Break me from this City Life!

[CrazyIvan]

So, I am thinking about moving out into a rural area, but it is going to be difficult, I suppose.

What kind of work is there for folks in smaller towns/areas?

I'm freaked out that I won't be able to find a job or be able to have much of an income. I don't know how folks can pay a mortgage and car payment, much less everything else that goes along with living expenses.

I am sick of living in the city. I am a country boy and I want some space. I want a dog that I can run with out in a big yard. I don't want to think about how many different nasties I walk by at night going into my apartment, or if I parked my car in a way to not attract car thieves... I want some fresher air and to be able to see the stars better at night.

City Life really does suck.

[rondog]

Man, I hear ya! My office is in downtown Denver, and I commute from Parker every day, sometimes twice a day, frequently at night and weekends too. I'm in telecom, and have a GREAT job, but I'm on call 24/7/365. I have sites that I take care of from Grand Junction to Norton Kansas, and I see a lot of attractive areas that I'd love to live in, but I don't know how people make a living out there either.

Then you have to consider weather problems, keeping yourself stocked with all the essentials of daily life when you live in the sticks, making sure you fill up your gas tank every day before you drive home, stuff like that.

But I sure would like to live outside the city myself, and have my own little shooting range, a big shop building, and a big fenced yard for my dogs.

[Rambo]

There oughta be a WalMart out in the country. They always have openings.

[GlockMeister]

I'm kind of in the same boat, but won't actually be in it for about 5 years. It's scary. I suggest this, if you can afford to do it and that's the dilemma, being able to afford to do it and still pay your current bills.

But decide where you would like to move. And take a week or so and go there and check things out. In the mean time, get a newspaper from the area and see whet the job and housing markets are like. Start putting money in the bank and prepare to need it. So put as much as you can aside. You may need it for a while.

It's hard to do these days. Not like it use to be and with the housing market like it is. Good Luck.

[Seven©]

Guys, don't sweat it. Living in small town/rural areas suck.

You spend two hours getting your hair cut at the barbershop. 15 minutes for the haircut and 1 hour 45 minutes gossiping, drinking coffe and talking about guns. I'd much rather go to Sport Clips and tell them how I want my hair did instead of just saying "The usual, Mike."

The nearest chain/fancy restaurant is 45 minutes away. I have to settle for a local diner with home cooking, nightly specials, and sweet tea. They don't even ask if you want unsweetened. They don't even ask if you want to put the tip 'on your card!!' How inconvenient.

It's hard to sleep in rural areas. There's no noise to lullaby you to sleep. No street traffic, no screaming neighbors, no nothing. When you can't sleep, it's just boring.

Cell phone service can be spotty. Sometimes I 'miss' those important evening calls from the office or the mother-in-law. Damn!

No traffic. I can't blame getting home from work late on 'being stuck in traffic.' I have to look the wife dead in the eyes and admit to stopping at the gun store. Again.



Seriously, I've lived in big cities and small towns. From San Antonio and Charlotte to Pflugerville and Glen Alpine. The pay scale is a wash. If you find a similar job in a small town (or surrounding small town) you will make less annually. But, the flip side is a $425k home in a big city sells for $175k in a small town. A $1k month apartment in a big city rents out for $400 in a small town.

FWIW, I always find myself to be better off financially in a small town. And I don't have to make an appointment to get my tires rotated.

[oldjarhead]

If you can't move right away, pick where you want to go and buy some land now while it's still affordable. But gotta agree with seven, there are draw-backs...lol I'm forcing myself into the rural scene; It's tough but somebody's got to do it.

[Mooseman684]

Originally Posted by Seven©

Guys, don't sweat it. Living in small town/rural areas suck.

You spend two hours getting your hair cut at the barbershop. 15 minutes for the haircut and 1 hour 45 minutes gossiping, drinking coffe and talking about guns. I'd much rather go to Sport Clips and tell them how I want my hair did instead of just saying "The usual, Mike."

