For some, the appeal of country living is hard to resist. Whether it’s a waterfront oasis in cottage country, a hobby farm where you can realize your dream of raising chickens and growing food, or simply a large plot of land just outside the city limits for total privacy, moving from the city to the country can offer an entirely different way of life.
With the ability for many people to work from home, making that transition may be more practical than ever. While the basics of moving remain the same, there are elements specific to country living you should keep in mind if you’re tempted to go this route. Let’s look at some of the fundamentals for people who’ve never experienced a city-to-country move.
Wells and water systems
Rural water sources differ from the city in that they are more variable. These sources include springs, wells, rivers, lakes, rainwater and trucking it in, though most water for rural and country homes comes from wells or springs. Of note is that although some shallow wells have excellent recovery rates, it’s preferable to have a well that’s deep drilled.
One of the key differences between rural and urban water is how it is treated. Rural water sources can be more vulnerable to a wider range of contaminants, making proper water treatment especially important.
The standard treatment order of rural well water includes sediment pre-filter, iron and manganese filter, a water softener, a UV disinfection system, and reverse osmosis at point of use, but not every home needs all five stages. A comprehensive water test tells you exactly which stages your specific water requires. Health Canada’s guidance on private well testing recommends annual bacterial testing and comprehensive panel testing every 3–5 years. This is important information you’ll want to ask about.
Municipal garbage collection
A lot of Canada’s rural regions have limited municipal waste, recycling, and disposal services, posing various challenges and differences when compared to the services provided in urban settings.
If you don’t live within town limits, garbage collection is often not provided by the municipality. This is where private contractors come in, but you’ll have to pay them to haul away your trash. If you don’t want to pay for this service, it’s a good idea to learn how close you are to your municipal landfill and recycling facility. Most municipalities allow you to bring your normal household waste and recycling without any extra charges, but if it’s demolition waste, expect to pay a fee.
While in many municipalities a garbage and recycling fee won’t be incurred, there are some communities that apply fees when disposal exceeds the stipulated limit per household.
Septic systems
Consisting of a tank, a network of pipes, billions of organisms that process waste, and a drain field, septic systems are wastewater treatment units that perform the role municipal sewers do within cities. However, these systems require upkeep and may well involve cooperation with a neighbour, so keep that in mind.
When you’re touring the property, always be sure to find out where the septic field is actually located.
Septic field installers often look after all the permits and tests required, but if you’re buying a home with a pre-existing septic field, it’s a good idea to have it inspected. You could even try walking over it yourself. If it feels spongy or wet, if moisture is pushing up to the surface instead of percolating downward, it’s possible the septic field is failing and that’s a future expense to consider.
Septic fields can be quite costly to build, so get quotes from multiple installers if you’re working on your budget for a new build outside the city. Also, make sure they’re quoting the same type of field as there are multiple options to choose from and the cost can vary from one to another.
Telecommunications and connections
Living in rural areas can mean being far less connected to high-speed, reliable internet than when living in the city. Even though you’re choosing to live further from the hustle and bustle, being connected remains a huge part of daily life for most people, especially if you plan to work from home, so you’ll definitely want to find out what options are available at the property you’re looking to purchase.
Consistent cell service is also another necessity to consider, as it’s important to ensure you have coverage in the place you’ll need it the most. Sometimes a phone booster is an option but they have limitations, too, such as how far away from it you can be before you lose your connection.
Services like Starlink, which offers high-speed, low-latency internet service, are becoming more available, although not every area has access to the technology, so do your research.
Public transit and ride shares
While most people moving to a rural setting aren’t usually looking for public transportation with regular schedules like buses or taxis, it’s worth noting that those services are usually non-existent in rural areas.
Though it may not be as high a priority as it can be when living in the city or when working remotely, it should be kept in mind that the transport and infrastructure in country environments will often be far behind that of cities. However, far from the hustle and bustle of the city, residents in rural communities have the advantage of traffic-free and commotion-free streets to enjoy a pleasant walk, run or bike ride to wherever you need to go.
More thought might have to be given to the availability of ride-sharing services, however, or whether school buses run in your area if you have kids.
Zoning
Zoning in rural municipalities refers to the protection of agricultural lands, such as farmland, from urban or industrial development. This means if you plan to move to the country, and want to have a few farm animals, check with the municipality about zoning for the property, making it clear what you plan on doing. On the flip side, be aware your neighbours in the country may include four-legged friends — ones that are a bit more noticeable than the cat that currently lives in the condo above you.
Research who your potential neighbours may be. Farmers are an integral part of rural communities, so if you’re averse to smells or loud machinery, you may want to be extra selective about where you’re looking for a new rural home.
Amenities
Proximity to local amenities like grocery stores, hardware stores, gas stations, pharmacies, restaurants, clinics, vets and other facilities is also something to keep in mind. In the city, everything you need is a quick walk or drive away. If you choose to live outside the nearest town, you’ll have to keep in mind how long it may take you to get there and plan ahead depending on weather or how much time you want to spend on the road in general each day.
Working with a REALTOR®
Most REALTORS® will be able to complete the actual sale of a rural property — that itself isn’t really different than a city property — but when it comes to what you should expect when moving, working with a REALTOR® who focuses on rural areas can help provide context and peace of mind, especially if they live in the area. Whether in reference to not-so-obvious changes like quieter nights or unexpected wildlife visits, REALTORS® with experience in rural areas will not only be able to share their expertise, but the experiences of their clients.
Thinking of moving? Call a local expert today!
— REALTOR.ca