Saturday 26 July 2014

Switching From City Life To Rural Life

By Cath Buhr


If you are ready to ditch city or suburban living for a more isolated spot in a rural area, you aren't alone. Many people are changing their lives and moving out to the country or to a smaller town in the hopes of transforming their lives. However, there are many realities of rural life that need to be considered carefully prior to the move.

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.

For many people, moving to a rural area means they wish to place more of an emphasis on self sufficiency. This might mean learning to garden and raising livestock or simply living with less. As much fun as it can be, this is an adjustment and you need to do some research before you begin. This is especially true if you wish to raise chickens or other animals. You definitely need to be ready to handle a variety of issues, so take some classes, read some books and be ready to learn from some of your mistakes. Also, be willing to go slowly. Begin by learning how to garden, and then perhaps add a few chickens, and then maybe learn how to raise another type of animal.

In the city, we have constant access to just about everything we could possibly want. This includes coffee shops, bars, restaurants, shopping and even internet service. While your small town probably will have some good businesses, cafes and grocery stores, they won't be open at all hours of the day and night. You need to have plenty of supplies on hand, and you need to learn to live without all of the distractions of city life. It is a quieter way of life, and it really does take time to get used to the differences.

Often you will be living too far away to tap into city water, sewer and natural gas lines. If this is the case, it can be wise to research alternative sources for these items. For instance, septic tanks can help you deal with waste, and a well or ground-water containment system can ensure you have enough clean water. When it comes to the energy you need for your heater, water heater, stove and dryer, you definitely should consider checking out propane.

For a house that doesn't have a tank already installed, you simply contact a local propane company and ask about installation. You can either lease a tank or you can buy one, and you should look for a company that offers a 10-year warranty on the tank. You also need to find a company that allows you to pre-buy propane during times when the price per gallon is at its lowest. HD-5 propane is the type of propane you will want to purchase as it is the top quality available. At Thrifty Propane, you can buy all the HD-5 propane you need, and they offer Ohio propane delivery, Delaware propane delivery, Indiana propane delivery, Michigan propane delivery, West Virginia propane delivery, New Jersey propane delivery and delivery to several other states.




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