If you are fed up with the hustle and bustle of inner-city living, why not move to the countryside? Perhaps you have spent your whole life in urban environments for the job prospects and social opportunities, but after a while, this lifestyle can become stressful. The constant noise of traffic outside your window, the air pollution from cars and factories, and the low-level stress that pervades your mind every minute of the day: these things can all take their toll on your mental health and physical wellbeing.
It’s for this reason that many people decide to pack up and move to the country later in life. The rural lifestyle will afford you more peace and quiet and to live out your days at a more relaxed pace. It will do wonders for your mental health, and you will get to spend all day amongst gorgeous natural landscapes, breathing in fresh air and gazing up at the stars each night.
But moving your life across the country is by no means an easy feat, especially when you have family and professional commitments. And once you get settled, you will have to deal with the hurdles of loneliness and making new friends.
But if done right, country living can have so many benefits for you and your loved ones. To help you adjust to your new lifestyle and make things easier for your whole family, here are six tips for starting a new life in the countryside.
Try it first
If you’ve never lived in a rural environment before, moving your entire life to the countryside is a huge step to take. You run the risk of settling down then quickly realizing that it’s not for you. Before you waste time and money and end up full of regret, why not give country living a test drive before you buy a new house? Use your vacation time to bring your family out to a holiday cottage or cabin in the remote countryside and see how you all get on without the extravagances of the city. Alternatively, you could take this a step further by moving into a rented property for a few months to try out the lifestyle. At the end of your lease, you can either move back to the city or start looking for a more permanent residence. If you like it, start contacting real estate agents like northwest-national.com to find your beautiful new country house.
Pick the right location
The countryside is enormous, and there are endless options when choosing a place to settle down. Consult with the whole family and make a list of essential and desirable criteria for your new home. Do you want to be within driving distance or a big town, or would you prefer to be tucked away in the middle of nowhere? Do you need a place with a thriving community and social scene or do you crave solitude? Perhaps the job prospects are a key consideration, or you need a location with plenty of hiking trails for weekend adventures. These factors will help to narrow down your options and find the perfect place for everyone involved.
Stay connected
One of the biggest drawbacks of living in a rural environment is the separation from your loved ones back home. You’ll be saying goodbye to your urban friends and family members, and you will most likely end up a significant distance away from them. This can lead to feelings of loneliness and isolation, so make an effort to stay connected. Make sure you are well acquainted with communication technology like Zoom or Skype and make arrangements to catch up regularly. This will help you to adjust to your new home while you are in the process of meeting your neighbors and settling in.
Get involved in your community
Most small towns and villages have an incredibly strong sense of community. Certainly much greater than you would get in a city with thousands of people in. It’s common for all the residents of a rural locality to know each other and throw regular meetings and social events for the community. As soon as you move in, make an effort to get to know your neighbors and show an active interest in community projects and events. Sign up for local sports clubs or a book group, and consider involvement in the village council or volunteering initiatives. This will help you to shake off the initial feelings of loneliness and start to see the potential in your new environment.
Explore your surroundings
One of the best parts of moving to the countryside is all that wilderness right on your doorstep. Don’t take this for granted so get outside as much as you can to explore the natural environment. Use your weekends to go for long walks in the hills, bike rides on the quiet country roads, and explore the fields and farmlands around your home. Your body will instantly benefit from the exercise and the lack of pollution will be a breath of fresh air after the smoke and smog of the city.
Equip yourself
Rural living is completely different from urban living, and you will need a whole new set of clothes and tools to survive. Your first step should be to invest in a new wardrobe full of country clothes to keep you warm and dry in all weather. You’ll spend a lot more time walking through muddy fields and down unpaved roads so a good pair of protective footwear is essential. Away from the facilities and services of the city, you might end up having to learn a lot more about repairs, gardening, and DIY so make sure your garage is full of useful materials. A reliable car is also essential. You’ll have less access to buses and trains so you’ll need to spend a lot more time driving than before.
In conclusion, moving to the countryside can provide an excellent quality of life, but you must be prepared and know what you’re getting into. By following these six tips you will be fully equipped to make the most of your new life in the country.
