Pros & Cons of living in the country - how a city couple transitions to life in the country!

One of the biggest advantages of living in the country is the peace and quiet. There is no traffic noise, no city noise, and no neighbors immediately close by to disturb you and vice versa. You can enjoy the sound of birds singing, the wind blowing through the trees, and the silence of the night. This is the best sound ever.....  either the sound of silence or the sounds of nature.  This is the life!  

 The air and water in the country are much cleaner than in the city.  You dont notice it until you're immersed in the country life, but there is less pollution and fewer people to contaminate the environment. A deep breath in & out, and your lungs thank you!  I do yoga on our front porch area - it faces the pasture where the animals roam and occasionally come closer to the fence to see what I am doing. Our water is provided through the county's water supply system and it always seems to make city visitors nervous.... lol -  it tastes delicious!  I was nervous at first, but its clean and refreshing.  I still have bottled water on hand- still and sparkling - but mainly for grab & go and to hand out to my FedEx, Amazon, UPS deliveries. 

 In the country, you have more space to spread out. Depending on how much land space you have, your options are endless. You can have a larger house, a bigger yard, and more privacy. We purchased our plot of land with an existing house and have added numerous barns onto the property. The house  itself wasn't my dream house but I was sold on the amount of land and the primary closet.   We are gradually making it our own and the interior looks nothing like it did when we purchased.  Take note, having more space means more to maintain. So if you are thinking you want to simply life, living in the country isn't 100% it.  Its work. 

 In the country, people tend to be more friendly and helpful. You are more likely to know your neighbors and to feel like you are part of a community. A slower pace of life. There are lots of opportunities to get involved, even in smaller communities - if not create an opportunity.  You might find that bringing a smidge of city to the country is accepted as well.  I will drive the RTV down the road and chat with the neighbors and during the cooler seasons there are trail rides that go right in front of our property.  Small town entertainment.  

 One of the biggest challenges of country living is isolation. If you live far from town, you may have to drive long distances to get to the grocery store, the doctor, or the library.  This was something we factored in when we made this decision to buy in rural Texas.  Sometimes it can feel isolating living surrounded by beautiful pines & oaks - but knowing a hop in the suv is easily done and major cities are within a couple hours away. We WANTED to be away from the traffic congestion, hearing sirens, cars speeding down our street, and yes, gun fire.  This is the trade off.  

 The country may not have all the amenities that you are used to in the city. For example, you may have to go without your favorite restaurants, shops, and cultural events. This has been my biggest challenge - my husband, not so much because he's not into big dining experiences -  I definitely miss dining out options for quick bites - Jack Allen's Kitchen, Whiskey Cake, Round Rock Donuts, Blue Corn Harvest, Mandola's, Maudie's Milagro - just to name a few missed favorites.  I will add that discovering new dining experiences has been fun -  Laura's Cheesecake & Cafe, Nardello's, 5D Steakhouse ( a well known celebrity country singer is know to pop in on weekends for the best steaks ever), Crema Cafe, Venice Pizza.  We also know where all the gas stations & convenience stores are that are as close as 8 miles from our country home.  So while it may seem like we are secluded - we are really not really too far. 

Technology is our big thing because we both work from home and depend on having access to the internet.  When we bought, that was a main question I had -  access, ability and reliability.  Its trial and error in finding the best for our particular needs.  It varies day to day -  this is a blessing and a curse -  we remember that one of our reasons for "getting away to the country" was to disconnect from tech and reconnect with each other and for each other.  Both our careers require us to stay connected online and it comes with challenges.  Find what works for your needs in means of accessing internet for work and play and cellular access too!  There are so many work arounds these days ( rural internet has come a long way but still needs improving).  Im on the waitlist for Starlink but what we have through Viasat, has been decent and allows us to stream effortlessly.  IF this is a necessity, do your homework.  The plus is country homes stay on the market a little longer than in-town residential homes. 

Crime rates are typically lower in the country than in the city. There is still crime in the country, and you may have to take extra precautions to protect your property and your family. This is also something we took into account when we made the decision to buy in a less populated area because we knew at any given time, one of us could be home alone.       The fun part is we target practice every weekend! 

The weather in the country can be unpredictable - same as in the city - but the responsibilities of owning a home in the country must continue regardless of weather - you just adapt your schedule the best you can.  We are creating our little ranch filled with sheep, cows, dogs, donkeys, and rescued cats -  in freezing  or hotter than Hades - the weather isn't a factor except insuring the animals are comfortable and have access to food, water, and cover. 

Overall, country living has both advantages and disadvantages. If you are looking for a peaceful, quiet, and slower pace of life, then the country may be the right place for you. However, if you are not comfortable with isolation or lack of amenities, then the country may not be the best fit for you. .Explore your surroundings. Get off the beaten path and take the road less traveled. One of the best things about living in the country is the opportunity to explore your surroundings. Go for walks in the woods, hike in the mountains, or bike along the trails. You never know what you might discover. Enjoy the peace and quiet. One of the best things about country living is the peace and quiet. Take some time each day to relax and enjoy the sounds of nature.  If you are considering moving to the country, I hope this blog post has given you some things to think about. Country living can be a great way to live, but it is important to be aware of the challenges before you make the move and have a Plan B.   

Remember what is important for your life and family -  and remember the BIG PICTURE of what is peaking your interest of moving to the country!  What you give up could also mean a tremendous gain in other areas of your life.