Figure out your “gotta haves” before you relocate.
I was born and raised in the South. Many people move there from all over the country to avoid high taxes, crime, cold weather and to enjoy the slower pace. Yet, when they arrive, some immediately want to start changing some of the very things that brought them there. This “back home we had” or “that ain’t the way we did it back home” attitude tends to ruffle the feathers of those born and raised in your new location. You may not think it matters, but trust me, it matters. You may need help or advice from some of the very people who will eventually resent you being there! The best thing to do is to figure out your “gotta haves” before you relocate.
I really can’t comment on this subject when it comes to moving into a large urban area as I have never done so. I am a country boy through and through! However, I can comment on city folks relocating to the country as I have seen this my entire life. Here are some things to consider before relocating to the country or many small towns throughout the south.
The country is in the county for a reason!
Some people relocate to the country and then want to incorporate that area into the city because they want “conveniences” that the city has to offer. It is impossible to have the privacy, lower taxes, peace and quiet the country has to offer with the “conveniences” of the city.
The area we moved from was going through that battle when we left. The native folks didn’t want to incorporate and many of the new transplants wanted to. This caused division and built resentment and animosity between the two groups. It also led to some exciting “letters to the editor” in the local paper!
There are no sidewalks in the country!
Sidewalks cost money! That money comes from tax payers! There is a general consensus among country folks that they already pay too much in taxes and they surely don’t want to pay for a sidewalk that they will never use! If you’ve got to have a sidewalk, then I recommend relocating somewhere that does.
Most fire departments are volunteer!
These volunteers work regular jobs. Therefore, the emergency response time will definitely be in the double-digit minutes if you need them during the day! Because of this, Home Owner’s Insurance can be more expensive. The night-time response is quicker but is still lengthy compared to the response time of a “city fire department”. Full-time, fully paid fire departments cost money paid for by increasing taxes! If you’ve “got to have” a full-time fire department, then the country is probably not the place that you should move.
Emergency services are generally less staffed and can have longer response times!
Depending on the time of day, the day of the week and unforeseen events, it may take the police 45 minutes or more before they get to you. Hundreds of square miles are often covered by just two deputies! Your new small town may not even have a police department!
My philosophy is that I am the police until the police arrive. I completely understand what that means and I readily carry that responsibility. That philosophy isn’t for everyone though. If you feel that you really must have the ability to have EMS and Law Enforcement at your house quickly then consider relocating somewhere that does.
School facilities can be old and outdated!
Beautiful, architecturally designed school buildings with massive recreational complexes cost millions of dollars paid for by… you guessed it, tax payer’s dollars. Country people generally don’t have high paying jobs as those in the larger cities. Therefore, school facilities tend to be older. Schools are generally much smaller. I have seen elementary school kids, middle school kids and high school kids all ride the same bus at the same time. The quality of education is no less, just the quality of the structure. You should definitely consider school facilities before you relocate.
There can be no government utilities and little public utilities!
Utilities can vary drastically depending on your location. We live pretty far out of town and have county trash pickup. This is the only government utility we have. There is no water, sewer or gas. We like it this way! But this isn’t for everyone.
My mama lives way out in the county and had a choice of county water or a well. My in-laws live out in the county and they have county water and sewer. Electricity can sometimes be provided by small local co-ops or massive electrical companies. Every scenario has its advantages and disadvantages. I love having a well and controlling our own water quality! We are responsible for testing our water annually and we know exactly what’s in our water! Many people who I know do not want that responsibility. They don’t want a well that can fail or a septic system that eventually may need pumping! I have seen government utilities forced on people in the county that didn’t want it and it gets messy! If you don’t want some of the responsibility of your utilities, then make that a factor when you relocate.
Before you relocate, you should make a list of those things you absolutely want in an area (sidewalks, new schools, full-time fire department, city utilities, lots of restaurants, sports complexes, public transportation, street lights, etc). If that area doesn’t offer those things that “you’ve gotta have” then don’t move there! You will be happier and those already there will be happier!
What are your “gotta haves” if you had to relocate? Leave your comment below!
Ambitious Feller
“If the women don’t find you handsome, they should at least find you handy!” Red Green
