I forgot to mention the health benefits of living in greener spaces including less stress, less inflammation, quicker healing rates, and overall better mood. #facts
Spending a few days in Denver made me realize another advantage of living in the country, avoiding massive commerce.
In the city, anything you want is available to you. If you think of it, you can buy it.
In the country, there are no stores to tempt you into convenient purchases or impulse buys.
If you need something, you have to wait until you go to the city an hour and a half away, bundle all your stops into one day, and keep it as efficient as possible so you don't burn out.
Or you order it online and pay extra for shipping and wait for it's arrival then drive 30 , minutes to town to pick it up at the post office.
Both inconveniences cause you to really think about your purchases and question if you need them, can do without, or find them somewhere else.
Without big box stores around, you are more likely to buy local or secondhand because it's more available.
In turn, you save money, minimize your belongings and reduce waste.
The only chain stores we have on the south end of Whidbey Island are a Les Schwab and a DQ. I know all the cashiers in the grocery store. In the hardware stove, I can buy one screw if that's all I need. Try that in Home Depot.
I'm blessed to have these stores just a mile away. Best of both worlds!
I loved this! I moved from New York to a smaller city a few years ago for the same reasons you moved to Seattle, and while I love it, I do find myself more and more drawn to quieter, more rural spaces year after year. Not ready to take the plunge yet, but this post definitely got me thinking!
I live on Whidbey Island, less than 40 miles north of Seattle, but separated from "America" by a ferry. Although unfortunately not as cheap as some of the rural places you mention, all the other benefits of rural living apply.
I forgot to mention the health benefits of living in greener spaces including less stress, less inflammation, quicker healing rates, and overall better mood. #facts
Driving around Denver, running errands, another reason to live in the country occurred to me--I hate traffic.
Spending a few days in Denver made me realize another advantage of living in the country, avoiding massive commerce.
In the city, anything you want is available to you. If you think of it, you can buy it.
In the country, there are no stores to tempt you into convenient purchases or impulse buys.
If you need something, you have to wait until you go to the city an hour and a half away, bundle all your stops into one day, and keep it as efficient as possible so you don't burn out.
Or you order it online and pay extra for shipping and wait for it's arrival then drive 30 , minutes to town to pick it up at the post office.
Both inconveniences cause you to really think about your purchases and question if you need them, can do without, or find them somewhere else.
Without big box stores around, you are more likely to buy local or secondhand because it's more available.
In turn, you save money, minimize your belongings and reduce waste.
The only chain stores we have on the south end of Whidbey Island are a Les Schwab and a DQ. I know all the cashiers in the grocery store. In the hardware stove, I can buy one screw if that's all I need. Try that in Home Depot.
I'm blessed to have these stores just a mile away. Best of both worlds!
I loved this! I moved from New York to a smaller city a few years ago for the same reasons you moved to Seattle, and while I love it, I do find myself more and more drawn to quieter, more rural spaces year after year. Not ready to take the plunge yet, but this post definitely got me thinking!
You're on your way! LOL. It's worth giving it a try is there is a way to do it short term.
I live on Whidbey Island, less than 40 miles north of Seattle, but separated from "America" by a ferry. Although unfortunately not as cheap as some of the rural places you mention, all the other benefits of rural living apply.