More and more young families are moving out of town to embrace the fresh and invigorating air of suburbia. Waking up to the sounds of neighbors mowing their lawns and whacking their weeds instead of angry car horns in gridlock traffic can be a compelling lifestyle change for anyone who’s been living the city life. From rush hour stress to urban smog and pollution, it’s easy to understand why more and more Millennials are opting for safer, cheaper suburban streets, especially if starting a family is on the horizon.
However, the romantic image of moving to a rural area is not entirely without concern. There are many things that, as a city dweller, you may not have experienced before and may not expect with your move. Here are the top 4 differences between city and country life.
However, the romantic image of moving to a rural area is not entirely without concern. There are many things that, as a city dweller, you may not have experienced before and may not expect with your move. Here are the top 4 differences between city and country life.
4 Unexpected Changes Of Suburban Living
Your Home May Not Be Energy EfficientIf you opt to move to the countryside and find yourself in a centuries-old farmhouse, 1--lucky you and 2--your new home may not be very energy efficient. Older homes tend not to be as insulated as newer builds, and therefore you'll find yourself cranking up the heat in the winter, and the a/c in the summer--more so than you may have in a stylish city pad. Consider purchasing a programmable thermostat--and in colder months keep your home around 60 degrees F during the hours you are away. Most older homes have ceiling fans, so be sure to change your fan's settings to the appropriate season (clockwise for winter, counterclockwise for summer).
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Pests Are Your New PetsOk, ok, not really. But if you’re the kind of person who jumps out of their skin at the sight of creepy crawlies, brace yourself. Your new rural home is more than likely to include it's fair share of critters like raccoons, opossums and field mice (which are kinda cute, to be honest). Fact is, you'll probably have to deal with insects you're not used to seeing in the city, too, like hornets, wasps and yellow jackets. One piece of advice to any new homeowner: Always keep the contact details of a specialist like 000 Pest Control on hand. It's best to leave the more complicated and dangerous pest control up to the professionals.
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Plan To Drive A Whole Lot MoreGoodbye days of relying on bus and subway convenience, hello all wheel drive! Fact: You can’t live in the suburbs without reliable transportation. And depending on where you live might determine the type of vehicle you'll need. Country living might mean a heavy duty pick up. Backwoods and snowy climates could call for an SUV. Great climate but lots of kids? Time for a minivan! And yes, we know that Uber and Lyft are available in suburbia, but just how often are you willing to Uber into town and back for groceries, medical appointments and that late night Dunkin run?
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Won't You Be My Neighbor?Unless you've truly sequestered yourself to the high country, you're going to have neighbors--and in some cases, lots of them. Unlike city life, where you may have waved off that guy in 4C or smiled at the kindly woman from 7A, this time you'll actually have to speak to your neighbors. Rest assured that in a rural community, trustworthy behaviors in neighbors are more common than in cities. According to the PEW Research Center, on average 40% of rural residents know and 61% trust their neighbors, whereas only 24% urban residents know their neighbors. Get to know your neighbors to your immediate left and right, they could be fantastic pet sitters should you need one!
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Are you ready for a rural lifestyle? Before you quit your city dwelling, you need to make sure you understand how much your life will change by moving to suburbia. Of course, the environment will be different, and the pace of life is slower. But it’s the little details that make all the difference!
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