Changing to a New Lifestyle: the Little Things Do Add Up

By James Lewis, Ed Glade, and Greg Gustafson.

Many people in urban areas have contemplated relocating to a relatively more rural environment. In fact, since 1970 the nonmetropolitan population has increased by about 6.6 percent compared to 4.1 percent for metropolitan areas.

The transition from an urban life to a rural environment can be a most rewarding and personally satisfying experience. It offers opportunities and relationships not readily available in the urban setting. However, along with all the benefits go certain responsibilities and adjustments which should be understood and carefully considered.

For many persons thinking of relocating "back to nature", these considerations are only of minor concern and may actually be part of their preconceived desires. To others, however, the necessary adjustments and occasional disappointments may be more than they bargained for. Nevertheless, an awareness and careful thought about all aspects of rural life will greatly enhance the chances of a successful transition.

This chapter is intended to point out some of the transitions in lifestyles which should be anticipated. Often we discount the personal importance of living adjustments due to the excitement and anticipation of changes.

For most people moving to rural areas the adjustments are welcome changes, but some have found the transition too much of a sacrifice. A number of people have become disgruntled, viewed the initial decision to move as a big mistake, sold their error at a loss, and moved back to an environment similar to the one they left for the rural area. This is partly because there are certain amenities in everyone's life style that don't appear to be very important until they are given up.

Perhaps this is nitpicking about a lot of little things but the little things do count and when everything about advantages and disadvantages to living on a few acres are added up, those little things can make the difference in whether or not you are satisfied and happy with rural living. The problem is that we seldom take the time to sit down and consciously evaluate the things that make us happy and the value of things we must either give up or put up with in a different environment before a change is made.

Many of the activities which are part of the urban community are not as accessible or abundant in rural areas. There are fewer choices available in rural areas for theaters, restaurants, bowling alleys, shopping centers, grocery stores, repair shops, physicians, medical facilities, etc. Some people get a great deal of satisfaction out of shopping and comparing from one store to another. In many rural areas these choices are limited. The time and distance traveled to get places where these services are available is greater in rural areas. Fast food and all night drug stores with selected grocery items are conveniences in urban areas but are unlikely to be available in rural communities.

Radio and television signal reception may be relatively poorer in rural areas due to greater distances from the stations. An annoyance though a minor one, could be fewer stations with programs to your liking. Private telephone lines may not be available.

Public services such as police, fire protection, water, sewer, road maintenance, and garbage collection are not as abundant or accessible in rural areas. Many of these services are expected and readily available in urban areas but in rural living some become your responsibility. Garbage and trash disposal are good examples of something you must take the time to resolve.

Some Make Mistakes

There are examples of where a vacation or weekend place is acquired and then at some later date the decision to make it a permanent residence is made. When you first buy the place it is a delight to visit. Indeed there may be an abundance of things to do in the little time you have to spend on those long weekends and vacations. But you also find time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the peaceful serenity of your few acres and the sweet country air.

Upon making the place a permanent residence you may find yourself catching up on all the improvements and renovations that were planned. The lifestyle in general is at a slower pace than in urban areas. What once appeared to be peace and tranquility can become boredom and dissatisfaction for some people. This is not to imply that there is nothing to do in the rural area, but that the things there are to do may not be particularly satisfying for some on a routine basis.

Caring for livestock, for example, is a reasonably minor chore in good weather. When the cold hard winter comes and Pipes freeze and burst and you have to go chop ice so the livestock can get water twice a day regardless of wind, rain, sleet or snow, all those fun things become a job. It's a good job if you like it. But if you're not sure, find out and seriously think about it before you get involved.

Spinning wool supplied by your own sheep can be one of the satisfactions of a country lifestyle.

Other important considerations that can make a difference in how happy you are on your few acres include the availability of off-farm employment opportunities, neighbors, friends, playmates for children, and the family's consent on making the change. There will be fewer neighbors, friends will be farther away as will be playmates for children. One unhappy member of the family can make all the rest uncertain about the new lifestyle. Getting back and forth to social, civic, and athletic activities will require planning, coordination, time, and sacrifice by some of the family members.