Since the COVID-19 pandemic, large numbers of people have started moving to the countryside. A lot of apartment-dwellers were stuck indoors with no access to nature for months at a time during the pandemic’s peak. While the pandemic is now over, many leading scientists and academics are saying that more will come in the future. People who were unable to get outside and enjoy nature then, in preparation for future viral outbreaks, are heading out to more rural areas to start new lives for themselves.
If you are moving to the countryside for this reason (or for any reason), then here’s how you can get the most out of it.
Building Barndominium
Barndominiums are open-plan barn conversions, usually made out of metal. If you have purchased land in the countryside and were intending on building your own house, then why not just build a barndominium? At the moment, they are one of the most popular country home designs, because they afford people living in them a lot of space, not to mention they are very sustainable. The best part about barndominiums is that it’s possible to buy a ready-to-assemble kit online, and then begin putting your barndominium together yourself. You might not even need the help or supervision of a construction team if you buy a small barn. For much larger barns, however, you probably will need a professional’s help.
Very Rural Areas
If you plan on moving to the countryside, then why not move to an extremely rural area? A lot of people when moving out of cities try to stay as close to them as they possibly can. You can’t fully experience the countryside until you get as far away from cities and large towns as is possible. The United States is a very big country, with a lot of areas of vast countryside. Before planning your move, do your research and if it’s possible to do so, then find somewhere that’s quiet, isolated, and that will allow you to live off the grid.
Transportation Links
However, just because you’re moving to somewhere that’s very rural, that’s not to say that you shouldn’t still find somewhere with good transport links. Buses, train services, and even local airports are all things to look for. The reason that transport links are important is because they will give you the opportunity to still get around if your car breaks down. In very rural areas, taxis aren’t as common, so public transport is your only other option. You can usually find out about an area’s transport links by reaching out to the nearest town’s council.
Interesting Cultures
As mentioned previously, the United States is a very big country. As you would typically expect from a country the size of the U.S, you can find some very interesting cultures spread through the nation’s more rural areas. For example, in the Louisiana area you can find Cajun culture. Texas, California, and Utah all have their own interesting and unique cultures too, as do all of America’s states. If there is a particular rural culture that interests you most, then why not move there? You can then assimilate into that culture and area and become one of the locals.
Restoring Old Houses
Many of America’s more rural areas were abandoned in the last century because people moved to big cities to find work. Because of this, there are a lot of very old, derelict houses scattered all throughout the countryside. Many of these houses are purchasable for next to nothing. If you have a little bit of money and some time on your hands, then why not buy and restore an old house? Buying and restoring an old house will give you an exciting, rewarding project to complete. Additionally, it will also give you a chance to get intimately acquainted with the house that you plan on making your home.
Agricultural Work
Finally, if you want a unique experience in the countryside, then why don’t you find agricultural work? Agricultural work can be very rewarding, especially for people who have lived in cities their entire lives. A lot of people are moving to the countryside and starting their own farms, also. If you are able to buy a lot of land, then you could consider doing this too. You should be aware, however, that agricultural work is not easy. You will need to be motivated, committed, and dedicated. You will also need to do a lot of research so that you know what you are doing.
Life in the countryside is very rewarding. The countryside gives you the opportunity to live in ways that are impossible in a city. You can own a lot of land, build your own house, raise animals, and even start farming fruit and vegetables in your back garden.
