I made that switch three years ago and it's quite an adjustment. Lots to love about it though, and it's wonderful to be in nature all the time. Lots of work.
I love it when folks are real about the challenges. Thank you! There's no silver bullet. Homesteading/rural life can be a ton of work. We're already working on so many projects, we'd like to do it away from the traffic and all the rules.
I like the concept "Pick your hard". The expenses in the suburbs can be hard. The work in a rural zone can be hard. Things will just be hard, so we pick the one that works for us.
Some things that could make it a little less hard are a commitment to permaculture -- eventually, it's a lot of work at first and then becomes easier. Also the idea of others who want to share the lifestyle. I love a sense of community.
I'd like to share a post I wrote with you, since this is something I'd love to see on our property. Unfortunately, my family doesn't share this vision.
This is such a huge sacrifice. Applaud this move since its more sustainable in all aspects of your life. Being a suburban raised kid myself, I too have seen the sacrifices one gives to live this lifestyle. It's jarring to see others feeling the same way. Personally speaking, I would love to do this for myself, but transition to a farm based life instead. Keeping in mind the self sustaining factors by starting small and compact and then growing it slowly.
We are going on 3 years now on a 10 acre homestead. It was a wild set of circumstances that led us here. Our landlord sold our rental and gave us a very short amount of time to relocate; So we thought what the heck we've always wanted to be out in the country let's try our luck. It's been full of challenges from all the equipment we needed to own. A tractor, implements, chainsaw, mower etc. Too taking care of all our critters. I can only offer one piece of advice don't go all into everything all at once, it can be easy to burn out and walk away from the lifestyle. I see so many homesteaders think they need chickens, goats, pigs, cows etc. Besides that we love the lifestyle. The best part is the reduction in mental load. No long work commutes and no hurry! Best of luck on your new journey!
Thank you Jesse! Love hearing your backstory here. Not doing everything at once is truly key - I agree 100%. We've learned that over the last 4 years homesteading in the suburbs.
We're actually going to have less chickens, pigs, and gardens once we leave the suburbs for a while XD We're moving rural and downsizing everything but land.
We've been homesteading here in the Suburbs on our 2 acres home, and then on a 7 acre lot at the edge of the county, and on a 1/4 downtown lot with our big garden. It all works, it's just spread out.
It's been a blast having the chickens, pigs, gardens, etc. But the taxes are expensive, the traffic is bad, we'd rather have one big property, and we're ready to live rural, RV around for a while and then expand the homestead again (we're thinking goats!)
I made that switch three years ago and it's quite an adjustment. Lots to love about it though, and it's wonderful to be in nature all the time. Lots of work.
I love it when folks are real about the challenges. Thank you! There's no silver bullet. Homesteading/rural life can be a ton of work. We're already working on so many projects, we'd like to do it away from the traffic and all the rules.
I like the concept "Pick your hard". The expenses in the suburbs can be hard. The work in a rural zone can be hard. Things will just be hard, so we pick the one that works for us.
Hi Kemble, I get it.
Some things that could make it a little less hard are a commitment to permaculture -- eventually, it's a lot of work at first and then becomes easier. Also the idea of others who want to share the lifestyle. I love a sense of community.
I'd like to share a post I wrote with you, since this is something I'd love to see on our property. Unfortunately, my family doesn't share this vision.
I know: it's pretty out there.
https://ideasbigandwild.substack.com/p/a-new-dream-of-home?utm_source=profile&utm_medium=reader2
Thanks for sharing Diana! I'll read this!
This is such a huge sacrifice. Applaud this move since its more sustainable in all aspects of your life. Being a suburban raised kid myself, I too have seen the sacrifices one gives to live this lifestyle. It's jarring to see others feeling the same way. Personally speaking, I would love to do this for myself, but transition to a farm based life instead. Keeping in mind the self sustaining factors by starting small and compact and then growing it slowly.
We are going on 3 years now on a 10 acre homestead. It was a wild set of circumstances that led us here. Our landlord sold our rental and gave us a very short amount of time to relocate; So we thought what the heck we've always wanted to be out in the country let's try our luck. It's been full of challenges from all the equipment we needed to own. A tractor, implements, chainsaw, mower etc. Too taking care of all our critters. I can only offer one piece of advice don't go all into everything all at once, it can be easy to burn out and walk away from the lifestyle. I see so many homesteaders think they need chickens, goats, pigs, cows etc. Besides that we love the lifestyle. The best part is the reduction in mental load. No long work commutes and no hurry! Best of luck on your new journey!
Thank you Jesse! Love hearing your backstory here. Not doing everything at once is truly key - I agree 100%. We've learned that over the last 4 years homesteading in the suburbs.
We're actually going to have less chickens, pigs, and gardens once we leave the suburbs for a while XD We're moving rural and downsizing everything but land.
We've been homesteading here in the Suburbs on our 2 acres home, and then on a 7 acre lot at the edge of the county, and on a 1/4 downtown lot with our big garden. It all works, it's just spread out.
It's been a blast having the chickens, pigs, gardens, etc. But the taxes are expensive, the traffic is bad, we'd rather have one big property, and we're ready to live rural, RV around for a while and then expand the homestead again (we're thinking goats!)