Monday, 4 August 2014

Tips For Those Moving To The Country

By Cath Buhr


For those considering a move from the city out to the country, this can be a grand adventure. You are embarking on a totally different kind of life, which can be hugely fulfilling. It is important to note, however, that there are definitely some adjustments that one needs to make and understand.

In the city, you might be moving a mile a second, rushing to get things done and handling 1,000 work and household tasks on any given day. People are just as busy in the country, but the pace is different and many of the tasks are more solitary. With neighbors farther away and many chores to tackle on your property, you will be spending more time alone. You also will be the outsider in this new town and need to find a way to make friends and fit in with the new community. Start out by simply being friendly and introducing yourself to shopkeepers and residents while you are in town. Sit in on a town council meeting or volunteer to help with a community event or perhaps join a local book club or other type of group.

Many city dwellers opt for a country life because they wish to get back to the land and become a bit more self-sufficient. They want to grow their own food and perhaps even raise livestock. While all of this is great, you need to learn how to do these things before you move to the country. Take some gardening classes and study up on how to raise animals safely and properly. When you do move, don't try to do it all the first month. Begin with gardening and then slowly move into owning a few chickens. Ask locals for advice as they know the soil, the climate and how to raise animals.

You will need to get used to living in an area without tons of services or sources of entertainment. If you were addicted to your daily espresso and loved going to professional sports events or live concerts, these aren't going to be easily accessible anymore. That doesn't mean there isn't anything to do, there are simply different things to do and it takes a bit of time to really adjust to the changes in your routine. Shops and restaurants in smaller towns typically close earlier at night than they do in the city, and you need to keep a larger store of supplies on hand simply because you can't always just run to the store for eggs or milk.

Another reality of rural living is that you sometimes have to find alternative sources of energy and water. You aren't always close enough to reach the city water lines, natural gas and sewer. This might mean spending time and money building a system to harness groundwater or you might already have a property with a well. For the sewer issues, you will need to have a septic tank installed or learn how to properly maintain an existing tank. In addition, you will need a source of energy to power appliances and provide heat during the cooler months. While solar panels might work for electricity, propane is an excellent option as a heat source for your furnace, dryer, stove and water heater.

If the home does not have a propane tank, you will need to have one installed and these can be purchased or leased. Often you can buy propane from the company that installs your propane tank. It is just as important that you purchase from a company such as Thrifty Propane, which sells only HD-5 propane, the highest quality propane on the market. Thrifty Propane provides Delaware propane, Indiana propane, Michigan propane, Ohio propane, New Jersey propane, Pennsylvania propane and Maryland propane.




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