Colorado is home to big skies and big country. Many dream of embracing the Western life and moving to a plot of land where their neighbors are far away and their lives slow down. This dream sounds nice, but what might you be sacrificing in the move?
Here are the pros and cons of moving out of the suburbs:
Pros:
Fewer Neighbors
This may top the list. When you move out of the suburbs you find yourself with space between you and your neighbors. Instead of watching the Smith’s make dinner, you’ll watch the sunset. While there are some suburban neighborhoods that offer larger lots, this is a huge plus to moving to a more rural spot.
Here are the pros and cons of moving out of the suburbs:
Pros:
Fewer Neighbors
This may top the list. When you move out of the suburbs you find yourself with space between you and your neighbors. Instead of watching the Smith’s make dinner, you’ll watch the sunset. While there are some suburban neighborhoods that offer larger lots, this is a huge plus to moving to a more rural spot.
Beautiful Views
Not all properties will have beautiful sweeping views of the mountains, but all properties will have some sort of view, not blocked by other developments. Look out the front window at the trees without seeing traffic drive by, look out back to watch the sunrise without your neighbors dog trying to jump over the fence.
More Space
This is a given, but moving into a more rural environment will give you more space. You won’t have to drive to find a walking trail, you can walk around your property. Have pets? They’ll love the freedom of living on 5 or more acres, even if they aren’t allowed to explore the whole property.
Cons:
Added Expenses
With more property comes more work and more expenses. You will likely need a riding lawn mower, a tractor and other costly tools. Maintaining a plot of land is more difficult and more costly than the ½ an acre you have in the suburbs. Expect to spend more time on maintenance once you move out to land.
Long Drives
It’s likely you have a job that is in the suburbs or the city meaning you’ll have longer drives twice a day, every day. If you want to fulfill your dream of wide open spaces without long lasting drives, talk to your employer about working remote a few days a week.
Fewer Amenities
The fewer people in an area the fewer amenities you’ll find. Most rural neighborhoods won’t have a Target or a Walmart. Drive around the area before making the commitment to see how far it is to the nearest grocery store, doctor, vet or anything you visit on a regular basis. You can also combine trips to work with errands to maximize your efficiency.
Overall, choosing a rural life comes with a lot of pros, you just have to decide how much the cons would bother you.
Not all properties will have beautiful sweeping views of the mountains, but all properties will have some sort of view, not blocked by other developments. Look out the front window at the trees without seeing traffic drive by, look out back to watch the sunrise without your neighbors dog trying to jump over the fence.
More Space
This is a given, but moving into a more rural environment will give you more space. You won’t have to drive to find a walking trail, you can walk around your property. Have pets? They’ll love the freedom of living on 5 or more acres, even if they aren’t allowed to explore the whole property.
Cons:
Added Expenses
With more property comes more work and more expenses. You will likely need a riding lawn mower, a tractor and other costly tools. Maintaining a plot of land is more difficult and more costly than the ½ an acre you have in the suburbs. Expect to spend more time on maintenance once you move out to land.
Long Drives
It’s likely you have a job that is in the suburbs or the city meaning you’ll have longer drives twice a day, every day. If you want to fulfill your dream of wide open spaces without long lasting drives, talk to your employer about working remote a few days a week.
Fewer Amenities
The fewer people in an area the fewer amenities you’ll find. Most rural neighborhoods won’t have a Target or a Walmart. Drive around the area before making the commitment to see how far it is to the nearest grocery store, doctor, vet or anything you visit on a regular basis. You can also combine trips to work with errands to maximize your efficiency.
Overall, choosing a rural life comes with a lot of pros, you just have to decide how much the cons would bother you.