Rural life offers many advantages. You’re closer to nature, have more space to spread out and live, far from the constant noise pollution and hustle of city and suburban life. Nowhere’s perfect, though. If you live in remote or rural areas, you need to adjust your lifestyle to adapt to country life. Rural life requires you to be self-reliant and prepared for fewer services and amenities. You’ll find you need to prepare for the unexpected and emergencies, whether this means maintaining a fully stocked freezer, learning how to run a backup generator, or maintaining a reliable digital connection. Below are six tips for living in rural areas, to help you adjust to the slower, but sometimes challenging, pace of country life.
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Advice On Living In Rural Areas
1. Learn to be Self-Reliant
With services further away, you need to develop self-reliance. It takes longer to get an electrician out to repair a malfunctioning appliance, and services like snow plowing and trash removal may not be available. The nearest first responders may be in the closest town and have long response times, so you need to have a plan in place to deal with emergencies.
The successful rural resident becomes a jack-of-all-trades. Learning some fundamental electrical and mechanical skills, and knowing which neighbors can help solve problems goes a long way towards rural success.
2. Stock Up
Access to grocery stores and medical care is often limited in rural areas. Keeping a well-stocked pantry and first aid kit is essential when weather or other circumstances delay your shopping trips.
3. Drive a Dependable Vehicle
A dependable vehicle is essential for rural life, as public transportation is rarely available. Keep your vehicle well-maintained, and keep emergency supplies in your trunk.
4. Get to Know the Community
Rural communities are often friendly and tight-knit. Residents know one another well and are quick to lend each other support. Participate in local events to build connections and meet new neighbors. Lend a hand to your neighbors when they need it, and they’ll likely return the favor if you ever need help.
5. Start a New Hobby
Rural life’s quieter, slower pace provides an opportunity to learn new skills and develop new hobbies. Start a garden, go bird-watching, or ask a neighbor to teach you some practical skills for country living.
6. Sign up for a Reliable Internet Service
A reliable internet connection is essential if you’re living in rural areas. With a reliable connection, you can stay in touch with family and friends, check local message boards for event information, study, and stream music and movies.
Remote locations and a lack of infrastructure often limit rural internet options. Hughesnet® home satellite internet plans allow you to stay connected, no matter how remote your area, so you can live where you love and stay online.
