There are few things as liberating as a move to the countryside. The hustle and bustle of a busy city life can be stressful and often tiring. Returning home from work on a crowded late-night train, walking up several flights of stairs to reach your apartment, and being woken up by noisy neighbors at 5 a.m. in the morning is the typical routine for a city family. There are, of course, some pockets of tranquillity within the busy and noisy confines of a city. However, they’re often surrounded by skyscrapers that block out the sun and they’re swarmed by cars that are rushing to get to their destinations.

The city life is fast paced, noisy and stuffy. But despite all of the negative aspects of life we encounter in a city, we still live in them due to their convenience and familiarity. Many people that live in cities fantasize about moving to the country, and they occasionally dabble in their dreams by taking weekend breaks to stay in a country cottage or house that’s as far as possible from civilization. Although we love the serenity and natural attractions, we often tell ourselves that it’s something we can do for a holiday, but not for a long period of time.

Let’s face it, as much as we love the country it’s very hard to see ourselves living in harmony with nature for an extended period of time. We’re too used to fast food, quick deliveries, convenient supermarkets and public transport. Without these things, it can feel difficult trying to move around and do your daily tasks. However, if there are people happily living in the countryside with stable jobs and relaxing lifestyles, then why isn’t it possible for you?

Things to consider before a move

It’s important to mention that before you consider the following points about moving to the countryside, that you first consult your family about your decision. You can’t just expect to move and retain your job and for your children to enjoy moving away from the friends they’ve made at school. Even if you don’t have children yet or they’re too young to go school, you have to consider their education. Not every school in the countryside can match the quality of some city schools, and in some cases, your children might have to travel via train to reach school. If you prefer your children to go to a school in the city, they might have to stay there (such as a relative’s home or a rental apartment) and only move back home on the weekends when they have time off.

Regarding jobs, there isn’t much choice when it comes to the countryside. Besides farming and working at local stores, there’s not much career choice unless the location you pick has a factory or office nearby. In most cases, if you want to retain your job then you’ll need to commute long distances to get to work depending on how far your home is. However, there is always the option of starting an internet business such as a blog or freelancing if you have a skill such as writing or design. Almost any job that can be done at home is a great way to make money when there aren’t many job opportunities near you. Like with children going to school, you might find it easier to rent an apartment or live with a relative for the days that you go to work.

You will also need to consider where to move. RMA Brokers tend to have a great selection of ranches that are luxurious, comfortable and often stylish depending on the location. Ranches also come with large plots of land so you can practice gardening, farming or even raising animals. Thanks to their large size, they’re great for recreational activities or even building up extensions and other buildings—you can turn large plots of land into personal playgrounds. With all that being said, here are some of the reasons on how a countryside move could benefit you and your family, and we’ll also be addressing some fears that you may have.

The countryside can be just as convenient as the city

The countryside presents many challenges that aren’t in city life. For example, with the abundance of public transportation in a city it can feel like we don’t even need to own a vehicle to get where we want to. We could just take a bus, walk short distances to a store or take a train for longer distances. In the countryside, however, buses are often non-existent, stores are too far away to travel to on foot and trains usually only take you to and from the nearest major cities.

But thanks to the lack of cars, the countryside is the perfect place for inexperienced drivers that don’t want to be criticized by angry motorists. Travelling via bicycle, scooter or motorbike can be refreshing and safe without hundreds of cars to compete with on the roads. Once you get used to walking, a 20-minute stroll to the store and back isn’t so farfetched because of the wonderful fresh air you can soak in and the beautiful sights. In addition, you don’t have to worry about safety problems such as cars or thieves because the countryside is generally a serene and peaceful environment.

Being in tune with nature is uplifting

In the city, the only nature we get to see on a regular basis is most likely that of a park or garden. With the increased amount of natural life and reduced air and noise pollution, the air in the countryside is far cleaner and more refreshing to breathe in when compared to the city. With fresh air filling your lungs, you’ll find it much more uplifting to be outside. Completing daily chores around the house will be more soothing. You’ll find yourself looking forward to a relaxing afternoon stroll with your children after dinner to let your food settle and to take in some fresh air.

Not only is the air more healthy, but thanks to how easy it is to move around the country on humble transports such as a bike or scooter, it will empower your sense of adventure and even your children will be able to join you on your trips into the wilderness. You could buy some camping equipment, hike into the forest or explore large green landscapes and have a weekend camping out. With you and your family huddled around a campfire telling stories and melting marshmallows over a fire, you’re guaranteed to get some quality time together surrounded by natural beauty.

Integrating with the local community is fun and rewarding

Countryside communities are often very inviting and friendly. People are usually suspicious about new families that move into the village, but after your initial meeting, you’ll find that they’re very friendly, approachable and knowledgeable. You’ll meet them when you head into the local village for a drink, when you go shopping or even when you’re taking a stroll around town. Thanks to the tight-knit community, you’ll find yourself interacting with people on a regular basis which tightens your bond and creates long-lasting friendships.

The plus side to these friendships is that you’ll find yourself with an abundance of help. Need someone to help you replace your tires? No problem, there’s probably a friendly mechanic in town. Do you need help with a home improvement? Your next-door neighbor has your back. Want some fresh milk for your morning cereal? There’s probably a farmer somewhere milking a cow as the sun comes up. Everyone does their part for the good of the village, so you’re always going to run into helpful and friendly people. Not only will you make friends and meet helpful people, but your children will also gain benefits from interacting with friendly kids that live in the village, and you’ll never struggle to find a babysitter with so many helpful families around you.

Unlimited possibilities for recreation and productivity

Fancy a spot of farming to grow fresh fruits and vegetables to cook or even sell? Then why not start a farm with the land you obtain from buying a country property? Farming can be a fun but tiring job. However, it’s a fun and productivity hobby to have that will get you delicious results and you’ll always have nearby farmers to give you advice on how to start a backyard farm. You could also upgrade from farming and look after animals such as chickens. There’s nothing quite like waking up and strolling into your chicken coop to pick up some eggs for breakfast!

For recreation, the only limit is your imagination. In addition to eye-opening camping trips, you could ride motorbikes around the countryside or even create a motorsport or bike trail to ride in, you could fly kites in the large open fields, or even practice shooting if you have a gun license. With so much space available in the country, it’s up to you on how to utilize it for your hobbies.

Summary

Moving to the countryside is a lifestyle choice. However, you’ll bond with nature, the locals and even strengthen your family bond. There are countless activities and productive hobbies to be had in the country, and the fresh air is something that you’d never experience in the city. Once you have a taste of the country life and manage to adjust, you’ll never want to go back.