The nearest chain/fancy restaurant is 45 minutes away. I have to settle for a local diner with home cooking, nightly specials, and sweet tea. They don't even ask if you want unsweetened. They don't even ask if you want to put the tip 'on your card!!' How inconvenient.

It's hard to sleep in rural areas. There's no noise to lullaby you to sleep. No street traffic, no screaming neighbors, no nothing. When you can't sleep, it's just boring.

Cell phone service can be spotty. Sometimes I 'miss' those important evening calls from the office or the mother-in-law. Damn!

No traffic. I can't blame getting home from work late on 'being stuck in traffic.' I have to look the wife dead in the eyes and admit to stopping at the gun store. Again.



Seriously, I've lived in big cities and small towns. From San Antonio and Charlotte to Pflugerville and Glen Alpine. The pay scale is a wash. If you find a similar job in a small town (or surrounding small town) you will make less annually. But, the flip side is a $425k home in a big city sells for $175k in a small town. A $1k month apartment in a big city rents out for $400 in a small town.

FWIW, I always find myself to be better off financially in a small town. And I don't have to make an appointment to get my tires rotated.

Ha...we have to let our hair grow Long because there is No Barber shop !!!
Yeah, its hard to sleep when it is so quiet that the cat purring sounds like a buzz saw...No sirens or thumping Boom boxes to rock ya to sleep at night, and in summer here, there is no Night...it is pure Hell...
You have to be armed because of so many bears and wolves that may attack ya out of the blue, It is Miserable...
It is very hard to get used to No traffic lights, and only a few stop signs on side streets. And the people are just way too friendly...It's scary !
Stay where ya are !!!
Rich

[Blackrock]

I work as a Fleet mechanic making around 48-50K depending on OT. I don't drive a new truck but I do have two good 4X4 trucks. I own 1.25 acres and a home I bought for $32,500 30 years ago. And I live a fairly simple lifestyle. No cruises just simple vacations and get to hunt and shoot a LOT. The key is a secure job in a skilled trade that is not really tied to the economy and a lifestyle with all the basics ie. food, shelter and recreation.

[stalebiscuit]

i live in atlanta

ask me why i love valdosta why dont ya!!

[GlockMeister]

I'd love to sit and get to know someone. Who cares. It isn't like you get a haircut every day or week for that matter. Well maybe some do but I'm lucky to go once every 2 or 3 months. And when they cost anywhere from $20-$60 bucks, trust me, it's not all that great. So you're in and out. But you don't have anything other then an expensive haircut you're not real impressed with. Where as the small town/rural way of life, you might pay $10-$20 bucks and with it you got to know a few people who will at anytime be there when you need them.

I won't go into a rant and rave or anything. lol Not worth it. I'm sure someone that has lived where I'd like to be, just might want to get out for all the opposite reasons I do. Too bad people couldn't hook up and just switch places?

So I'll just end with this. CrazyIvan, I know just how you feel. You're not alone. Sometimes you just gotta gopher it and make it work. I hope you get the chance and get to go where you want to and are glad you did and can enjoy it for the rest of your life. GOOD LUCK!

As I see he's posted, ask mooseman684 how and why he got and went to Alaska? I'm sure he'll tell you to go for it... No matter what the reason...lol

[Mooseman684]

CrazyIvan...what kind of work are you qualified for ???
Rich

[Rambo]

Small town living; You never lock your door. If you do lock your door, everyone knows where your spare key is. You leave your keys in the truck when you go have coffee with the guys. Everyone in town calls and says they saw your youngest son light up a cigarette after school. The local cop knows your name. And your dogs name. You can always get in the hardware store because the owner is your neighbor and you can call him at two in the morning when the water pipe bursts. You can shoot a deer in the back yard as long as you share it with old Mrs. Collins. You know who has your wheel barrow, hedge clippers, .30-30, and the new puppies (because your dog got out again).
Yeah, small town living has it's down side.

