Cannot believe it has been two years.
Just try moving from a zero-lot-line house to 20 acres! Wow. We had a neighbor ask if we were happy out here and going to stay. It was a question that never entered our minds. We fell in love with the land, the house, and the lifestyle immediately. We have learned a lot and have a few quick tips if you are thinking of moving from the city to the country as we did.
Be Organized
Sure, it’s a 20-minute drive to the nearest small town and a Walmart. Organization is now a priority and in our pantry, we keep backup for everything. We make a menu for the week and stick to it. In the city, we would eat out at least 4 times a week. Now, if we eat out 1-2 times a month now, that is a lot.
Ready for Long Drives?
We live 40 minutes to the nearest large town that has a Sam’s Club and all the fun stores for Mrs. Chicken Poop. She says she doesn’t mind the drive. However, she only goes to the small town one week and the big town the next. We just really don’t want to leave the property more than once a week, if we don’t have to. That is the joy of running a home-based business.
Get Educated
I took a one-week class when we first moved out here. It was called Ranch Management University offered by the Texas A&M University. There were people from other states as well as other countries. That was some of the best money ever spent. I highly recommend you call your local county extension office to see what is offered near you if you are just starting.
The County Extension office is your best friend. Get to know them and use them. They are an invaluable resource. This link is the Texas site, but it will tell you about what an extension office is and does. You can google your county and state and get your local office information.
Join a Club
Find out if there are any local clubs to join. I joined a local Farm and Ranch club to meet people and they offer great speakers.
I also joined the local bee association about a year before I was ready to get bees. That way I had time to learn stuff! They offered a class where you end up with a hive and everything you need at the end. Perfect for newbies.
Be Committed
I built a chicken coop, have 3 hives, and I have rehabbed my pasture to a meadow. I had a great garden in town, but it is nothing compared to the space I have to grow out here. It’s been work and so much fun. We have built friendships here in two years that we never had in the city. We have learned a lot of tips to moving for the country and would never want to leave.
