Many people think about living the country life. For some it is the connecting with their roots and maybe their farming ancestors. Others are people who have forever lived in the cities and want to find some sort of retreat by living the country life. For some moving from the city to the country may see it as a sort of escape from the pressures of city living. Others see moving from the city to living the county life as finding an inexpensive lifestyle too enticing to pass up.

Most people associate country living with farms and the raising of cattle, sheep, chickens or some other variety of livestock. This is a myth today, as most people live in country towns or villages and while many people who take up permanent residence in the country do own a horse or two. They may even have chickens. One can fully enjoy the country life without all of the chores and physical challenges of farming.

Some like me may purchase some land or an existing house on an acre or two. Others prefer the nostalgia of a lived-in rustic ranch house or beautiful log cabin. Yet still, some prefer making their residence in the old style farmhouse and renovated barn. I myself bought an old community hall in Mirboo, Australia then relocated an old weatherboard house that was going to be demolished from the city.

A riding garden lawn mower is almost a necessity because of the sizable lawns and paddocks you can find in the country. A very commonplace vehicle is a four-wheel driver but is generally not necessary in most areas of the country as the local councils regularly grade most dirt roads. You will be amazed how many country properties are accessible by well-made bitumen roads. Certainly mine is.

One of the best things of living in such a remote locations is the splendid views. Whether you are into bird-watching, star gazing, trail walking or just sitting in a chair on your veranda, the country can really show the keen eye some fantastic views that cannot be seen anywhere else.

Many people will agree that the best part of living the country life is the serene and peaceful restfulness that can only be found miles away from the cities and out in the country. In the country there are few if any major avenues or streets that are congested with traffic, smog and noise.

Of course most don’t want to go into complete seclusion. You do not want to be too far from the nearest centre where you can buy your groceries. This can come with drawbacks if you move somewhere too remote where the local stores keep a low inventory, thereby resulting in higher prices than one might pay at a popular chain of retail or grocery stores in the city. This is becomes less of a problem if you select your country location carefully. I for example live at Mirboo which does not have any store but Mirboo North is only 10 minutes drive away that has a supermarket, several other stores, cafes and a couple of pubs. A major center in the Latrobe Valley is only 30 minutes drive away. Careful selection of the area you choose makes the effect this has on people quite minimal, however, having a country property most people have at least some sort of means to grow or raise some food on their own if they wish.

It is certainly a different and much simpler way of life when you are out living in the country. Many refer to it as God’s country, and that’s exactly what it is. For the people that are brave enough to try it and even for those who are lucky enough to be able to enjoy it there is no better living than country living.

Also in this time of computers and the Internet you can always have contact with the outside world. I myself although retired still do occasional contract work “computer consulting” using a “satellite” link to connect to my customers. Believe it or not I also get lots of fresh meat from the local farmers who soon found out that I can fix any problems they have with their PC’s. Payment, a side of beef or lamb that fills my freezer up. If you ever tasted locally grown meat butchered and dressed by the local butcher then you will realize just what rubbish is passed for fresh meat in the city supermarkets.

I have no regrets living the country life, it takes a little while to get accepted by the locals but when you do it is worth it.