Moving to a rural area is all the rage right now. Some of the largest cities in the United States are reporting large numbers of people choosing to live in the more rural portions of the country.
It should come as no surprise. It is an excellent way to escape from the noise, pollution, and the never-ending hustle and bustle of modern society.
However, rural living is different from city life. If you come unprepared, it might even turn into a dreadful ordeal. Luckily, there are ways to mitigate this risk.
For instance, you might need to adjust your definition of nearby. Think about what city conveniences you are willing to give up. Be ready to make long drives just to get your weekly groceries or fill up your tank.
On top of that, the more remote your location, the more likely you are to need some dual fuel generators to keep everything running at all times.
If this sounds like something that you would like to learn more about, continue reading this article, as it will walk you through some of the most important things you should know before packing your bags.
Long Drives
If you are moving to a rural area, you should probably get used to driving long distances on a regular basis. In many cases, the closest grocery store will be a thirty-minute drive away. This means that you might need to go for a big shopping trip once every couple of weeks instead of going shopping every second day.
Of course, in the rural areas, there usually is a grocery store. So you will be able to get a loaf of bread or a gallon of milk, as well as some fruits or vegetables.
Still, most of your shopping will be focused on big chain supermarkets such as Costco or Walmart. Local grocery stores can end up being quite pricey to shop at.
You may be used to being able to get anything you want or need as soon as you think about it. However, you might need to change your mindset and get into the habit of making detailed grocery lists.
There will also need to be a plan for your gas fill-ups and outings way more strategically. And sometimes it may be necessary to plan your day around a particular trip or appointment that requires a long drive.
Limited Options
If you move into the countryside from one of the bigger cities, chances are that you will miss certain conveniences which are hard to find in smaller towns and more secluded areas. These are places such as grocery shops that remain open late into the night or easy access to professional healthcare services.
As such, think about what services you cannot imagine not having nearby. Keep them in mind before deciding to buy land or a house.
Furthermore, if you are an avid online shopper or tend to order food delivery a lot, remember that some of your favorite companies might not provide their services in the countryside. While large corporations like Amazon may still offer delivery services in your area, it might be impossible to order something from Postmates or Uber Eats.
Worse Access to Technology
If your job requires you to use the Internet or you rely on technology because you are an avid online games player, you will need to pick your new hometown with a fast and reliable Internet connection in mind.
Of course, it is always possible to use your smartphone as a hotspot or buy a portable Wi-Fi device. But this should rather be your backup plan in case the connection goes out, not your primary way to get online.
Therefore, do not forget to do lots of research before moving. Make sure to find an internet service provider with good and reliable reception in the area that you move to.
This is especially important if you also want to continue to be able to use Netflix, Hulu, or your other favorite streaming platform.
If you decide to move to an extremely remote area, you might find it difficult to find an electricity supplier. For that reason, you will likely need to make a switch to power generators. Or you can start making use of things like solar panels or wind turbines to get the energy you need to power your house.
Limited Public Transportation
Public transportation is something that many people take for granted. Especially if they have never lived outside the big city.
Once you move to the glorious countryside, there will most likely be no taxi services waiting to pick you up. And you can forget about the idea of getting an Uber or a Lyft.
Depending on your exact location, buses may be available. But there will not be multiple departure times. Getting to the closest train station or an airport can also be quite time-consuming.
You will have to rely on your own transportation. There is simply no way around it. Owning a car is a must if you plan on living in a rural area.
Fewer Places to Eat Out
If you are the kind of person who does not like cooking or simply enjoys visiting different restaurants and eating their favorite fast foods regularly, you might need to change your habits in a rural area.
Depending on the town’s size or the village you move to, there might be a few dinner places. Or there may be just one restaurant that the locals frequent. And they certainly will not be serving any gourmet dishes. The food is likely to be pretty simple.
In Conclusion
Many people dream of moving to a rural area. But there can be many challenges that you will have to deal with when planning to move there.
To make a more informed decision regarding your big move and lifestyle change, keep the information above in mind.
Additionally, living in the countryside comes with many benefits. Examples are a slower pace of life and the true delight of quiet open space. Nevertheless, first, you will probably need to get used to the long drives required to get to the grocery store.
Accept the fact that the technology might not be as good as in the city. And ditch the idea of relying on public transportation. Luckily, once you adjust to everything, you should be able to live a happy and peaceful life closer to nature!