Farming is more than a hobby; it’s a way of life and a great way to continue an eco-friendly lifestyle. Most countries in the developing world are still agriculturally based—which makes it just as important here in the U.S. to know where your food comes from. Part of moving out to some land is the opportunity to become a little more self-sufficient that you previously were.
It’s a great chance to get your hands dirty and teach your kids how to grow their own food. You might be surprised what they’ll eat once they’ve seen it grow!
(Image via Adobe Stock; Unsplash)
A good bonfire out in the country is hard to beat when it's done right. It’s a fantastic way to collaborate with neighbors and family—by spending time outdoors in the evening with the wide open sky above you.
And bonfires aren’t just for fall or early winter; they’re fun in the summer when the fireflies cover the pastures or in the snow when you’re trying to keep warm with hot cocoa and smores.
There’s nothing better than the expanse of sky over a pasture; it's clear and crisp. In the mornings, you can see the dew on the plants, and in the evenings, you can enjoy the sunset across the landscape.
Living in the country brings less pollution that you’re consuming because you’re just further out from the asphalt jungle of skyrises and exhaust fumes. The abundance of plants literally means cleaner air—and less risk of getting sick.
If you’re living in the country, suddenly, there are fewer services you have access to. You may find yourself having a “nail party” where the ladies can come together, have a glass of wine, and have a spa night.
Similarly, there’s no city pool to access so you may have to make one out of an old truck bed or scout a good swimming hole.
If it’s renewed mental health you’re seeking, there’s no better place to do it than out on an expanse of land. You’ll find plenty of places where quiet and nature combine to create a sense of balance and peaceful backdrop—where you can hear yourself think and feel the tension melt away from your shoulders.
You can enjoy the quiet babble of a nearby stream or the steady buzz of bees pollinating flowers. You may see that your creative side comes out more.
One of the most recognizable benefits of country living is the cost of living. And that means you can travel more often; so you quite literally get the best of both worlds by living in the country.
Provided you’re not heading to the Hamptons, you can find a great place to live with a few acres for under $500,000—which includes 5+ acres and 2,000 sq foot homes—which won’t get you a walkup in Manhattan, Brooklyn or anywhere else in the city; especially free-standing.
Ever wondered how your dog will act off a leash with room to run and play? You can rest easy when you live out in the country; your pets can roam and have the space needed to feel loved and still very cared for.
Allowing your dogs the opportunity to roll in the dirt or sift through a creek bottom allows them to use their natural abilities and is healthier in the long run. Ensure that your pets stay on your property and don’t chase other people or their animals.
Hunting is a natural activity to do out in the country and helps cull overactive deer, rabbit, and squirrel populations. If you are a responsible gun owner with background checks and ensure your weapon is properly registered, you’ll have a lot of fun trying your hand at the sport of hunting.
There’s a reason that so many men head to the woods in the fall; it's not just to cull the deer but for the camaraderie among them. The same is also true for duck hunters: they like the adventure of working together to hunt for sport.
Imagine not sharing a wall with your neighbors. In the country, you’ll likely share fence lines—or at the very least, survey results. Many people are moving for this reason—to get some privacy, a place to breathe, and not share every waking moment with your neighbors above or below you.
You’ll gain a sense of perspective and better both your physical and mental health with just a little access to some wide open spaces.
It’s not just a physical change in location that’s different. It’s a cultural shift- people are more relaxed and more open who live in the country. Everyone helps everyone out- and you’re likely to visit a home for a meal with friends versus a restaurant. Life slows down, but you have more time to make commitments to your community and friends.
Gone are the days of hurrying to culture-filled events in the city like ballet, opera, theatre, or one-night shows. In the country, your new passions can be found out of doors—like camping or 4-wheeling.
You may even find a great swimming hole where you can dabble your feet on a hot day while watching your kids play in a creek and catch crawdads.
Everyone should fish in their lifetimes, even if just to see how very hard yet peaceful it is. Fishing in the country, whether you’re on a fast stream or a lake, allows you the opportunity to be still and commune with nature while trying your hand at fishing.
