The coronavirus pandemic has encouraged a lot of city dwellers to embrace life in the countryside. Remote work arrangement has made their dreams possible. They can make the most of the time outside the house without fearing unwanted interactions with crowds. 

There’s also something deeply satisfying about going back to a rural living. It is in our roots. People are made to enjoy life built on the soil. Yet, if you’ve moved recently into a cosy cottage in a small hamlet or a remote location, you are probably wondering if the challenges of a soil-based lifestyle were worth the effort. There are challenges, it’s no use denying it. But most of the issues people face have to do with lack of preparation. 

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The pros

The first thing that comes to mind when you remove your tarmac surroundings and replace them with fresh soil and trees is how clean the air is. Countryside living means less car traffic. You may not have struggled with severe respiratory issues in a city landscape, but most people still notice a major difference. Pollutants in the air can lead to mild sinus conditions, headaches, dull skin completion and loss of mental focus. Fresh air can free up your sinuses, your mind, and your skin simultaneously. Just open the window and recharge your batteries as you breathe! 

For families who are conscious about the provenance of their food and how it can affect the environment, your countryside garden can become a vegetable lot. Growing your own food is not only empowering, but it is also the safest way to manage your health. You are guaranteed to consume vegetables and fruit that are filled with natural goodness to tick all your nutritional boxes. Parents of picky eaters rejoice: Most kids find it exciting to eat the plants they’ve planted and harvested. 

The cons

Unfortunately, putting fresh soil at the heart of your new life can come at a cost. On a rainy day in town, your shoes are likely to form a small puddle as they dry by the front door. In the countryside, the puddle of water turns into a sea of mud that can be hard to contain. The situation can be made even worse if you have pets, as you will be fighting off muddy paw prints on the carpet every day. There’s a reason why most countryside homes prefer hard flooring solutions, from vinyl flooring to tiled patterns. These are easy to maintain and clean. In short, yes, there will be mud. But it’s only a problem if your home isn’t prepared for it. 

Countryside areas are more likely to be flooded by heavy rain. Many lack the necessary infrastructure to reduce the impact of flooding. Typically, roads have deep trenches on each side to contain the rain. But when these aren’t enough, your garden is at risk. Expert gardeners recommend raising flooded gardens to avoid issues altogether. This will protect your garden from lasting damages and help the soil absorb the excess water gradually. 

Countryside homes are not more exposed to natural risks than their city neighbours. They simply require a new approach. When you escape your tarmac life, the soil environment presents unexpected challenges that can be managed through know-how and best practices. Ultimately, if you are willing to turn the grey tarmac landscapes into a rich soil scenery, you need to make it work! 

Although, on the most part, it can seem like living out in the country is a great thing- people enjoy coming to your home to get to enjoy time outdoors, there are some negatives, too. One of which is the proximity to local amenities. The local pub and village store are lovely places to spend time, but when things go wrong, living far away from everything can be problematic. Say if your washing machine or oven breaks, it could be several days until an appliance repair company can come out to fix it. And delivery from local take-outs? Well, you might be lacking in a variety if you choose to live in the countryside!

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