As I was saying in my last post, Living In Rural America -- The Year-Round Chores, whether your property is big or small, owning property in rural areas come with continuous year-round chores. It's just a fact of life in the country. The key is keeping one step ahead of the seasons. Of course, the benefits are worth the work.
The slower daily pace is what a lot of people look for when moving to the country. While too many folks have the tendency to fall in love with the country, and move there just to try to turn it into the city they left behind, those people never really appreciate what they have around them. And sadly, those folks are usually bad neighbors, not respectful of others or the privacy and property rights of others, drive in a hurry as if they never left commuter traffic in a major urban area, and fail to assimilate. They prove that some folks aren't meant to live in the country.
If people who move here are smart enough to embrace it, then the benefits are huge. Along with the quiet surroundings, they too might find that they too can possibly live with less stress, have better sleep quality, experience less agitation, and gain a sense of American freedom lost on so many urban Americans.
Maybe it's the lack of urban congestion and the bumper to bumper traffic that helps eliminate the sorry attitudes. Maybe it's the frankness, honesty, and basic moral compass that most folks in rural American have that stops fakeness. Maybe it's just the fresh air that stops most folks in the country from seeming lost and unmotivated to do things. Maybe it's just life out here? But whatever it is, rural America is good for what ails people.
What proof? It's easy to find. Whether it's walking trails, hiking, taking a drive out to a lake, going fishing, camping, hunting, canoeing, saddling up a horse and doing some trail riding, reaping the benefits of living in rural America is what life out here is all about. Besides the freedom, rural Americans usually have a different outlook on life in general. That in itself usually means we live longer less stressful lives.
Everyday life living in the country is focused on what you want and need to do, instead of focused on the demands of the rush-rush-rush lifestyle of the city. That translates to a lower-stress rhythm to life for us. It also translates to us having a stronger sense of community.
Most folks will tell you what research confirms, rural Americans generally report a stronger sense of community, deeper local ties, and a stronger sense of American Patriotism than the people who live in urban and suburban areas. Because populations are more geographically spread out and institutions are often further away, the age-old American tradition of helping each other is alive and well in rural America.
Because of our smaller populations, I think most rural areas have pretty tight-knit communities who are there for each other. I know people who live in the city who have never met their neighbors, or have no idea who their neighbors are.
While people in rural Americans are a lot more independent and respect our neighbor's privacy, there are close bonds that form. My neighbors are all more than 100 yards away from my house, but they can call me anytime if they need help in some way. And yes, there usually is a dependable support network of friends that are built.
We are there for each other. Add to that more social interaction at church, at community functions, to support local kids' softball, and more, and you'll find that rural Americans know their neighbors and will help each other.
In some cases, it's a necessity born out of geographic distance. But really, it's old school America. We're friends and we're there for each other. Do we go to the same church? Many of us do. Do we go to the same community events, such as picnics, festivals, and community meeting? Most of us do. Do we support local businesses, especially since we probably know the owners? Yes, most of us go out of our way to do that.
In places like Calaveras County, where access to specialized medical care or hospitals can be a significant drive away, aging-in-place frequently relies on neighbors checking in, helping with firewood, and providing transportation. As for help during disasters such as floods, wildfires, snow storms, rural communities bond together to help in whatever way we can. From clearing roads, to share horse trailers and tractors, to housing displaced families, to putting up animals that may have otherwise perished in a fire, rural Americans step up when needed.
There is a reason that rural areas usually have less crime, rural Americans, even in rural California, are usually armed and willing to protect their property and their neighbors if needed. While rural areas generally have lower crime rates, and that in itself offers some peace of mind, I would help a neighbor if a neighbor called me. And frankly, I know for a fact that my neighbors would do the same for me.
Most of us would. It's called citizen involvement. And really, rural Americans are more involved with issues than folks in the cities. Most of us are involved with small local businesses and community organizations which act as social hubs. They help drive participation and rally support for folks who need help. And yes, I've seen huge gatherings take place to raise funds to support children in need of medical services, for families who lost everything in fires, and other local causes like raising money to keep open an elementary school.
