So every now and then I get asked a question about country living. Here is one from a few weeks back:
The idea of Australian country living fascinates me. We are entrenched in the city but have sampled a country life with a six month stay in the country when we first arrived here. It took no time at all to get lynched by the scarier local wildlife and a lot of effort to make friends. I was really glad to get to the city. The community seemed more embracing and the wildlife less likely to appear. That said, it is an increased crime rate and there are more obvious junkies (with their paraphernalia littering the street) how do you feel about the differences between the two lifestyles?
I’m not convinced that crime is the major problem that many news outlets would have us believe. The problem we do have is that social media makes things that happen rarely and far away seem like they happen near us all the time. Having said that, I also know it depends on which part of the city you live in. When we lived in the city, we were fortunate to live in a pretty good area. Yes there was some crime, and probably junkies etc too, but we didn’t see a lot of it. Here in the country there is crime too. A friend of ours had his brand new quad bike stolen earlier this year, and there has been a murder in one of the towns near by. I feel quite safe out here, but at the same time, I felt safe living where we did before.
In terms of making friends, yes it takes time, and yes it is hard to do. Heaven knows, we are not out going people, but we know we need to make an effort to get into the community. I am one of those people who tends to look at life how it is, and just get on with it, so my attitude is “since I am here I might as well get on with it, and make friends, and integrate”. I find that the locals are keen to welcome anyone who is willing to be involved in the community. At times I struggle with living in a small community, and I have a policy of not saying anything to anyone (other than CB) unless I am happy for the whole community to hear about it.
Possibly, having CB’s parents living near by, and CB growing up in the community has made our transition easier (but then again maybe not!).
I enjoy our current lifestyle (for the most part), but it has its draw backs too, (but then so does city life). When people here we have moved to the farm, the common expression is “you are living my dream”. Like all dreams, the reality is somewhat different. For me, I find it incredibly frustrating trying to get things our family needs like shoes and clothing. I used to be able to shop at end of season sales, and garage sales and have everything ready in advance of needing them. I internet shop a lot, but my inner frugalista hate paying full price (I used to get most things on end of season sales for the following year).
Of course the space and freedom for the kids, the bountiful supply of home grown food, and a husband who is in heaven, are just some of the benefits of the country life style.
If you want to read some of the other questions I have answered try here:
Where I talk about when our kids will have to leave home.
The how and why of once a month shopping
Why the simple life is not that simple
What my kitchen looks like
Do you have a question to ask? Want to know something about our life, me, or anything else for that matter?
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