Tired Of The Rat Race? What To Consider Before You Opt Into Country Life.

If you're feeling cooped up, a life in the country could be just the right medicine. The feeling of space and the beautiful sounds of the countryside. The sheep in the paddocks, the chooks around the house and the roar of the ride on mower as it cuts your lovely big lawn. There is a lot to consider before this life can start. Here are some of the basics for you to consider to give legs to your dreams.

The best way to begin is to think about the key reason you want to move? Are you sick of being bumper to bumper on the motorway? Is it the needs of your family and a better way of living? Do you want to slow down, use the land, and maybe even attempt a sustainable lifestyle? Or is just the need for more space, complete with ride on mower to care for your lawn.

To make sure this really is the practical guide it's intended let's start with money. It's always the last thing we consider when we're dreaming but it's good to make it the first, and grow your plan from the ground up. Do you have a house to sell? How much will you realistically get and what will that convert to in the area your looking? Do you want to downsize or upscale? If you require a big piece of land, what are your plans and do they require equipment you'll have to work into your plans? Will you be able to use the land and your new lifestyle to reduce your cost of living from where it is now?

So let's think about your work. Is it time for a change or are you happy with your job? If you are happy and can consider possible work from home and/or possible commuting, it's a great way to ease you into a different life. If you own your own business, is it the type that can be operated from anywhere or is location so important that you would need to sell? Is there a possibility of starting up again in a new area? If you are completely over your current work, then now is the time to start brainstorming the possible options. Have a look in your dream areas for job opportunities. Talk with people who have already made the move and ask what they did. And don't forget to plan for your kids and how they will fit in. Do you need childcare, or is part of the plan the ability to spend more quality time with them?

It may seem way down your list but you need to think about the effects of leaving those close to you - your family and friends? How connected are you into your network. If you're the kind of person who energizes from being surrounded by others you might struggle to adjust to your own company. There will be a whole new community of people just waiting to be found but this will take work and effort and boldness and, time. Maybe a lot of it, until you feel established. A great way of getting involved in your local community is through churches, schools and sports clubs. How will you get on without support of friends, family and baby sitters?

When deciding on your dream location think about how far away from your friends and family you want to be. Is it a place that is accessible for weekend trips? Is in cost inhibitory? if so - does this bother you? Do you need to include space in your plans for your visitors to stay? Think about the affects on your children. Is this new life going to benefit them more than the stress and turmoil of change? Is there access to good schools? Don't forget to future proof as well. What about high schools and where your young adults can go to university one day.

Visit the area and make sure you get the right research about what money will buy. Discuss your plans with the experts, or at least, with people you trust to be sure your decisions are sound. It's a big investment and you want to make sure you are going forward, not backward. Be prepared for some negativity. You will definitely need a strong resolve to press forward. Make your goals practical. If you want a hobby or real farm, then make certain you get a range of advice from people who have been there in your position and have done it. Passionate lifestyle farmers love to pass on their knowledge and pearls of wisdom.

So now you are at the point where you have pinpointed where you want your new life to be. Now the plans about what to do on your land begins! What's your passion? Is it farming? Growing wine or olives? Alpaca's? Or even just sustainable living? You are going to need some equipment. Let's use the example of a ride on mower, which is a well known tool in the country where big patches of grass are common. Buying the right ride on mower for you needs needs to include key information about your terrain. Such as whether it's hilly and/or steep. How long and thick the grass is. How much time you'll have to mow. Whether you want to collect the grass clippings or discharge them. Assessing your needs will lead you to the right decision. And remember, buying on quality and needs will trump cheap price in the long run every time.

Site choice also has a role to play in other areas of your planning. Wind, hills and alt spray can affect corrosion, plants and maintenance requirements, so take all this into consideration.

In closing, think about the traveling distance for you to reach the doctor and even a hospital. Additionally how long does it take emergency services to reach you? Also consider day to day amenities like shops. It's up to you how far you want to travel to reach these places but a bit of forethought will make certain your content with the reality.

About the author: Molly Dunbar is full of great advice, including how to buy the right ride on mower for your needs. If you have a challenging site, lots of long grass and hilly terrain, or you're worried about safety you need to read her report on everything you need to know about ride on mowers.

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