For us, it's not unusual to talk to others over concerns about county planning, traffic reduction, new business creation, our homes, our property rights, our security, concerned about trespassers coming up from the cities, concerns about the possible increase in crime and possibly drugs coming up from the cities. It's not unusual for folks here to be concerned about the possibility of problems of the cities spilling over into where we live. Most of us are, and we are involved.
As for us not living expensive lifestyles? Most will find that on the overall, there are less living expenses to be had when living in the country. Sure, there are everyday costs no matter where you live, including property taxes and auto insurance, but the fact is that it's usually lower in rural areas of the country. Other than the fact that fire insurance has gone up, the price of gas is usually the same or lower than in the urban areas.
As for the nearest grocery shopping, it's not close by or right around the corner out here. In fact, from where my wife and I live, our large grocery stores, and the nearest Walmart department store and Lowe's are all in Jackson, which is about a half hour away. So yes, there is the increase use of gas and it's cost that someone needs to be concerned with when living out here. But even at that, if we compare apples with apples, then I remember back in the late 1990s having to take almost 45 minutes to drive 9 miles in heavy traffic.
That was when I was living in Pleasanton and would drive to Livermore to where I boarded my horse. The traffic was horrible all the time and not just during rush hour.
Here, while the town of Jackson is is approximately 17 miles, it takes me about 25 minutes to get there. And really, I don't use as much gas nowadays as I did back when I lived in an urban area and sat at a dead stop in heavy traffic. So to be honest, I actually use less gas now than I did then even though conveniences like large grocery stores are farther away.
Some may find that hard to understand, but then again, they may own one of the newer cars that turn themselves off when at a standstill. It seems they were built for sitting in heavy traffic on freeways that look like miles and miles of parking lot. They were probably designed to turn off the engine to help with fuel consumption in urban areas.
I love being a free American able to fend for myself. I don't like the idea of the government, no matter if it's the federal government, state or local government telling me how to live. I don't like the government thinking they have controls on my life -- even to the extent of dictating how I heat my home. I feel it's anti-American.
Is my using less gas these days a financial advantage? Since I use less gas now, even though I live farther from town than I used to, I think it is. It's one of the financial advantages of living in rural areas. And yes, another advantage is that there are lower housing costs since the median home values are significantly cheaper than in cities
I believe Americans will find they have more purchasing power when living in the country. That's just looking at things by weighing the overall cost of living in the city with the overall cost of living in the country. To beat high electricity bills, I've installed solar to help offset the cost. And yes, to off set the high price of heating a home, I heat my home with wood during the Winter. Of course, I've read where there are some places that actually try to dictate how people heat their homes or survive a Winter cold-snap.
And yes, I can't stand knowing that there are places like Sacramento County that strictly regulates how a resident stays warm in the Winter. And let's be frank here, what business does Sacramento County have to permanently ban traditional, open-hearth fireplaces or wood burning stoves from being sold or installed in new construction.
Residents in that county are restricted to using only gas or electric heaters. Restrictions on the use of fireplaces, wood stoves, and pellet stoves during the Winter, can result in fines if violated in that county. It's true. Residents must check the daily burn status before using any wood or solid-fuel appliance. Violating those bans can result in a $50 fine. Of course, I don't know what would be cheaper on the consumers in that county -- paying a $50 fine or paying the huge increase in gas and electricity bills you accrue from being restricted to using only gas or electric heaters during the Winter.
As for food being more expensive in the country? I don't think it is. Besides watching grocery stores sales like everyone else, we grow a lot of own food in my wife's garden. We get eggs from neighbors. And yes, my wife gives them a lot of veggies from her garden.
As for stocking our freezer, I buy a half a beef a year which lasts a long time. And frankly, as with most folks in rural areas, we keep a well stocked pantry so that we can buy needed groceries when they are on sale. Replenishing your food pantry when things are on sale is easier on the wallet. So yes, I believe that it's cheaper to live in the country. I think the cheaper basic needs of living in the country leave families with more disposable income.