You’ve got to be calm and secure and still when you fish because the fish can sense the danger from the movement.
If you’ve got a few acres, then you know it's going to take more than just a watering can or a quick jaunt with some clippers to maintain your land. You may have trees to clear or take down after a storm, which is a great chance for a workout and some handy firewood for that fireplace or new firepit.
You’ll need to keep your acreage clean and cut low. (Perhaps there’s even some hay to be found to sell to neighbors.) Or, you may try your hand at farming by creating vegetable gardens or perhaps raising some chickens. Whatever your reason for moving out to the country is, it will involve a little sweat equity to maintain.
If you’ve ever wanted a unique place to reside, there’s no better place than in the country. Not only will you not share a zip code with 3.5 million people, but you’re also likely to share a small post office with rural hours.
You could live in Delight, Arkansas, or Aladdin, Wyoming, or even Bugtussle, Kentucky. Whatever rural area you choose, prepare to have a unique address that includes rural roads and fun locale names.
One of the things you will benefit from is understanding weather and its impact on our world. You’ll be more at the mercy of Mother Nature and likely could be away from weather warnings or the ever-present siren tests on Wednesdays at noon.
Understanding how storms and weather phenomena will directly affect you and your family’s safety is important. You'll find lots of storm chasers in the country, as well as people who enjoy sitting on their porch and watching storms roll by.
While we’ve talked about the necessity of working more outside, you’ll have a designated, separate wardrobe specifically for “working around the house” versus “going to town” or “company coming over.”
While this seems like a big deal, the actual truth is that some of your nicer clothes should be saved from the horrors of mucking a stall or getting drenched in a rainstorm because you’ve got rubber boots around.
Trash disposal will take on a new flair as you’ll likely have to carry it to the ‘dump,’ a local landfill area, or public containers set aside for your community’s use. This is radically different from the days of setting it outside your apartment or on the curb of your local city.
It will likely require you to ride in your vehicle (hopefully a truck) with your garbage. Likewise, with recycling, hopefully you’ll have access to community-wide recycling options.
While every small town seems to have a Dollar General or small Walmart, it's also important to understand that there’s a set of small business owners who would love for you to support them in the form of your patronage.
These small-town residents have all kinds of great businesses, from salons in the back of their homes to auto mechanics. You’ll find friendly people hoping to make a life for themselves and perhaps, you also can start a small business with your gifts.
With your local gym gone, you’ll get to be creative in building muscle and staying fit. Of course, with the outdoors being a large reason you’ve moved, you can also count on honest labor and work to help in this endeavor.
You may find that instead of free weights, you’re using resistance bands and walking/running along country roads.
Many folks move for the school access, and you’ll find that your child is more than just an ID number at most local, rural schools.
You’ll also find that your children will enjoy more one-on-one relationships, and there are many more opportunities for them to be involved at the school level in academics, clubs, and athletic events.
One of the key aspects you will enjoy thoroughly is being part of a strong community. Nothing bonds people faster than commonality in location through tough times and bad. You’ll be part of other folks' families, and they’ll be a part of yours.
Everyone seems to look out for each other—whether it’s a strange truck around or coyotes stealing chickens. It’s also important to note that your community will likely have a strong sense of pride: local parades and high school games become the fun activities, as well as the county fair.
If you’re living in the country because you’ve left the city, you’re likely not spending a wealth of time in traffic daily. This is a great way to reclaim some time for yourself—to spend in meditation, planning your day, trying a new hobby, or catching up on your reading.
While you’ll still likely have a longer commute to reach essential things like medical services, those aren’t the kind of drives or commutes you'd typically spend listening to audiobooks or catching up on email.
Once you move to the country, you can control your own laundry better. Moving away from dry cleaning services that use harsh chemicals on your clothing should be healthier for your fabric fibers.
Drying laundry outside and handwashing will become a chore, but hopefully it’s a happy change that helps protect your investment in clothing.
