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Self-Sufficiency in Style

the locality

Where should we buy or rent our house and land?

 This is perhaps the most important article on this site.

It covers difficult issues.

By locality, we mean country, province and maybe even county.

The English, in particular, although by no means exclusively, view their countryside through rose coloured spectacles.

It is a dream world for them, far removed from the reality.

Generations of poets and writers have created and refined this world into something that has never and will never exist.

Try talking to an Irishwoman or a Continental man about how they feel about their countryside.

You will probably get a completely different picture of a backward existence that they were glad to avoid for the civilisation of the cities.

Civilised Cities

 

Idyllic Countryside?

 The romantic sees flower carpeted meadows and country lanes, roaring log fires and fine country fare.

These actually do exist or can be created.

But they also see a landscape full of welcoming people, a social warmth that does not exist in urban society; of friendly helpful neighbours and a community life that includes affability and security.
The man sees the chance to drop into the pub for a quiet pint, the woman sees the Woman's Institute or similar as a focus for the proverbial jam making and new friends.

They may even contemplate church going once again, drawn out by the sound of bells on a summer Sunday

A drink in the pub.

Nothing could be further from the reality. 

The pub shut five years ago, the members of the Woman's Institute are a declining group of eighty year old misfits not interested in welcoming anyone.

The school has closed and the shop a distant memory.

The church has no vicar and no congregation and the only time you will have anything to do with the bells is when someone calls to collect money for their restoration.
In real life, of course, the countryside shares most of the social problems of twenty-first century civilisation - and adds a few of its own.

It is a sad situation. It should not deter anyone seeking a new life in the countryside, but it should forewarn them to be realistic on such matters.

You can't run away from life's people problems in the country any more than you can in a town.

Boundaries give constant difficulties. Footpaths the same. Homesteaders must be aware that these may be unsolvable and should take great care.

Many rural communities are insular. They do not like outsiders buying land and property, even though they like selling it for a good price to anyone.

If you buy a property outside your own area, you will have outbid a local. There will be resentment, just as there would be in a town. The difference is that that you will have to live alongside the unsuccessful purchaser and his or her bitterness.
The more of an outsider you are, the greater any antipathy and the more difficult it will be to settle into a new community.

This certainly applies in areas where the language, culture and religion is different than your own, but, what is generally not appreciated is that, the same problems on a smaller scale exist everywhere.

Differences in accent and background will count against you everywhere in the rural world.

Ignored

Self-sufficiency is not about views - fortunately

Many people reading this will be upset at such a gloomy assessment.

They may have seen a wonderful property set in postcard countryside whilst on holiday. The price is instantly affordable and the estate agent or auctioneer says the local community are welcoming. The seller says much the same.

But they would say that, wouldn't they? To them the local people are welcoming and they want the sale.

The price is cheap because it is a very depressed area - and you do not need a view of mountains and lakes to become Self-Sufficient in Style.

So, we advise you to stay as close as you can to your existing home. 

You will have the support of friends and family and will be less dependant on making new friends.

A new area can be exciting, but it can often be a little too exciting. 

You might wonder at the writer's experience to give such dire warnings and might be entertained or horrified by the Refugee.

Try reading Second Wave for more advice on moving away.

Or, unabashed and determined to start a new life in South East Asia, you can go on to think about the House and Outbuildings.

or if undecided you could consider a trail as suggested in Taste and See.

Old friends matter

"staying close to home"

just as we did with 

 the uninvitingly  named Hangman's Cottage, just to the south of Misery Corner.

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