Country Vs City Living - The OBVIOUS Choice

Summary

In this video, Ben from Maple Hill Homestead shares his personal experience of moving from city life to rural living, emphasizing the freedom and peace that comes with owning land. He highlights the challenges of city ordinances and homeowners associations (HOA), such as restrictions on house design and family activities, compared to the relaxed rules in the country. Ben discusses the benefits of rural life, including farm-fresh eggs, owning livestock, peaceful surroundings, and a stronger sense of community. He encourages viewers to consider the lifestyle shift and explores how living in the country could transform their lives.

Takeaways

• 😀 Living in the country offers more freedom compared to city life, including fewer restrictions and regulations on property ownership.
• 😀 In the city, homeowners often face strict rules imposed by homeowners associations (HOA) regarding everything from paint colors to playground equipment.
• 😀 Moving to the country means fewer ordinances to follow, providing a sense of freedom, whether it's painting your door or building a gun range on your property.
• 😀 One of the most significant benefits of rural living is peace and quiet, which contrasts sharply with the noise of city life such as traffic, barking dogs, and lawnmowers.
• 😀 Living in the country offers access to farm-fresh food, like eggs, which taste and are often more nutritious than store-bought varieties.
• 😀 Rural living allows you to raise livestock without the restrictions common in urban areas, with opportunities to keep chickens, goats, pigs, and even exotic animals like camels.
• 😀 The cost of living, especially meat prices, is a factor in the appeal of rural living, where many things are cheaper or produced on your own property.
• 😀 Country living fosters stronger relationships with neighbors, with a greater sense of community and hospitality compared to the isolated nature of urban neighborhoods.
• 😀 Rural areas offer more opportunities for outdoor activities, like dirt biking or shooting, that are often restricted in city neighborhoods.
• 😀 Moving to the country is a lifestyle shift that changes not only your environment but also your personality and social interactions, often making people more community-oriented and friendly.

Q & A

What are some common restrictions people face when living in cities or suburban neighborhoods?

City living often comes with a range of restrictions such as HOA rules, zoning laws, and ordinances. These rules can dictate everything from the color of your front door to the types of structures you can build, like swing sets or pools.

What motivated the speaker and his family to move to the country?

The speaker was frustrated with the restrictive lifestyle in the city, particularly the rules imposed by the HOA and the lack of personal freedom. This led him and his family to move to the country, where they could have more control over their living space.

What are the main advantages of living in the country compared to the city, according to the speaker?

Living in the country offers more freedom, less noise and distractions, fewer regulations, and the opportunity to engage in activities like shooting, building dirt bike tracks, and owning livestock. It provides a more peaceful and tranquil lifestyle compared to the hustle and bustle of city living.

Can you provide an example of how restrictive HOAs can be?

The speaker shares a personal experience where, according to his HOA, he needed written permission to paint his front door or make design choices. In addition, he was not allowed to switch to more natural-looking shutters, as all houses had to look exactly the same.

What types of activities are easier to do in the country compared to the city?

In the country, you have more freedom to engage in activities such as painting your front door without permission, building a dirt bike track on your property, and even creating a personal gun range in your backyard—things that would likely be prohibited or restricted in the city.

How does living in the country affect the peace and quiet in your daily life?

Living in the country provides an escape from the constant noise of city life. The speaker highlights how, after moving to the country, even a simple walk down their driveway feels like a nature walk due to the lack of traffic, barking dogs, and other urban noises.

Why are farm-fresh eggs considered superior to store-bought eggs?

Farm-fresh eggs, especially those from backyard chickens, are fresher, more flavorful, and often more nutritious than store-bought eggs, even those labeled as organic or free-range.

What other livestock can you own in the country, and how does this differ from city living?

In the country, you can own a wide variety of livestock, including goats, pigs, cows, alpacas, and even camels, depending on your property size. This is often not possible in the city due to zoning laws and restrictions on animal ownership.

What is the impact of living in a rural setting on personal interactions with neighbors?

In the country, people tend to have closer interactions with their neighbors, often due to shared interests and a better sense of community. Unlike in cities where neighbors might be distant and isolated, rural living fosters a more social environment.

What does the speaker suggest you should do if you're thinking about moving to the country?

The speaker encourages viewers to watch additional content on his YouTube channel to learn more about rural living and the steps they can take to make their dream of owning property in the country a reality.