12 Things to Consider Before Moving to Rural America

People from all walks of life and all ages are contemplating selling their homes in the inner-city or suburbs, packing up, and moving to rural America. This article is meant to acquaint individuals with some of the various life-style changes and challenges that may be encountered as a result of this decision, not to discourage them. An informed decision is a good decision!

Depending on where you choose to re-locate to, some or all of the following may apply, and to a lesser or greater degree -

1. Access to health and emergency services – serious consideration should be given to the level of access required for health and emergency services if you suffer from on-going health problems. Not all towns have hospitals, doctors, dentists or other health care professionals locally available. Ambulance service may be limited or non-existent. Fire departments may be staffed by volunteers activated on an emergency-by-emergency basis, while law enforcement services may consist of one deputy that is “on-call” 24 by 7 for a wide area of the county. Be prepared for the extra time required for health, fire, and law enforcement personnel to respond to calls for service under these circumstances.
2. Rural Roads – county road surfaces may be asphalt, but many are sand, clay, gravel, or a combination of these materials; some bridges are made of wood – railings, may or may not be standard. Responsibility for the maintenance of rural county roads and bridges falls to the County Commissioner much as it does in the city; however, in rural America do not be surprised to pass the Commissioner on the roadways operating the road grader or other equipment as part of his maintenance duties – literally. Keeping vehicles dust-free and shiny on unpaved roads is impossible. The roads are frequently too narrow for two vehicles to pass without one “giving way”. It is normal to encounter slow-moving vehicles, both on rural roads and sometimes on the state highways, ranging from tractors pulling large farm equipment to logging trucks loaded with fresh-cut timber. It is not uncommon for a rancher or farmer to move their livestock from one pasture to another across or down a roadway. Rural roads do not have lights, curbs, gutters, or road stripes. Rural roads at night give “dark” a new meaning!
3. Access to shopping, services, and entertainment – you will not find an abundance of retail shopping outlets in the small towns of rural America. The major shopping destination may consist of the local WalMart, assuming the town is populated enough to rate one, and a few small businesses. Service companies, such as plumbers, electricians, mechanic shops, restaurants, gas stations, and other services are often in short supply, if not non-existent. Oftentimes social events are connected to the local churches and schools. In some areas you will find a civic center and/or an “arena” (covered or uncovered) which serves as the gathering place for events such as annual rodeos, county fairs, equine events, and if applicable, Chamber of Commerce sponsored events. Rarely will there by a golf course, theater, bowling alley, skating rink, or other public entertainment facilities available locally. Do not be surprised to encounter a “dry county” now and then – no beer, wine or liquor will be legally sold within the county. The majority of rural businesses are family-operated; therefore, their hours and days of operation may be drastically different from businesses in the cities.
4. Weather impacts – storms may disrupt electrical services. Rural areas served by paved or unpaved county roads may become temporarily impassible by snow drifts, flooding, downed trees, or mud and rock slides. This is not restricted to rural America, but due to varied terrain and limited rural resources may require an extended time period to correct compared to larger cities.
5. Utilities – normal services enjoyed in the city, such as electricity, gas, water, sewer, telephone and Internet service, may not be readily available and in some instances costly to acquire. The most common water and sewer systems are on-sight water wells and septic tanks. Natural gas lines are uncommon in rural areas; instead heating oil or gas (propane or LP, if available) is stored in tanks located on sight and filled as needed by a service company. Depending on location, the only heating source available may be in the form of a wood-burning stove or fireplace. Television, telephones and Internet access may require satellite services. Cell phone service can be “spotty” or totally unavailable in some areas. Trash pickup and/or recycling may not be available.
6. Agriculture – while some rural areas may be primarily recreational, most are based on agriculture; farming and ranching are a way of life and livelihood for local residents. As a result you may encounter all the varied aspects of this industry. Depending on the type of agriculture and the management-style of the owners, agriculture can be noisy, dusty and smelly. There are such things as “right to farm” laws that protect agricultural operations from complainants that “choose” to reside next door, so if you choose to live there, understand you may have little legal recourse if things are not to your liking. So, choose wisely!
7. Neighbors – most people in rural America are warm, friendly individuals and families; they both welcome you to the community and are willing to lend a helping hand when necessary, but people are people – this does not change just because you move to rural America. So, do not be surprised to find that everyone does not welcome newcomers with open arms initially. The old saying “good fences make for good neighbors” is alive and well in rural America. Fences are meant to keep your livestock in and the neighbors’ livestock out; there is nothing that will create animosity between neighbors faster than a commercial bull getting through a sloppily maintained fence and breeding the neighbors’ prized, registered heifers.
8. Crime – rural America is not exempt from crime; however, because there are fewer people in rural areas you may encounter fewer instances of crime and some types of aggravated crimes may be almost non-existent. You may encounter crimes that you would not in the city, such as cattle and horse rustling – yes, these crimes still exist. Burglary and theft can be wide spread, particularly dealing with high value agricultural equipment, such as trailers, heavy duty trucks, tractors, baling equipment, special tools, etc. Illegal drugs, while not as prevalent as in the city, can be found in rural areas.   
9. Property – usage zoning, easements, water and mineral rights, title restrictions (that run with the sale of property), leases (many of these are agriculture or energy related), and flood zones all can impact rural property. In general, rural properties are not bound by restrictions such as those connected with homeowner’s associations in or near the cities.
10. Mother Nature – aside from weather related issues, Mother Nature can present challenges and encounters rarely experienced in the city – from wild animals, including predators of all shapes and sizes, to varying terrain. Mother Nature can be glorious in all its forms - as well as dangerous to humans, livestock, and pets. If you let “Fluffy”, the 5 pound family pet, outside in rural America with no fences or supervision, especially after sunset, chances are Fluffy will never be seen again. Vigilance – and common sense - in rural America are a must!
11. Mail service and other deliveries – the U. S. Post Service (USPS) does a very good job of delivering mail in rural America; but severe weather combined with unpaved rural roads may cause minimal delays occasionally. Deliveries of equipment, building materials, furniture, etc. requiring large vehicles may be negatively impacted by road quality, low hanging trees, sharp turns, and steep grades. Metal mailboxes and those enclosed by decorative brick sitting alongside the roadway may fall victim to mischief involving the local teenagers and their baseball bats, just as they do in the city.
12. Separation from family and life-long friends – maintaining contact with family and friends thanks to technology is not the challenge it has been in the past. However, the level and manner in which you maintained this contact while living in or near the city may not be possible when living in rural America.

Life in rural America is all in what you make it. The long term benefits - of which there are many - of living in rural America will by far surpass the life-style changes and challenges of adapting to your new home.