Leaving the City
I’m sure I’m not the only one looking to trade city life for something more private and peaceful right now.
What steps are you taking or what can I do in the mean time to prepare myself for the transition?
For now, I’m growing in containers, doing a lot of reading and researching, and getting other areas of my life in order.
Comments
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Welcome to the TGN forum, @RachelWrites!
Escaping from the city is a good goal in my opinion! I am from the country. I only lived in a smaller city for a short time and was happy when I finally left it. I don't mind visiting it (normally) though.
I think that you are doing the right things. I am not sure how to add advice to that, except to find excellent mentors, especially those who are in your area & are older with a wealth of knowledge & experience...and are always willing to learn. Degrees and such don't always translate into real life working knowledge. Listen to the sensible people, calm & balanced in their approach. Avoid flighty ones that change with the wind.
Know what you want go do. Make a plan. Be open to change. Not much is set in stone when dealing with the weather or animals. Be aware of the laws & bylaws where you will move to. Some have tight restrictions, some have more freedoms. You want the latter.
Do you want neighbors close by or far away? Be careful of community. Are they friendly and helpful or cold to outsiders. City folks are often not well received due to some bad eggs. Listen, learn, be friendly and reasonably generous.
Do you have a place already in mind or is it a dream at this point?
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Learn as much as you can, then pick one or two things to start with. So many people make the move, then try to add all the things at once. They get overwhelmed and give up. So figure out what you are most passionate about and dig into learning all you can about those things. Once you have the first couple of things down, add another one to dig into.
Don't try to do it all at once!
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@Mary Linda Bittle Perfect advice!
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A lot really depends on how remote the place you are going is, comparatively. I never liked city life, at all... and have never lived in one for very long. My opinion is, the more rural, the better. Every neighbor is both a potential asset and liability - some are good, some are bad. The bad ones can really cause a lot of trouble! The more you know how to do for yourself, the more resilient and even self sufficient you become, the less you need neighbors. A few "down the road" that keep to themselves, but are friendly enough and will help in an emergency is best. I think learning that one really has to do most things for oneself is the biggest adjustment. I'm always amazed by folks who move to the country and are surprised that they no longer have a trash collection service. Yes, you have to deal with your own garbage! It is also funny when new-comers get all upset that they heard someone shooting . Unless you own a huge amount of property, and have it it posted no trespassing, chances are you will hear someone hunting or target shooting somewhere nearby. It also takes a very long time for police or fire response, so protecting your property is your responsibility. If your car won't start one morning, you need to be able to work on it yourself, or be prepared for a long wait for help. I agree on taking things slowly, learning one skill at a time. Don't wait, however, to start an ongoing list of all risks/liabilities and to make workable plans to deal with them.
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I've lived in cities, big cities, massive cities (NY), on top of a mountain in a trailer, in villages, in rural areas. They all have something to offer. Probably my favorite was the village setting where you are close enough to other people if you need help or don't want to be totally isolated, yet are just next door to open spaces. Probably my least favorite was on top of the mountain, when the bear got under the trailer and the dog from down the pike tried to protect us by barking at it...
One thing though, is that I won't ever trade my easy-biointensive gardening for a huge garden full of rows, even when I have the space. I get better yield with less pain using the Box Plots than anywhere, so even if I do decide to live on my acreage out in the boonies some day, I'll put up a couple systems of Box Plots and some greenhouses. Time is still Time, and my back issues won't go away just because I am in the country.
I'd really recommend getting a Red Cross basic first aid/shock/trauma/triage certification training at the very least. I'm contemplating getting some basic medic training on top of what I do know, regardless of where I am living. For one thing, it's been a while since I had my training and I've worked on animals more recently than dealing with humans, so it's time. There's a training here with The Grow Network that could be helpful as well - this community really rocks!!
One thing I found out for sure was that it isn't quieter in the country... not in the NC Mts, anyway. Just different noises! Instead of sirens you get the screams of rabbits being killed or the yowls of various hunters. And those strolls you might like to take in the yard in the city aren't necessarily a good idea in the happy snake and whatnotthat you can step on if you aren't careful. And raccoons are mean bastards.
@judsoncarroll4 I am absolutely sure that, even with my property being Posted, people are shooting on my land. Some yahoos just don't give a ***, and it's another factor I'm not willing to deal with at the moment.
