Making the switch to a rural lifestyle may seem like a daunting task, but with careful planning and preparation, it can be a smooth transition. Moving from the hustle and bustle of the city to a rural area can have many benefits for your family – including more time together, a stronger sense of community, and better overall health. If you’re thinking about making the move, this blog is for you!
Photo by Jack Cohen on Unsplash
Doing Your Research
Before making the big move from city to farm, it’s important to do your research. Get a good sense of the area by exploring online and using resources such as census data to understand the demographics. Consider job opportunities for yourself or your family. Look into housing costs and availability, potential schools for children, and access to amenities like grocery stores and medical care. Additionally, you should get an idea of local regulations that may affect farming activities such as zoning laws and permits required for selling produce in certain areas. Doing this legwork up front can save you lots of stress once it is time to actually make the switch!
Making a Financial Plan For Rural Lifestyle
Moving from urban living to rural living is not just about changing your physical address; it’s also about changing your financial situation. You need to be realistic about the costs associated with the move, both in terms of relocating and setting up your farm. Consider housing expenses such as mortgage or rent payments, utility bills, property taxes and insurance premiums. Additionally, start looking into equipment purchases you may need for the farm like tractors or greenhouses, estimating labor costs associated with farming activities, and even researching potential grants available for start-up farmers. A farm shed or garage can also be helpful for storage of equipment and supplies.
Planning for Work & Community Involvement
Making a living off of farming can take some time to get comfortable with. In addition to tending crops on your own land, there are many ways to supplement income while getting started at the same time. Look into opportunities for off-farm work like teaching, consulting or even managing other people’s farms. Additionally, getting involved in the local community can be a great way to meet new people and learn about resources available for farmers. Find out about your local agricultural extension office, which can provide valuable know-how on farming techniques, marketing options and more.
Preparing Your Family & Home
Moving from city life to farm life is a major adjustment for everyone in your family – especially if you have children. Talk with them openly and honestly about the move so they understand what lies ahead of them and how it will affect their day-to-day lives. Additionally, prepare your home before you make the switch by decluttering, packing up items you don’t need and fixing any issues that may have been causing problems in your current living space. Consider small changes you can make to your home to make it suitable for country living such as adding equipment storage or enclosing a porch.
Making the Move To A Rural Lifestyle
When all of your research is complete and you’ve prepared yourself and your family, it’s time to make the move! Moving trucks are likely not ideal for rural roads so arranging alternate transport like trailer rentals or borrowing friends’ trucks may be necessary. Once you arrive at the farmhouse, take some time to familiarize yourself with the area – check out local shops, visit nearby farms and get acquainted with neighbors. From there, you can start tackling the project of setting up your own farm.
Finally, be sure to enjoy the process and don’t forget why you made the switch in the first place – for a better quality of life! Moving from urban to rural living may seem like a daunting task but with the right research and preparation, it can be an incredibly rewarding adventure. Good luck and happy farming!