal with the isolation, lack of shopping, the long distances of travel etc.

[Vahomesteaders]

Learn to fit in quick. Many locals don't like city folks. Learn their ways their dress and their culture. You will be considered an outsider for many years and looked at as though you are simple. But stick with it and adapt. You will be laughed at many times. Specially if you got a Yankee accent. Unless of coarse your still in Yankee land then don't worry because none of them are really country folk anyway. Lol jk. Lots of good info above. It's all new and scary but you will be fine. You learn quick. And you will add years to your life.

[slipshift]

Silence in the country? Sometimes It's a constant din of crickets, dogs barking or playing, chickens muttering, roosters crowing, neighbor's cows mooing, owls hooting, distant gunshots, chainsaws, tractors, etc. But it's home and I'm blessed to have all this.

Jim

[treesaw]

Interesting thread! And lots of good advice, here.

I, too, lived in big cities my whole life...Chicago suburbs for over 20 years. Moved to rural Missouri in 2009 after purchasing it in 2001...8 years creating and building a plan to a more peaceful, fulfilling life. Biggest regret is I wish I would have moved much earlier than I did! Some suggestions...keep a journal and photo journal of your journey. You will learn and experience so much!!! I took some pictures, but I wish I would have devoted much more time to documenting my experience.

I planned on a HUGE DROP in income...what I really didn't plan for was...the income drop is leveled out by the lack of material items to spend it on. There's not a lot of restaurants...clothing shops...etc., so by default...you spend ALOT less money! I think initially in those first few years...this was the hardest thing to adjust to...I mean when you want a Chicago pizza...you want a Chicago pizza...craving! Same thing with gyros...and Italian beef. I still miss these iconic food items!! But I wouldn't move back!

Living in the country is an entirely different world. You will have a lot of fun learning and creating projects at home. Good luck!!

[ksfarmer]

Just my 2 cents, but if you move to the country thinking the locals are a bunch of uneducated, lazy hicks you won't last long. Chances are you will never adapt and you better stay in the city where you are all so educated, ambitious and cultured.....

[Vernitta]

I miss going out to eat. Everything is too far and my husband doesn't make as much money. Instead of spending the money on restaurants I get to spend it on animals that I finally get to have. I'll take the animals any day.

After putting all the animals to bed at night I get to enjoy a little bit of peace and quiet. But, then the bugs start. I'll take those over shouting neighbors, sirens, horns, and traffic any day.

I enjoy the dark, but then we have a neighbor that keeps their flood light on all night. It's hard to look at the stars with that thing on, but it's better than the city lights.

I don't mind barking dogs, because I know they are barking at the 4-legged predators and not the 2-legged kind.

The house we were able to buy is a fixer upper. Coming from the city I expected people to turn their noses up at it. Instead everyone around here sees the potential that we see. Peoples' humility out here is like a breath of fresh air. There aren't any airs, just good old fashioned kindness and generosity. People have helped us in many different ways and expected nothing out of it.

[Vernitta]

I was telling my husband the other day that people move to the city for "culture". Out here where people are real is the kind of "culture" I want.