With more folks working remotely and no longer physically tied to their place of employment, we’ve gotten more flexibility with where we live, and more and more people are opting to move out of the city and into a quieter, more peaceful rural area. Sam made the move from Singapore to her husband’s family’s countryside apple orchard a few years ago, and I (Eva) am in the process of building home in the countryside to leave the city of Portland, so we’re diving into and sharing about our experiences + recommendations with that transition.
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Some of the less glamorous but SUPER important things to consider when relocating to a rural township are access requirements for staples like water + electricity. Will you be using well water, will you be able to tap into the local electric grid, how much will it cost to bring electricity and internet out to the future homesite if you’re building, etc.
It’s also important to think about the wildlife and environment you’re moving out into. Often times you’re more exposed to the elements in rural places, so you want to think about the seasons + weather and how that will affect the home (does it snow a lot, would it makes sense to have a wood stove, should you get a metal roof to prevent embers from igniting the house if you live in a wild fire-prone area, etc.) And it’s important to think about the wild animals that live around your home, too, and how you can protect your home from damage (like woodpeckers) while also respecting that you’re living in their habitat, too.
When you live out in the countryside, you’re also farther away from the conveniences of the big city. So keep in mind that you won’t have grocery delivery at your fingertips, and will have to make trips to the city to purchase particular things from time to time.
And lastly, it’s so important to embrace the sense of community. When you live in a small town, you get to know everyone, and everyone gets to know you. It’s a place where your actions have a more visible impact on the people and environment around you, so be courteous, be kind, and give back when you can.
References + Mentions:
Listener Mail:
Cara asks: How do you style a space to feel larger when it has low ceilings and not a lot of windows?
Sarah asks: What veggies can you grow in an apartment if you have no balcony?
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