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Great advice from others! I’d recommend getting comfortable with firearms and having something for protection when you do move more remote. Depends where you are, but like Judson said, it can take a very long time for police or emergency response. I lived most of my life in Seattle, but now live very rural-40 miles to town & the grocery store. I hadn’t realized that I would need to carry a gun while walking in my own yard, but several cougar encounters have made it very clear that it is foolhardy not to carry. Hopefully you don’t have to defend yourself & property often, but you need to be prepared to.
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Welcome @RachelWrites
I understand what you doing, I'm just a few steps ahead of you in my planning. In your research, are you looking at where you'd like to go? Start saving and thinking about "research" trips to those areas when travel opens up more.
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Hey there @RachelWrites
Three years ago we moved from central Phoenix to Western NC, we live outside of a small town with about 600 people in town. We take our trash in too. Definitely helps to be aware of waste.
Before the moved I studied the crafts of farming. By volunteering and taking classes. I also worked in horticulture (10+years), so i was familiar with equipment, chainsaws to tractors. That was helpful.
If you want to live in the country for a garden? for animals? Understand the cost of fencing, feed and time. It's all about what your goals are. Starting a small farm or purchasing one with existing fencing is ideal. Our goat barn, fence and goats cost around $2000.
It's good to look at an area during the winter time. You'll get a better view of neighbors then. :) Piles of junk, trash and such is more visible without leaves on things.
Guns are a part of country living. Your neighbors might do target practice. You will hear them. Since I heard gunshots often in Phoenix, it doesn't bother me to hear them here. Lots of people hunt around us, but we don't let them on our land. Liability and we have a lot of critters. Goats, chickens, dogs and kids. I have a 22 rifle, it's all I need. From potential coyotes, pack of feral dogs or something else knowing how to use a gun is a good skill. We did have a few stray dogs and cats causing issues. Well place warning shots was all that was needed.
What surprised us the most was the cost of everything. We didn't move out here with a large sum of money or tons of equipment. We had to purchase everything; wood stove (house had no heat or air) riding a mower, gas weed eater, chainsaw (we heated with just wood the first two years).
We had to find jobs out here too...that's been difficult. We are changing our plans to primarily homesteading to creating a business plan for some products.
The fact that you are asking this questions, shows you are a critical thinker. You'll be fine, it'll be fun and sometimes frustrating. 💩
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Welcome to TGN @RachelWrites.
All of the above is good advise. My advise is to emphasise the importance of a couple of things already mentioned. I am one of the group that thinks the more rural the better.
Take all of the TGN courses as part of your research and preparation. They might help you to make some decisions in advance about livestock and gardens and focus your research on those areas.
If you are going to be in a remote location and are unfamiliar with firearms, take a course or go to a shooting range with someone experienced. Learn how to become comfortable with a variety of firearms. Depending on where you choose to go and the type of livestock (or pets) that you may have, you may have to defend them. If you are planning on being self-sufficient you may need to hunt or dispatch your livestock yourself. You want to be able to do that as humanely as possible.
Take a first aid course. The more advanced you can become in first aid, the better off you and your family will be. It is excellent for your piece of mind to have medical skills. Take a herbal first aid course and/or a wilderness first aid course and learn how to cope if you do not have equipment and medications with you. Make up a very good first aid kit as one of your first preparations. Take the courses first and then make up your own kit with the items that will be of most use to you and your families' particular needs. There is a free course in herbal medicine through the Southwest School of Botanical Medicine that several of us are taking part in right now. We have formed a loose study group for it. https://community.thegrownetwork.com/discussion/844249/free-huge-and-comprehensive-herbal-medicine-course#latest
Being out of town, you will need to stockpile more things. You can't just run to the corner store for a quart of milk or roll of TP. You won't shop as often so will need more money to shop when you do go to town. You will need to learn to make lists. Write everything down on a list cause you don't want to get home and discover that you have forgotten one of the most important things you went to town for.
Oh, one other thing that hasn't been mentioned. Buy a truck. Preferably 4 wheel drive if you are in any area that sees a lot of snow or extreme weather conditions. Keep spare fuel at home. And get an AAA membership!
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Thanks for the thoughtful responses everyone! I really appreciate it! Good advice.
@LaurieLovesLearning I am trying to get specific with the plan, but it’s still a “dream” at this point. I’m just trying to speed up the process while still being sensible. I tend to move slowly on decisions in general so actually posting about my intentions is helpful in itself.
@Mary Linda Bittle Love the advice about one thing at a time. I think I will drill down on earning, gardening, and shooting even before I do the moving. (@MelissaLynne 👍)
Such good stuff everyone! I’m writing from my phone right now so I’m keeping it short, but I will update you if I have milestones on this! Hopefully this thread can be helpful to others too. And I’m sure I’ll be back with more questions.
