The First Timer’s Guide To Rural Living

There is actually a large part of the population pushing for a move to simpler, more rural living. Sure, there might be more to do in the big city and the suburbs might have been attractive at one point, but times have changed. Rural living is no longer about living “…in the sticks.” These areas have access to stellar school districts, grocery stores, internet service, and dependable mail delivery.

What more could a person want, right?

Of course, that’s an oversimplification. Still, rural living has taken off in the last few years, but it hasn’t been without its trials and tribulations. If you are considering a possible shift to rural living in the near future, there are a few things worth thinking about:

Isolation — While physical and geographical isolation are certainly worth thinking about, isolation from others is a real issue. Rural living can get a little lonely, so it does take a little more effort to get to know people.

Friendships, Neighbors and Relationships — However, many will find that folks in rural settings are quite friendly and welcoming, so long as you don’t try to “city-fy” their serene environment. With the right attitude, it can be easy to develop lasting friendships and even foster new romantic relationships should that be one’s station in life.

Access to Basic Services — While rural areas are certainly finding ways of offering more to residents, especially in the way of specialized services like medical facilities, there can be times when travel out of the area will be necessary.

Establishing New Routines — A new setting means finding new ways of operating. Rural living invites those looking to take in more of the world around them. A cup of coffee on the porch with your neighbor in the morning instead of a tour around your phone’s news apps is a good start.

Cost of Living — For a time, being out in a more rural setting made for a less expensive way to live. However, shifts in the national economy and overall shifts in populations out of the city have made for interesting changes. Research will be key to finding a rural area that works with one’s budget.

Maintaining Property — Depending on how far out you choose to live, maintenance of your property may take on a life of its own. For those who are only used to having a small lawn, no lawn, or are older and now retired, facing the prospect of tackling this type of maintenance is daunting.

Working — Overall figures in the last few years show that employment opportunities can be limited. Maintaining or seeking employment in rural areas can prove to be challenging. This means that allocating this income into one’s budget by default is not a wise decision.

Finally, some would argue that the first thing worth hammering out would be housing. However, much like everywhere else, finding available homes is incredibly difficult. As such, many have turned to new builds. But therein lies one other major quandary — finding the right contractor for the job.

Luckily, T. Locke Construction is here. We’ve been working with clients in Austin and the surrounding central Texas area for over two decades, building a reputation for delivering exactly what our clients want. Whether it’s fully custom homes or complete home remodels T. Locke Construction has you covered.

If you’re thinking about rural living in central Texas, let our team here at T. Locke Construction help.