The challenges of rural living
While living in the countryside does present some advantages, it also has its own set of challenges you must be prepared to deal with. Before you decide to drop everything and move out of town, be aware of these five common issues rural homeowners face. (Related: Taking a closer look at what rural living is like.)
Extreme weather
When you're living in the city, people barely appreciate how much urban planning and city services protect them from the brunt of terrible weather. This is, unfortunately, not the case in rural areas. These are often located near wide, open fields, which may put you at risk of getting hit by a tornado. The lack of city-regulated snowplows means you must do the shoveling yourself to get to places on a bad snow day. You can also experience a higher risk of flooding. With all that said, it is important to do some research on the area you plan to move to so you can get a better understanding of the weather you may experience.
Long commutes
If you live in a rural area but work in the city, you will definitely have to deal with the long back and forth commutes each day. While others are fortunate enough to find careers in the town of their choosing, that is not the case for a lot of people. If driving isn't your thing, a rural area might not be the best place for you.
Rural plumbing
Having a proper sewage system is another thing people take for granted when living in the city. When you're out in a rural environment, you won't have access to the city's water supply and sewage system. This means getting your drinking water from underground wells connected to your house. In addition, you must have your own septic tank sewage system that requires constant maintenance to keep it working properly.
Older home systems
While you may find a few modernized homes here and there in a rural environment, most homes in the countryside have significantly older systems across the board. From electrical systems to even ventilation systems, many of these may be very old and may not work as efficiently as they once did. This can bring you additional costs to repair them or to replace them entirely.
Remodeling costs
Rural areas are often sparsely populated ,so newer builders don't really prioritize building brand new houses there like they do in suburban towns. The farther away you are from the city, the harder it is to find a newly built house for sale. While you may be able to get a fantastic deal by purchasing an older home, you need to factor in the costs of remodeling the older home before you make the purchase.
All in all, living in the countryside can be a life-changing experience for a lot of people – as long as you have a good understanding of the challenges you have to face. Learn more about rural living at Homesteading.news.
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