Many people find the great outdoors to be romantic, and so it’s no wonder that rural living is considered an appealing place to settle down after our work in the city or surrounding areas is said and done. This is why so many ‘escape to the countryside’ reality programmes gain such viewing figures, many of us have dreamed of living in our own solo cottage along a quaint road in a small but tight-knit community of well-meaning people. I know I wanted to live somewhere really remote but started to worry when it could have become a reality!
Yet, of course, it’s also true that if you begin to actualise these plans, that you know what you’re getting into. Rural life can be extremely rewarding and beautiful, but it also has trade offs in terms of convenience and the general day to day planning you might have to take part in. Some changes, like how dark it can get at night when light pollution isn’t around, can be quite hard to adapt to in the beginning, but you’ll get there. But what other necessities should you be aware of in order to keep yourself functioning well in a more remote living situation? Here are just 3 things to consider.
Rainwater & Septic Tanks
It’s important to remember that rural homes may not be connected to the municipal sewage system, which means that you need to implement a few solutions you can enact yourself. The best water tanks can help subsidise your water usage by making the most of rainwater for greywater applications like flushing the toilet. Septic tanks, on the other hand, can be installed in the ground or secured within a wood frame, and can be the secure storage element for sewage until you book regular collections. This might sound quite primitive, but many homes use this system and it’s both modern and practical to maintain.
Home Security
Home security works a little differently when you live in an area without so many people. The truth is that while being a little more remote can get you away from people, response times to your location can be slower, and so it’s important to be observational and ingratiate yourself with the local community so you can look after one another. Keep your belongings stored well, make sure to lock your doors at night, and use motion-sensitive flood lights to expose anyone trespassing on your property. A security system could provide peace of mind so why not check out a vivint price?
Logistical Planning & Scheduling
Not all rural environments are similar distances from the local town, and so this might mean you need to plan more readily. Perhaps the local post office is a relatively long distance away, meaning that planning your posting for certain days of the week should be part of your schedule. Perhaps you need to begin collecting your packages from a local drop off point instead of inspecting next-day delivery to your front door. Scheduling of this nature can help you ensure you’re not caught out by these logistical challenges, which you do adapt to over time.
With this in mind, we hope you can see how rural living may differ from the suburban experience, and what you may need to plan for.
