[NikoSan999]

This was a post in a group I'm in on Face Book and I thought it was kind of interesting to see what most people in a like minded group would answer.
In all fairness A is about an hour away from B if that's a consideration as in travel ( IE... grocery, hospital, doctor etc )

Would you...
A) move to your dream house but it's in the middle of nowhere so you would have to look at commutes to witness any human existence. Rural countryside, stream in the back garden type of place
Or
B) settle for a nice (but not dream home) close to the town you know where you've always lived? With people and beaches and coffee shops!

 

[Livin Large]

A - in a heart beat! I'm kind of a loaner and home body, grew up in a town of 200 so I don't think I'd mind leaving the world behind and living in my own utopia. Actually right now I'm looking for @40 acres with a pond on it in the warmer part of the US, 2 season gardening, to eventually build a house on. My parents are gone, my siblings are scattered from Alaska to Texas to Minnesota to Ohio to ....... My kids are on their own - one in Ohio and the other is currently living with me but started a great paying job last week so it's only a matter of time before he moves out. Come on retirement so I can leave the rat race behind!!!

 

[frugalwarrior2]

A- everyday and all day long. I spent most of my time alone already and shop on low volume days at stores,I like to read,watch movies and stockpile. I would love to live in upper MI. in a house w/ a wrap around porch,root cellar,over sized pantry,an office over the garage and huge gardens.

 

[Contrary Housewife]

Much as I like streams and back gardens, if there is a beach and coffee shop that would be my preference. I love quiet country living, but I would be forever driving into town for the conveniences of the city.

 

[Spirit Deer]

The only reason we're considering moving out of our town at the end of the road that's fifty miles from pretty much anything is because of health care. As we age we're likely to need more health services than what we have here, and it'll most likely become harder for us to drive ourselves to care.

This is our front yard. Right now, the plan (subject to change) is to stay here as long as possible.

As far as the question in general, I think it depends on needs. For people who are aging, it can become difficult and overwhelming or downright impossible to care for a rural place. Driving skills may deteriorate, making it difficult to drive even a few miles into town. It might become impossible to clear snow from driveways or even steps. If we had to move somewhere at our stage in life, nearing retirement, we would definitely be looking at the compromise house near the services we'll need as we age, not looking at somewhere in the boonies where life is so much harder for older people. We watched FIL and my mom as they aged and the hard lessons they were forced to learn were not lost on us.

At any age I would never want to live an hour from a grocery store or other basic necessities. BTDT in our twenties. Never again.

 

[ilovechocolate]

I'd love to do A but practical me would have to settle for B.

 

[Winkie]

I kind of have A, except we are not truly in The Boonies. Definitely remote feeling, back in the woods on 13 acres, .2 mile off the road.
Where I grew up would qualify as remote. The name of the road was Omega & it was named correctly.

 

[brenda67]

A hands down.

 

[many houseapes]

I would have to say A. We were fortunate to move back to where I grew up, after living in a city for nearly 20 years.Even though we are in the country, I would still like to be further out than what we are (2 miles from town)

 

[Guest]

A! But I've always lived an A kind of life. I do think you have to take into account the frequency you have to get to town. I only go to town once a week if that but if I had to go everyday the expense of gas and car repairs and time spent in the car might make me choose B. Especially if I could walk everywhere and not need a car at all.

 

[dlrcpa]

B. I have found that it's possible to enjoy things without owning them. I rent a garden space, walk on public trails and enjoy public amenities for very little cost. When it is cold or hot windy or rainy there is NOBODY else out there, I have these things basically to myself. The only time it gets crowded is when the temperature is perfect on a sunny day. I also have convenient access to libraries, doctors/medical, grocery stores and friends.

My parents chose a. They are in their 80's and housebound. Everything must come to them. They cannot/do not enjoy the abundance of nature around them.

 

[larabelle]

B~ I enjoy all the city services...and the coffee shops.
I like the quietness of A but do not like all the work that accompanies a rural/country life.

 

[Luv2BeFrugal]

B, for sure! I love being in a city with so much to do! People watching is something I enjoy dearly...a beach and a coffee shop sounds like a perfect set up to me!

 

[Guest]

I think I'd like to say I like A, but know that really I'd like B more!

 

[miss_cas2]

I love the job availability of the city and lots of things to do, but the cost of rentals is just too high to get into safe area in home that is well maintained. I also get to see a lot of scams and weird stuff if I try to rent cheaper including violent crimes for trying to remain living alone with cops who don't ever catch anyone who did this stuff....

Pay dropped so low in my hometown, a small city of 500k, the small town pay and cost of living is looking more and more desirable. I'm really craving a spot where I can afford to own and maintain my own home again and not worry about crimes against women or dirty cops who some of the crimes. Yes, I've seen rural areas with lots of scams trying to use the females who moved for work alone to rural area to like house the methies and ruined these for disability pay/welfare benefits plus cops who keep these women trapped until the male gets in so much trouble, he ends up in prison. Then female got access to social worker from another county who got her moved to battered women's shelter out of abuser's area...This lady knew others who moved to this rural area alone and treated to same scam...

Rural property here has some VERY affordable newly flipped properties with lots of custom stuff done to it including its own high speed internet line run to it just abandoned and sold DIRT CHEAP. After looking around more, can usually tell you anything that is good deal usually has some catches so better to move where you have some work contacts, family or friends to avoid getting into trouble...Some of these rural areas are testing new people with some expensive introductions to people who will screw with you, so keep some extra money to deal with surprises or desire to leave doesn't hurt. Rent first is REALLY suggested and may be shocked at the number of landlords who will screw someone new or put you next to someone screwed up (drunk, druggy, violent, destructive, threatening) who the cops ignore until he does a felony and can be housed at state prison instead of local jail...

Would also recommend you test out local internet, especially the little rural telephone cooperatives who offer country internet service, by using the library or restaurant's connection to make sure it will meet your needs. Sometimes the politics in some small towns are so destructive, one argument could get your internet screwed so badly you may not be able to do business so check out cell tower reception too. National internet company is less likely to be a problem.

 

[patra]

I would want to live near the people and places I've always known. It's hard for me to part from the places I've become fond of although living somewhere remote interests me too...

 

[AmyBoz]

If it was just me and DH, I'd go for A.
However, we have four kids who enjoy their involvement in a lot of things like hockey, dance, soccer, etc., and because of that, I think it would be less stressful on me, as driver, to be closer. Also, I still enjoy (and need) my career as a teacher, and I enjoy not having that much of a commute to work each day.
Perhaps when the kids were grown and gone I'd run for option A. But at this stage of life, B is for me.

 

[RABBIT]

15 years ago we picked A, I love living here and have never regretted it. Now we are getting older and have different concerns. When we move I would pick B although in a warmer state or somewhere between A and B if we stay here.

 

[MaggieTrudeau]

A. No debate.