Moving from a City to the Country: Pros and Cons

Jump to the city-to-country moving info you’re looking for:

• Pros and cons: City vs. suburb vs. country
• Why people move to the country
• What to expect during the transition
• Daily life in the country
• Advice for newcomers
• FAQ

• Families: Country living offers room to roam and lower crime rates, but rural areas may have fewer school choices or after-school programs. Many families find the trade-off worthwhile once kids adapt to a smaller, tighter-knit community.
• Retirees: Lower costs and peaceful surroundings make rural life attractive for retirement, but limited access to specialists and hospitals is a real consideration. Telemedicine helps, but it doesn’t replace proximity to healthcare.
• Singles and young adults: The social scene and dating pool are smaller in rural areas, and remote work has made the lifestyle more viable than it was a decade ago. New hobbies and community involvement can replace some of the social access lost in the move.

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• Lower cost of living: Housing, taxes, and utilities are usually cheaper outside major cities. Rural homes cost an average of 30% less than urban homes, and that gap can be even wider in parts of the Midwest and South. If savings are a priority, check our guide to cheap ways to move out of state.
• Desire for space and nature: People who spend regular time outdoors report lower stress and improved mental health. For many city transplants, that daily access to nature is the single biggest draw of rural living.
• Peace and quiet: Many want to escape city noise, traffic, and constant crowds. The absence of sirens, horns, and neighbors through the walls is a genuine quality-of-life improvement for most people who make the move.
• Remote work flexibility: Telecommuting has opened doors for more professionals to live outside cities. New to the hunt? See how to find a job before you move.
• Family life: Safer neighborhoods and a slower pace are attractive for raising kids. Rural schools often have lower student-to-teacher ratios, even if they offer fewer extracurricular programs than urban schools.
• Retirement: Stretching a pension further and enjoying more relaxation are big draws for retirees moving out of expensive metro areas.
• Health reasons: Cleaner air and more outdoor living can improve well-being, particularly for people managing conditions worsened by urban pollution or chronic stress.
• Back to roots: Many move to be closer to family or recapture a simpler lifestyle they grew up with.

• Loneliness: Smaller communities mean fewer people and events. Most city transplants need time to build a new social network, and many describe the first year as harder than expected.
• Missing city conveniences: Say goodbye to late-night food delivery or grabbing a quick coffee downstairs. These small adjustments add up and catch most people off guard in the first few weeks.
• Adjustment period: Give yourself at least a full year before drawing conclusions about rural life. Most people who stick it out past the first year report that the trade-offs become more manageable as new routines take hold.

• Test-drive rural life: Try a short-term rental or Airbnb before making a permanent move. A month-long stay in the area you’re considering can surface issues you’d never catch on a weekend visit.
• Develop self-sufficiency: Learn basic home repairs, yardwork, and emergency prep. Rural service calls cost more and take longer than in the city, so basic DIY skills pay off quickly.
• Expect slower service: Internet speeds, deliveries, and even public services may be slower than you’re used to. If you’re weighing storage options for the move itself, see self-storage vs. moving containers.
• Be patient with yourself: Give yourself time to build new routines and find your rhythm. Most people who thrive in rural areas say the adjustment took longer than expected but was worth the wait.

• Longer distances: Grocery stores and pharmacies may be 20 or more minutes away. Some rural areas have only one or two stores within a reasonable drive, with limited selection compared to urban grocery options.
• Plan ahead: Make lists and stock up to avoid unnecessary trips. Save on packing supplies with our picks for the best moving boxes and tips onwhere to find free moving boxes.
• Farmers markets: Local produce is usually fresher and more plentiful, and buying from local farms often costs less than grocery store prices for the same items.

• Owning a car is essential: Public transit is rare or nonexistent in most rural communities. Without a vehicle, basic tasks like grocery shopping or reaching a doctor become difficult.
• Prepare for weather: Snowy or muddy roads can close off your property for days. Many rural households keep supplies on hand and own a four-wheel-drive vehicle for winter months.
• Longer commutes: If you still work in a city, a 30-to-60-minute one-way commute is common depending on how far out you settle. Many remote workers who moved during the pandemic underestimated how much that drive matters when it’s not optional.