Another benefit to living in rural America has to do with owning property. Acreage allows for large gardens and privacy. County zoning rules make it much easier to build additions, clear your land, and raise livestock, chickens, or have horses. Rural Americans' freedom to raise small livestock, chickens, and grow their own food lends to our sense of personal freedom. The fact is, rural Americans are less dependent on the system then folks in the cities.
I'd say that rural Americans on the overall are self-reliant and independent. Besides raising livestock, growing food, and participating in tightly-knit community networks, rural Americans tend to live a "do-it-yourself" lifestyle -- if anything, simply out of necessity. It's created a work ethic that works.
In rural America, doing-it-yourself isn't just a lifestyle. In fact, it's an essential survival skill. Because they have a sense of self-reliance and are independent spirits, rural Americans routinely fix their own vehicles, maintain personal utility systems, and take care of their property out of pure necessity. It's a part of the "Rural American Culture" shaped by practical realities.
Most rural properties owners believe in independent living. While most have wells, septic systems, home generators, possibly solar arrays, and probably wood stoves. When something breaks, unless it is really an extensive problem which means calling a professional plumber, or a well company, or an electrician, rural homeowners are more prone to tackle jobs themselves. While people in the city are more prone to hire someone to install a faucet or paint a bedroom, rural Americans usually just do it themselves.
As for being resourceful and resilient, some folks say Americans living in the country repurpose old parts and materials into functional tools. Well, we do. And frankly, it's a time-honored rural tradition that helps lower everyday household expenses. That also applies to emergency preparedness, rural self-reliance extends to personal health and emergencies. Distant municipal first responders mean that learning basic life skills, maintaining a personal supply of essentials, and knowing how to safely manage property hazards are vital for safety.
So yes, the benefits of living in rural America generally break down to having more space and privacy, having a lower cost of living, experiencing stronger community ties, having a closer connection to the land, and living a life with more self-reliance and personal motivation.
Larger lot sizes, and lower population density, means you have room to breathe. You can enjoy quiet, dark star filled night skies, and the buffer between you and your neighbors. Rural areas typically feature more affordable housing markets, allowing you to get much more property for your money compared to crowded urban centers. Smaller towns usually create tight-knit, supportive communities where neighbors truly look out for one another and local traditions thrive.
As for having a closer connection to the land? Living here, people automatically have immediate access to outdoor recreation — such as hiking, fishing, and trail riding. It's all right outside your door. That in itself promotes a peaceful lifestyle. And honestly, for someone tired of the hustle and bustle of the city, that's not a bad thing at all.
As for you depending on yourself to get things done? Self-reliance is needed in the country. Without it, you can sit on your backside and be lazy, and feel the sting of having it tough. In contrast, be motivated and reap the rewards of being resourceful, independent, and resilient.
Resourcefulness, independence, and resilience are what makes Americans great. It's what makes us unafraid to meet challenges head on and figure things out without waiting for someone else's permission. It's about independence, and having the financial and emotional autonomy to live life without being stuck waiting for someone else to validate our work before moving forward. It's about relying on yourself and building immense grit. It's about trusting your own instincts and abilities rather than conforming to outside pressure.
Living in rural America offers a slower, less stressful lifestyle away from urban density, granting easier access to nature and cleaner environments. And frankly, with more land and distance between neighbors, you have the independence to pursue self-sufficient hobbies like gardening, raising livestock, working horses, or working on personal projects. With housing significantly cheaper than in urban areas, that opens the door to homeownership and allowing you to live comfortably on a smaller income.
Of course, in this part of America, it's a comfort to know that neighbors look out for one another. For me, I love it here. I love the sense of well-being that comes with living in a smaller community. And really, whether it's my ability to take in rescue horses, trail ride whenever I feel the urge, volunteer within my community in whatever way I please, or me simply being able to furnish my wife with huge gardens, I love the genuine sense of purpose and belonging that living here gives me.
Tom Correa
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