Did you know that more and more people, especially millennials, are leaving big cities for more rural parts of the United States? As the cost of living and other factors make cities more unlivable, it may be time to consider a change from city living to rural living.
Would you like to leave the city and move to the country for a quieter life? Here are some tips for getting started with rural living, and the benefits of raising your family away from the business and skyscrapers.
- More Affordable Housing
It is no secret that the farther away you get from urban areas, the cheaper the housing is. Housing is usually in higher demand in urban areas. However, many other factors actually make it far more affordable to live in a rural area.
For instance, you may be able to afford to buy a home if you move to the country, rather than renting. Paying a mortgage will help you to build equity and not throw away money every month to a landlord. You can find an online home affordability calculator that can determine whether or not a home is a fiscally-responsible option in a particular area.
If you want to buy a home rather than rent, you can apply for a mortgage or talk to an agent at your local bank for more information. Sometimes cash home buyers can get even better deals, especially on homes that are in foreclosure.
- Less Noise Pollution
One of the biggest drawbacks to city living is that there is constant noise all around you. Even if you have thick glass and soundproofing in your apartment or condo, you may still be able to hear your neighbors and passersby at all hours of the night.
When you move to the country, you will have less likelihood of hearing people and vehicles during the night. Many suburban neighborhoods are more family-oriented, so there is less nightlife and more of the same schedule for everyone who lives there.
- Bigger Homes
It goes without saying that if you want to live in the city, you will no doubt have to make some sacrifices when it comes to space. Often, bigger apartments and penthouses go for far higher prices and only offer a fraction of the size of a home you can get in the country.
A bigger home can be a huge plus if you want to start or grow your family. You are more likely to be able to afford a house that has enough bedrooms and space for all of your children.
- A Backyard or Lot
When you move to the country, you will have plenty of access to the greenery around you. Whether it is through a simple backyard that your children or pets can run around in or a large plot of land, you can have the space to do all kinds of outdoor activities.
There is so much that you can do with backyard space that will make rural living an easy choice. For example, try installing a playset for your children or a fire pit area where you can roast marshmallows. You can also plant as many flowers or trees as you would like.
- Less Traffic
Although urban areas are more convenient for accessing many types of goods and services, they are not always the best option if you use a car as your primary mode of transportation. Living in the city often means that parking is limited and roads leading in and around the area suffer from congestion.
If you live a quieter life in the country, you will not have to worry as much about traffic jams. You can still have access by car or foot to almost anything you need, without the hassle of sitting in traffic for hours on end.
- Tight-Knit Communities
In the city, you may be in close proximity to your neighbors, but you may not get to know them as well as you would like. In addition, many people who live in the city have careers and other priorities, such as visiting clubs, museums, or restaurants in their spare time.
A quieter life in the country has the benefit of really getting to know your neighbors and forming tight bonds with them. A closer community can allow you to forge lasting friendships and gain the trust of others in your neighborhood. You may even find neighbors who enjoy the same hobbies or interests as yourself.
- Lower Cost of Living
In general, you will find that country living means that you will not have to pay as much for basic expenses as you would for city life. In fact, the average savings of a move from the city to the country is around 8.6 percent.
If you have children in school, then you will notice that education expenses decrease sharply if you move to the country. Entertainment, apparel, and other material staples also tend to be much less expensive. You can splurge the money you save on a vacation every year, or simply put it into savings for a rainy day.
- See the Stars at Night
Many urban areas suffer from light pollution, which means that the smog and lights from the city block out any views of the stars. A huge benefit of country living is that with much less light pollution, you can get a great view of the constellations every single night.
A great family night can involve taking out blankets and some snacks to lay back and view the stars together. With less light pollution, you will probably see more creatures come out during the nighttime hours.
Leave the City Behind for Good
You should not have to live in the city to experience all of the benefits that life has to offer. If you leave the city, you can have a whole new host of benefits that will allow you to live much more peacefully.
Would you like to learn more about how to improve your life for the better? Check out our site for more tips and tricks on elevating every aspect of your life.