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RachelWrites I am leaving a link to a podcast that I think would help you a lot. This lady has a great podcast but what I think would help you is the series she just started doing with her sister who also just moved to the country! I am going to leave the links to the episodes in the series, which just started by the way!
#1-
#2-
HOPE THIS HELPS!
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Are you looking to go full rural or just away from a big city such as a smaller city or suburb?
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@COWLOVINGIRL thanks! Will check those out!
@stephanie447 full time rural I think, as I already live at the edge of suburbs bordering foothills, but it doesn’t seem like enough nature immersion. I could possibly settle for outskirts with zoning permitting animals, as I don’t have that option now, but really looking for open spaces.
Goals: more nature and feeling of space and away from hectic pace of life. Working more for survival than for money and doing more hands-on work instead of in an office or online. That’s the dream anyway. I know it’s still a lot of work.
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While waiting for my son's swimming lessons to finish one day, I was told a story by a friend who lives in what I thought was an idyllic place to raise a family - a country neighborhood (everyone has about 5-10 acres). To make a long story short, my friend's children were accosted by their next door neighbor because they crossed in front of the neighbor's tree (on the property line) to catch the bus. My number one rule is to always find out who the neighbors are before you buy. Introduce yourself to them and have a chat or two, so you don't make the mistake of moving in next to someone who counts the blades of grass in his yard.
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Thank you for all the solid advice from the community to a great question. I've been homesteading for 25+ years - just reading these suggestions helped to remind myself about priorities. I've made plenty of mistakes - I like experimenting. Mistakes are okay, if #1 you can afford them, and #2 you learn from them. One sure thing is no one will value the effort and cost you put into making food, preserves or raising livestock. If you are going to sell products to support yourself, price them accordingly. If you sell 5 items at a respectable price you can make a business, if you sell 10 items at a cut throat rate - you will go out of business. No one should work for free. That's my tip of the day - been there, done that. :)
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@RachelWrites , you are my idol! I live in a big city (NY! - can't get too much bigger than that!), and I would love to say goodnight to it. I just don't have the guts...or maybe I just haven't reached my tolerance level - which we all have! My advice to you: be proud that you are taking the plunge. I know many people who have done it and no one has regretted leaving. They just make a specific plan first - what is most important to them in their new location, i.e. temperature, space, living close but not too close to civilization, etc. Be kind to yourself - and meditate to get through it. There are really no wrong decisions. All actions are a stepping stone to where we ultimately belong. Good luck to you, and again, I'm proud...and a little envious you have the guts to do it!
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If you've never lived in a rural setting, I would suggest renting a place first. This way, you can decide if it's really for you. Don't sell your urban home. Rent it until you absolutely know you want to make the leap.
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So much good advice here! Learning to grow things, to shoot, to be self-sufficient medically are all important. I would also learn some handyman skills, invest in a few good books, make sure to keep healthy (can't do this thing well if you are ill), and then try it out as @ieducate2008 says. Maybe for holidays or something, just to see if it will work for you.
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We are considering doing this as well. It’s new territory for me and my husband because we've always lived in a big city but I dream of a homestead somewhere . Were not Starting as young as we probably should have but love the encouragement found here❤️
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Consider whether you might prefer a small town instead of going all-out rural. You can get many of the standard city services (water, septic, fast Internet, trash collection, nearby stores) that you are used to having in a small town, but get away from many of the problems of the big city.
Definitely check out the laws of the small towns you consider. Some will be very loose about permits, keeping laying hens in the back yard, and generally let you do what you want. Others will harass you for not conforming to the standard suburban lifestyle. But by and large, small towns tend to be more relaxed about rules than cities are.
Going deep rural will be a very big change for you if you decide to go that route. Be cautious and take your time planning and deciding.
I grew up rural. My parents owned a home on acreage with well water, a backyard septic tank, a big garden, and a wood stove in the living room. But now my husband and I live on acreage on the edge of a small town. We own more land than my parents did, have a woodstove in the basement den, town water, town septic, garden beds in the front yard with no problems, trash and recycling pick-up, would even be allowed to have chickens if we wanted. Yet a major grocery store is only 10 minutes away by car; for my parents rural home, the grocery store was a 20-minute drive each way.
We have a very nice balance at our home.
That's one other to think about. Rural culture is car-centric. Everybody drives everywhere because of the longer distances. If you've lived in the city, you may be used to walking to stores. You would need to adjust.
Best of luck whatever you decide!
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