A common-sense guide to country living offers helpful advice on how to select a locale and lists questions to ask about the site's air and water quality, demographics, climate, services and taxes, and more. Reprint.
Nearly everything feels better if you do it in the country.I wrote COUNTRY HOME because I met too many urban refugees who made a bad move and then had to move two or three times more before they got it right. That hurts, both financially and psychologically, so my purpose is to show you how to get your right place with the first move.
My background includes living at the edge of a small town, on a farm, in a medium-sized town, and in several cities, including San Francisco, Seattle, Little Rock, and two cities in Los Angeles County--roughly half my sixtyish years in rural places and half in cities. I have lived or traveled in nearly all of the states. I know cities and I know country. You can likely guess which I prefer. I have an eclectic professional background that includes thirteen years owning and running a real estate office and seven years concurrently teaching real estate. I know what sellers want, what buyers want, and what real estate agents want. What I know is what you get.
When I decided to leave urban life and move to the country I wrote a criteria list, researched the 48 contiguous states, narrowed my search to seven states, did more research, narrowed further to a strip of real estate sixty miles by a hundred miles, took a vacation and property viewing trip, found my ideal place and bought it. I live modestly but richly and I have never been happier. I overlooked considering some things. Is there a pollution source upstream? Do garbage trucks thunder by every day during the week? Is the community a good fit? (That one is the biggest mistake people make.) You gain by my experience and from what I have learned since. (The answers are no, no, and yes.) I have talked to hundreds of people about this subject. I have read every book I can find that is pertinent to moving to the country.This is the third edition of my book. I’m pretty sure I’ve covered all the bases--at least that’s what readers tell me.
City-to-country migration is growing. Three-quarters of rural counties are gaining population and all cities save one are losing population in their original boundaries. The reasons are many. It’s not just the push of senseless crime (violent crime is four times worse in cities than in rural areas), high prices, mind-numbing commutes, schools that don’t teach, and filth and noise. It’s the pull of country’s lower prices, friendlier people, stronger communities, scholarly schools, low traffic, clean air, and a closer relationship with nature.
I love to help people. I have a standing offer to my readers. If after reading my book you still have any questions at all, you are welcome to e-mail me, and I will personally answer your questions. That’s how confident I am that I have provided all the information you need to find the home that is perfect for you. Of course you are also welcome to write and just tell me you love the book. I wish you the very best. Enjoy the journey.
