The Pros & Cons of Country Living

Living in a city is great. Out of milk? The solution is simple with a quick run to the grocery store. Want to spend a night out and not worry about a ride home? A cab is just a phone call away! Many young people are drawn to city life for the convenience that it offers and so their journey into adulthood usually, but not always, begins in a city setting.

But perhaps as you grow older, and as the city of Saskatoon and its surrounding suburban communities continue to grow, you find yourself wishing for some peace and quiet, and the freedom that comes with not having to worry about the neighbors. It’s the pull of simplicity and the dream of having space to do what you want, when you want.

Those idealistic wishes may have you, like many others, drawn to look at acreages for sale over homes in the city. Before you go out and make a sudden decision, though, it’s important that you understand both the good and the bad living outside of the city offers.

The Benefits of Living in the Country

Let’s first start by defining country living. Are you thinking about purchasing a couple of acres in an acreage community where your neighbors aren’t so close but you still have the sense of community? Or are you thinking about buying hundreds of acres of farmland; secluded with no one to worry about but yourself.

These two are as different as urban living compared to rural living. No matter which one you choose, though, there is a definite appeal to living outside of the city.

• The space that comes with living on a larger piece of land gives you ample room to raise your kids, enjoy your hobbies, and live life without feeling like someone is watching you.
• It can be said that country living can provide a healthier lifestyle. It offers a boost to your physical and mental health, cleaner air, and less stress without the hustle and bustle of city traffic. For some, this alone is reason enough to get out of the city.
• In most cases, owning land in a rural municipality comes with fewer restrictions and rules. You’ll find less zoning requirements and less permitting procedures so you are able to do just about anything you want, as long as it’s legal, of course. The sense of freedom that comes with the less stringent rules is irreplaceable.
• When you’re living in the country you can say goodbye, for the most part, to all the noise that comes with living in a busy city. In many cases, it’s completely quiet—save for the noises from wildlife and nature.
• Speaking of nature, living in the country allows you to live alongside and even raise your own animals. Whether you look out your window to find a deer making its way across your property or to see your horse out in the pasture, you’re sure to find joy in seeing that over your neighbors car.
• Real estate prices are heavily dependent on location,. In most cases, rural land just doesn’t have as much demand as plots in the city. This means you’ll likely pay less per square foot. Buy in the country and build a bigger house!

With benefits like these, it’s easy to see why acreage communities are booming and why so many are looking to leave their city life behind.

The Cons of Living in the Country

Although living in the country does seem pretty great, there are some drawbacks to the lifestyle. Here are a few items to think about before you make the decision to leave city life behind.

• Larger properties offer plenty of advantages, but also give you more to manage. If landscaping and cutting grass aren’t your thing, then rural living may not be right for you. Not only is it a lot of work, but it’s often harder and more costly to hire people to come out and do a quick job. It just isn’t worth their travel time, so you’re left either paying their commute fees or doing it yourself.
• When you live far from the city everything requires a special trip. Whether it’s groceries, gas, supplies from the hardware store, or take-out, you have to really plan your outings and if you forget the milk, it may have to wait until next time.
• Challenges with utilities should be considered before buying a piece of land. Ensure that there is relatively easy access to natural gas, electricity, water, and tv and internet services, as well as a septic system for your waste. If these services aren’t readily available, you’ll need to consider well water, and other heating options, as well as satellite tv and internet, which can often be less reliable. All these challenges can be overcome, but with an added cost. It’s a good idea to add those costs into the cost of your land per square foot to see if it’s as cost-effective as you were thinking it was.

Before pulling the trigger and moving out of the city of Saskatoon, ask yourself—do you enjoy the hustle and bustle of city life or dream of peace and quiet? Are you fascinated by towering skyscrapers and bright neon lights or favor the open sky and gentle moonlight?  If it’s your dream and you have the skills, experience, and resources required to make the move, country life could be waiting for you!

Ready to see what’s on the market? Check out acreages for sale near Saskatoon today!