[Seven©]

Originally Posted by Mooseman684

And the people are just way too friendly...It's scary !

Rich, I forgot about the people. Friendly people suck. Sometimes I just want to get home when I stop at the store for a 6 pack of Miller Lite. I don't want to stand around for 5 minutes talking about "who's had the latest coyote sighting." Damn a bunch of friendly people!

Originally Posted by GlockMeister

I'd love to sit and get to know someone. Who cares. It isn't like you get a haircut every day or week for that matter. Well maybe some do but I'm lucky to go once every 2 or 3 months.

I get my hair did once a week. High and tight. $8. Well, I give Mike a $10 and tell him "keep the change." I don't need a hair cut every week. I go for the gossip. I gotta keep up with Sarah's cousin who is dating the Pakistani. Rep points for whoever gets that movie reference.

Mayberry RFD. I love it.

[mitch_mckee]

Hard fact. If you want to move out in a truly rural area, you better bring money. If you do, you may be one of the local wealthy. It really doesn't take all that much. I can still find you unimproved land at under $2k an acre, with natural water.

I'm from "there" and moved to a city in 2004 for a job. There was nothing in Upper East TN for me, I still have kids at home and I'm not yet rich enough to retire.

Bring money and a trade and you will be Mayor in no time.

[Seven©]

Originally Posted by Rambo

Small town living; You never lock your door. If you do lock your door, everyone knows where your spare key is.

Well now, Mr. Rambo. That's where we're big time around here.

Me and my two neighbors quit hiding our keys. We just gave each other keys to our houses. Works out great for me. My front property neighbor has a BBQ grill with the sink on the side. When he's gone I have to get inside to turn the water on.

If you look at the first picture in this thread http://www.gunandgame.com/forums/new...tree-farm.html my front neighbor is the one who leaves his John Deere mower outside during the summer months. With the key in it. I love him. His Deere has the beer holder in the fender.

[CrazyIvan]

Originally Posted by Mooseman684

CrazyIvan...what kind of work are you qualified for ???
Rich

I am into IT and Architectural, Structural, Mechanical type engineering drafting and design. I'm pretty good with my hands, but I don't have any work experience in trade-type jobs. Mostly personal experience outside of the technical work I do.

I've thought about going into opening a gun shop or a shooting range, but I dunno.

[toolman]

The first thing you need to do in preparation for your move is to learn to relax. You have to train yourself to stop anticipating the green light, realize that you can get up early just to enjoy the peace and quiet of the morning rather than trying to beat the morning rush. I wouldn't worry about the job market, anyone with a modicum of skill and intelligence can find a job that will allow them a decent living as long as they don't live above their means. I live in a city of 110,000 people which is tiny compared to San Antonio, but I still wish I was back in Hamlin (pop. 3000 and shrinking).

[Mooseman684]

Yup, that would be hard to do out here in the wild unless you can do it by Computer...
Hmmm...
Rich

[mitch_mckee]

Originally Posted by CrazyIvan

I am into IT and Architectural, Structural, Mechanical type engineering drafting and design. I'm pretty good with my hands, but I don't have any work experience in trade-type jobs. Mostly personal experience outside of the technical work I do.

I've thought about going into opening a gun shop or a shooting range, but I dunno.

I think that you have an excellent chance at tele-commuting. Might involve some travel, but you might be able to have your base out in the sticks that way.

[Full MeTal Jack]

Ivan, resume' looks great for public works depts. Not like Cooter Brown with a shovel but, Cooter's bose's boss. Director or Assistant Director of Public Works. T here are oil and gas operations companies all over. They need competent people. Isn't BP and Conoco doing a joint pipe line in Alaska?
Just how Rual do you want to go? Around Houston, 2 hours is comutable.

The FMJ suggest: "Road Trip!" Take a week off. New Mexico? Wyoming, Montana, Oklahoma or North Texas