Getting sick of living in the rat-race?

[stick bow]

I sure am, seems like I'm just spinning my wheels and time is flying by. I would like to think that I would enjoy living a homesteading lifestyle and think about it all the time. Raising chickens and canning vegetables sounds better every day. The actual transition would probably be more difficult than my dreams though. I am experienced in processing game and fish and am capable of learning. Who from experience can talk me into it / out of it????

[Rootsy]

extra commute to work, lack of convenience near by, sometimes lack of amenities such as cable and broadband, etc... Homes are generally older and require more work and up-keep, no sewers no city water no natural gas (in true rural areas)... I grew up on the farm... have a little place in the country with no neighbors for 1/2 mile in either direction and a dairy farm across the road... just the way i like it more or less... until i need something and cannot get it due to lack of selection or availability...

The significant other was city raised (NYC) and it gets to her from time to time that there is a lack of city culture and the most exciting place to shop is meijer or walmart within short driving distance... Any "major" city is at least 40+ miles away...

But that said... I could never survive in a city... I've traveled for work quite a bit in the past to cities, weeks at a time and had an apartment for a short time once... I went stir crazy in a matter of days...

So i work in the garden, help the farmer across the road, have plenty of projects in the shop, walk out back and light up my shooting range, shoot woodchuck from the picnic table all summer, cut A LOT of firewood for winter, feed my chickens and collect my eggs... and so on and so forth...

Is that what you were looking for in a nutshell? I live in a pretty rural area... suburbs or rural areas closer to major towns wouldn't be quite as desolate as described of course....

[Tecumseh]

You may find that you spend more time working around the homestead than you did in the rat race. If you are prepared for that I'd say to go for it. I plan to do the same one day.

[stick bow]

I love working up there on the weekends and am in a truly rural area with no electricity for 3 and 1/2 miles and no full time neighbors for miles. Right now it's just a hunting camp with a fine new (cabin 1200 square feet) and 60 acres (paid for). I run the place with a substantial generator all underground with propane or gas and it is deluxe. I like to think that I would love it but I don't know.

[roger23]

give it a try you can always come back .you won't know until you try it .

[Steve]

I think I'd live longer up north if I could make enough money to do it. Too much stress in concrete jungle warfare.

[eddiejohn4]

That would be a tough but rewarding life. Ah but to dream!:) The wife would club me like a baby seal if I moved her to a remote setting.

[mheard]

Well I've been wanting to for a looooong time. I actually lived and graduated from High school in Mio. Kinda wish I'd stayed, I'd be established, but then again I probally wouldn't have all the toys I have now. The plan is to move north near my brother and his kids, (and his kids, kids!). Job is pretty much over at end of 2008 (or sooner). So this is probably my best chance. BTW I've lived in Ypsilanti for nigh on 23 years.

[Backwoods-Savage]

stick bow, the biggest problem with the rat race is that no matter who wins, he's still a rat.

I believe it was one Henry Thoreau who said, "Build your castles in the air, that is where they should be. Now put the foundations under them."

Don’t be afraid to go out on a limb, that’s where the fruit is. However, before you go out on that limb, make sure it will support you. Do you still plan on working out? Do you have the money to purchase the land, or do you already own it...mortgage free (sounds like that is taken care of)?

Is the land sufficient to grow the things you desire to grow? In many areas there is beautiful land but it won't grow squat nor will it support many animals. Chickens are okay and a good start but that is a very small part of what one needs. How about fruit? You can grow strawberries and many other fruits on marginal ground. Some you can begin reaping the rewards the second year but some take up to 7 years.

For example, we like strawberries, raspberries, peaches, cherries, apples and just a few blueberries, etc. But it all takes time and usually it must all be protected from wild animals. We lost over $100 of strawberries one year from coons. We have the gardens and fruit protected with a 4 and 5 foot tall fence. Fencing is not cheap.

Read as much as you can. Talk to as many people as you can that have the knowledge you need. Learn, learn, learn and then do, do, do.

If you decide to take the plunge and do not plan on working somewhere else, make sure you have enough money on hand to carry you a minimum of 5-7 years, but even better, 10 years.

As for the lack of conviences, that all depends upon you and your family. Some can live that way and some can't. It really can be easy to live without a lot of the things that some consider necessary. For example, though we have electric and have a TV, we probably watch it less than 4-5 hours per year. We can easily go without. Could do the same with the Internet and telephone (and we don't even own cell phones).

Naturally this is just a start. Feel free to PM me if you would like to discuss this idea more as it is a project that is dear to both the wife and I.

[imakeknives]

Be prepared for the inconvience of seclusion. I live in a small town[1 gas station, 1 store] and I had to drive 100 miles to put a plate on my van. Its 18 miles to the nearest hardware store, 33 miles to the nearest k-mart. 90 miles to the mall. Not complaining, just the facts.

[Ebowhunter]

We are mixing it up to some degree. Some would call it "hobby farming".

Owosso, I refer to as a mid-sized city in the middle of farm country. They are making a mess on the east side of subdivisions and there are three 28 acre plots for sale on the three mile stretch to town - two are river side.

We are blessed with an old farmhouse and the original barns. Only two acres but we are working with it.

Animals are tucked into all of the corners (with room to roam).

