7 Things to Think About Before Choosing the Country Life

How much convenience do you really need?

I rarely make New Year’s Resolutions. But, a little over 20 years ago, I kind of did. My husband, twin sons, and I were living comfortably in suburbia. Anything a person could possibly want was within a 20-minute drive of our house…and I do mean anything. Tiffany diamonds? 20 minutes. Luxury yacht? 20 minutes. Parks, miles of walking trails, the very freshest produce, great little cafes, boutiques – even closer.

What wasn’t close was natural, open space we could enjoy without a guided tour. My resolution that year was to move our family from the oh-so-comfortable suburbs to a more natural life in the country. I wanted my children to grow up watching geese fly south for the winter and north again as the weather warmed, and seeing thousands of stars at night. I wanted the natural world to be not a place they visited but the place they called home.

Six months later we moved to an island off the coast of British Columbia, between Vancouver and Victoria, and began settling in. A few years later we moved again, this time to 100+ acres in Western Washington that, in some ways is even more remote.  

Now, seeing bald eagles soar overhead while we’re having lunch in the summer is fairly common, and bundling up with blankets to watch meteor showers is still a treat. We’ve seen bear and cougar on our very long driveway, and a family of owls hoots most nights from nearby. We’re happy here.

Are you thinking of making a similar move?

Trading suburban life for country living well for my family and me, but  it wasn’t without hiccups, and it isn’t for everyone. Country life is, bluntly, inconvenient. 

7 Things to Consider Before Moving

Here’s a brief checklist of things to consider before making the move:

1.     How much human interaction do you really want? Living in the country can be extremely quiet, and it’s easy to go a week or longer without seeing anyone outside your family.

2.     Are you patient? Work – whether builders or repair personnel – often occurs on “island time” and may stop work for good weather (so they can go fishing) or bad weather (because they can’t get there).

3.     Are you – or can you become – moderately self-sufficient? You’ll need to fix many things yourself and, typically, handle your own yard work.

4.     Do you need cafes, shops, and nightlife? They’re nearby, but they may be different than you’re accustomed to.

5.     What degree of Internet access do you need? Starlink (a satellite Internet provider) is amazing, but isn’t yet comparable to the super-fast speeds you may have already.

6.     Does the area you’re considering have cell phone coverage? Seriously, many parts of the U.S. still lack cell reception, despite what the cell phone maps show. Check out your cell reception and signal strength in person before moving.

7.     How do you like to exercise? The gym may be several miles away, and outdoor sports may less available – or different – than you expect.

The country life can be frustrating at times – it’s anything but convenient – but it also can be immensely satisfying. Is it for you? Only you can decide.

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This is the first installment of Where the Asphalt Ends, a weekly newsletter exploring tips for transitioning from city life to country living. It is designed for people who are considering moving from the city or suburbs, or who have just moved.  In it, I’ll share stories and tips from my own experiences (with occasional insights from my husband and sons). I hope to elicit a smile or laugh, but, most importantly, help you consider country living with eyes wide open.

If you like what you’re reading, please subscribe. Where the Asphalt Ends is free for now, but it won’t be forever.