• Fewer nightlife options: Bar hopping, live concerts, and late-night dining are rare in most rural towns. Plan to drive farther or adjust expectations about spontaneous evenings out.
• New hobbies: Outdoor activities, gardening, and community sports often replace urban entertainment. Many rural transplants discover interests they would never have pursued in the city.
• DIY fun: Host bonfires, game nights, or potlucks with friends and neighbors. Social life in the country tends to be more intentional and home-centered than city life.

• Fewer providers: Specialists and hospitals may be 30 or more miles away. Emergency response times are also longer in rural areas, which matters if you or a family member has a chronic health condition.
• Plan ahead: Know your nearest urgent care and pharmacy locations before you need them. Establish care with a local primary care doctor as soon as you arrive.
• Telemedicine: Many rural residents rely on virtual healthcare for routine care and follow-ups. Check your current providers’ telehealth options before the move to avoid gaps in coverage.

• Housing drops significantly: Expect to pay 30%–50% less for comparable square footage, often with more land included.
• Car expenses go up: You’ll drive more miles to reach stores, doctors, and work. Budget for higher fuel costs and more frequent vehicle maintenance. Some rural roads are harder on tires and suspension than city streets.
• Dining out drops in cost and frequency: Fewer restaurant options and lower menu prices reduce your food spending. Most rural residents also cook at home more often, since the nearest restaurant may be a 20-minute drive.
• Utilities depend on home size: A larger house costs more to heat and cool than a city apartment. Moving from a 700-square-foot flat to a 2,000-square-foot farmhouse means utility bills could be higher.
• Incidental city expenses disappear: Daily lattes, overpriced lunches near the office, and convenience store runs happen less when the nearest coffee shop is 20 minutes away. Those small daily costs add up to real savings over a year.

Pro tip: Build a trial budget before you move by taking your current expenses, subtracting city-specific costs, and adding estimated fuel and vehicle maintenance. Most people find they come out ahead overall. Use our moving cost calculator to budget the move itself before you plan the long-term finances.

• Check broadband at the exact address: County-level internet statistics don’t tell you what’s available at a specific house. Use the FCC’s broadband availability map and enter the property address before you make an offer.
• Satellite internet has improved dramatically: Starlink now covers most of rural North America and delivers speeds fast enough for video calls and remote work. It’s a practical primary or backup option where cable and fiber aren’t available.
• Power outages happen more often in rural areas: Rural power lines cover more ground and are more exposed to weather events. If you work from home, a backup generator and a fully charged phone to use as a hotspot are smart insurance against losing a workday.
• Well water and septic systems replace city services: Many rural properties rely on private wells and septic tanks rather than municipal water and sewer. Both require periodic maintenance. Septic tanks typically need pumping every three to five years, and well pumps can fail without warning. Get both inspected before closing on any rural property.
• Garbage collection may not exist: Many rural areas have no curbside pickup. You may need to haul trash to a county transfer station or hire a private hauler. Ask your real estate agent about local waste options before you commit to a property.

• Start small: Avoid buying a fixer-upper until you’ve lived in rural areas for a few months. Property issues that are easy to overlook on a viewing weekend become very real once you’re living there full-time.
• Research local regulations: Check rules for home projects, animal ownership, and land use before you buy. Zoning laws, well regulations, and burn ordinances vary significantly by county and state.
• Get to know your neighbors: In rural areas, neighbors are often your best resource for local knowledge, emergency help, and reliable contractor recommendations. Don’t wait for them to come to you.
• Stock up on essentials: Weather or supply chain disruptions can delay deliveries for days. Keep a well-stocked pantry and a backup supply of medications or other necessities.
• Appreciate the slower pace: A slower lifestyle can be a genuine gift. Most people who move from city to country say learning to slow down was harder than they expected and more rewarding than they anticipated.

• Moving from city to country is a major lifestyle shift: Expect challenges and rewards in equal measure. Most people who stick it out through the first year find the pace and space genuinely rewarding.
• Plan ahead and do a trial run: Preparation helps smooth the transition more than anything else. A short-term rental in the area before buying is the single best step you can take.
• Real stories show adaptation takes time: The firsthand accounts in this guide reflect a common truth. The first few months are hard, and the peace and satisfaction tend to grow over time.
• Set realistic expectations: Be open to learning new skills, building new routines, and spending more time on property maintenance than you’d ever imagined.