True homesteading is a sacrifice of huge proportions in today's society. Do not enter lightly but if your heart is in it, I can not imagine a more peaceful existence.

I did buy a car that gets 40 mpg in order to support the day job.

[wally-eye]

Living on the White River in the middle of nowhere with no neighbors so to speak. 40 miles to Muskegon and 50 to Grand Rapids. The only nice thing is Fremont which is not very big but its only 12 miles away and does have a Pizza Hut and a wally world mega center........

There is something to be said for living in the middle of no where though. If someone drives in the driveway you know there's a 90 % chance their lost.:lol:

I know I could never live in town again. 4 acres and 2 3/4 acres mowed makes a nice quiet park like setting and then theres the trout in the front yard in the river................:coolgleam

[roger23]

wife was diagnosed with beast cancer .we think it is over .But we had to go to Kemo this lasted 3 months we ended up going to the place 4 days a week after Kemo we got a 3 week break them radiation 5 days a week for 33 treatments we were lucky it was only 22 miles round trip but it was in the winter I guess what I am trying to say be prepaired if any health issues arise. I will add that a friend has a house at Trout lake he bought to retire but he has had some health issues between no hospital close and hospitals and doctors that insurance will accept he can only use it when he does not need to see a doctor that sucks

[eddiejohn4]

Roger I am sorry to hear that your wife was sick. I am glad she is all right, and Our prayer for her full recovery are with her.

[kumma]

Getting sick of living in the rat-race? Every darn day man. I dont have an interest in a primitave living style just a slower pace of life offered in the country. I hate the traffic and sheer number of people in the burbs.

The only thing keeping me here is the fact that im self employed. It would take a couple months to close up the shop and be on my way. Actually if the economy doesnt turn soon it may close itself, and I'd be on my may to the UP. :D

[walleyeman2006]

well..its work too..

we have about 2 acres of garden..it feeds 3 familys for most of the year..could probably handle us all year if we didnt give anything away..and did a little more canning

that itself takes a good 20 man hours a week in up keep

no live stock right now..if we can get a bigger place ill be getting a stear and one or two pigs a year..maybe a few chickens

hoping this fall is a little better then last and we get enough venision to avoid buying beef all together for a while lol

i can tell you this much if you do it right a four person family can live on less then 20k a year

[November Sunrise]

We moved from suburban Milwaukee to Hillsdale County in 2002. We're not nearly as remote and rural as I would prefer, but it's still outstanding as compared to living in the suburbs. 95% of the time I love our small town rural lifestyle - no traffic, no crowds, etc. However, the lack of quality medical care, quality restaurants, etc. is at times a source of frustration.

I'm not recalling the title right now, but I have an entertaining non-fiction book about a family that decided to homestead in Minnesota. They were truly novices, and as you read their account, you'll derive confidence that if they can do it, anyone with a high commitment level could make it work.

Stick Bow, send me a PM with your address, and I'll send you a copy of the book.

[autumnlovr]

Who........can talk me.........out of it????

Liz?


BTW Steve, that was a great story about the belly-paint-job!
:tdo12:

[CL-Lewiston]

As Rootsy and Styeve said there are many reasons to live up north. The many reasons peoples dont do it all have Washingtons picture on them.

[puttputt]

Getting sick of living in the rat-race? Every darn day man. I dont have an interest in a primitave living style just a slower pace of life offered in the country. I hate the traffic and sheer number of people in the burbs.

The only thing keeping me here is the fact that im self employed. It would take a couple months to close up the shop and be on my way. Actually if the economy doesnt turn soon it may close itself, and I'd be on my may to the UP. :D

I thought living in Brighton was primitive living! :lol:

[ATB]

That would be a tough but rewarding life. Ah but to dream!:) The wife would club me like a baby seal if I moved her to a remote setting.

Huge yeah that. I've been trying to talk my wife into moving for years now. Her Mom & Dad and 2 best friends are within 15 minutes away (so I am screwed!):lol: I really would'nt want to have to sell my house in this market right now either.
"getting out of the rat race"
I hear that! Just to talk about one problem. The 45 minute drive to go 13 miles to work everyday alone has grown very tired. Only 20 more years on my sentence in the burbs I guess.

[autumnlovr]

Stick bow.....you could move to Brighton. Check out this auction being held June 12th. Sell the Squirrely Hts place and hide out in this shack. Liz might even go for it.

http://www.realtourvision.com/tour/RE/tour.view.new.php?utl=RE-5169-OTPHMO-01

[stick bow]

At my shack up north the world is my bathroom:lol:

[shawndonna]

That is North you know. Going up for 5 days for my dose of sanity. I work alot up there but I love it. We love to watch the deer,turkey's, fish, rabbits,pats, and anything else that moves. Gotta check the food plots and feed the birds. I can't wait.
Shawn

[Don J]

I sold house in Clio:) , split the proceeds with the wife and told her I wanted divorce. Moved to cabin in Frederic, do not miss all of the exhaust fumes and noise. Cabin is small 14x30 but has all the room I need. Need to build garage for boat and other toys. You do have to make trip to town worth it, not just milk and bread. Summer should be all right but winter could be rough. Another thing to think about is all the bugs you get up north.