Hi, so you finally made the decision to move and go someplace to get away from the hustle and bustle that the city has to offer. You’re looking for someplace quiet, someplace rural. Well rural can be called by many names, country, boondocks, and middle of nowhere • did you know that the Department of Health and Human Services defines rural as “whatever is not urban is considered rural”? OK, so maybe you aren’t quite in the middle of nowhere, but whatever you choose to call it you are on your way to your new “rural” home!
You have just entered wide open spaces where you know your neighbors, and everyone is willing to lend a hand. • One of the first things you need to do is check out your neighborhood and town, for all local services, because even though you want to leave it all behind, there are a few things you are still going to need!
Now you need to find out about groceries, doctors, and dentists and of course a hospital. If the hospital is over a 100 miles away like mine is, you have to know the routes you need to take to get you there. In most rural areas the local town office has a map of the area so you can get to know the streets where your favorite business is located.
Be sure to post a list of emergency phone numbers where you and the family can easily access them. I’ve included an emergency contact form for you to help get you started. It includes sections for your name, home address, phone number and the numbers of your local town office, school and utility company. When you are in a new home or area and an emergency arises sometimes, until you get used to saying your new address, it is easier to just read the information off to emergency personnel rather than try to remember them. It is also very handy in case your kids need to call for help if you can’t do it.
Now that you have the emergency list all taken care of, you can start to look around your new town. Show the kids where they will be going to school, find the local parks, camping areas, fishing holes. Whatever your family interests are be sure to keep time set aside for those recreations. Moving can be very stressful on the entire family so take time to stop, go out with the family and enjoy yourselves. This move is tough on everyone in the family, pets included. So take a few deep relaxing breaths and then open your eyes to a whole new world out there.
I am looking forward to sharing tips and hints with you to help with your rural home life. Be sure to stop by often to see what we can learn from each other. I would love to hear from you, when you have a minute from all that unpacking. You can also follow me on social media.
