4 Ways to Acclimate to Rural or Suburban Life After Moving Out of a City

Recent reports indicate that 2020 saw a substantial increase in “urban flight.”  According to US News & World Reports, approximately 40 percent of adults living in cities indicated they would like to move to less populated areas, according to US News & World Reports.

The decision to pack up and move to rural and suburban landscapes can be a culture shock. The bright, big city lights are generally absent from small communities. People who are determined to leave the hustle, bustle, and noise behind to embrace a more laidback lifestyle will have to adjust to the new pace. Here are strategies that can help city transplants acclimate.

1. How to Manage Grocery Needs

Most suburbs have a supermarket within reasonable driving distance. People living out in the country may have to drive a solid hour to shop at a large store. 

Rural homeowners typically employ two strategies to deal with distance. The first is to buy in bulk, get a deep freezer and secure a generator in case of power outages. The second strategy is to grow fresh vegetables. When you grow your own food, you can provide your family with fresh produce and lower your monthly expenses.

2. Plan Your Time in Advance

The Eagles rock band may have summed up city life perfectly with their “Life in the Fast Lane” lyric, “Everything, all the time.” Suburban and rural life tends to be more measured. Cultural events such as live music and community gatherings might be more likely to occur only on weekends. This reality means that running out to a show on a Tuesday night might be off the table. People moving out of the city may acclimate better by planning their time at home and nights out on the town in advance. Consider using a calendar and phone alerts about upcoming events.

3. Learn to Relax and Be With Yourself

Concepts such as mindfulness and meditation can prove helpful in rural and suburban settings. Cities seem always to have something going on, and engaging in a distraction tends to be easy. Quiet towns can task people with grounding themselves.

Mindfulness and meditation can be an invaluable way to transition and embrace the seemingly small things in life. Taking time to prune roses, crafting, and just reading a good book are ways to relax and be at peace. Consider employing the formal structures of mindfulness and meditation as a gateway to improved appreciation.

4. Throw a Backyard BBQ and Invite Your New Neighbors

After the moving company has delivered all of your personal belongings, consider organizing a backyard barbecue. Invite friends, family members, and your new neighbors as a way to get to know them. An outdoor party can be a fantastic ice-breaker and sends a clear message you are putting down roots. It’s also a perfect opportunity to learn more about the community from long-time locals. As a newcomer, a little help from neighbors can increase your comfort and make your new place feel like home.

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Should Retirement-Age People Move to an Accessible Home Now?

The natural effects of age on the human body typically result in muscle loss and limited mobility. According to the U.S. Census, about 10,000 people reach retirement age every day, and 73 million people will be 65 or older by 2030. That means in less than ten years, the second-largest age demographic would benefit from accessible homes. 

As everyday people plan for retirement and their golden years, the best time to move into an accessible home might be right now. If you are a Baby Boomer or anticipate mobility limitations, these are things to consider about moving into an accessible home.

What is an Accessible Home?

The federal government passed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990 that requires all public buildings to adhere to building codes that provide people who use wheelchairs, walkers, and other mobility devices easy access. The ADA applies only to government and public facilities. Private homes are often retrofitted after a loved one loses mobility.

The Baby Boomer trend has not gone unnoticed by developers and contractors in recent years. Residential communities exclusively for people 55 and 65 and older have become lucrative investments. Contractors have also become open to new construction homes that meet many of the ADA guidelines. Purchasing and moving into an existing ADA-compliant home or planning a new one resolves an issue that will impact us all. We will all get older, and standard building designs can negatively impact our bodies.

How Would Moving into an Accessible Home Differ?

Homebuyers are sometimes turned off by the bulky wheelchair ramps in front of houses that are for sale. Typically, retrofitting does not give a home enhanced curbside appeal. But houses built with an eye toward accessibility integrate ADA elements into the design. These are ADA-compliant aspects of a property that look good and may add value.

  • Open Floor Plans: Merging the kitchen, living, and dining room into vast open living space has been a hot-trending floor plan for decades. This layout provides accessible benefits by its very nature. It eliminates narrow doorways and thresholds considered impediments to people who use wheelchairs and walkers.

  • Attached Garages: One of the ways ADA-compliant homes can overcome awkward wheelchair ramps is by including an attached garage. They allow people with physical limitations to exit vehicles in a controlled space and enter through a side door. Building codes generally require a garage floor to be about six inches lower than the primary living space. Negotiating that height won’t need a big ramp. A comprehensive demographic of people also find attached garage beneficial for unloading groceries or managing small children.

  • Bathrooms: ADA-compliant bathrooms are typically more spacious and include walk-in showers, among other amenities. Walk-in showers are another trendy home design element that adds value and a leisure experience.

  • Countertops: Homes with accessibility in mind install countertops at a slightly different height than standard construction. They are usually positioned between 24-36 inches without cabinets below. This offers clearance underneath for mobility devices. The countertop height also tends to deliver improved ergonomics. Preparing meals or folding laundry at ADA height puts less strain on your back.

Like all of us, Baby Boomers will come to a point in life when the body doesn’t cooperate. By moving into an accessible home now, you can avoid the cost and cumbersome look of retrofitting later.

Making the Move

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