I want to buy land and move to the country in the next 5 years, and 4 steps I'm taking now will get me there

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• I spent most of my life living in large cities before moving to a small town during the pandemic.
• I enjoy my more relaxed pace of life and the extra space, but I'm craving something more - I want a rural setting and a property with land.
• To make it happen, I'm investing in getting my house ready and making arrangements for my parents to relocate with me.

Starting small-town life during the initial months of the pandemic left the city.

I had been searching for a location within commuting distance of the big city when the pandemic hit. I spent eight months, including one of the hottest summers I could recall, stuck in isolation in my small one-bedroom apartment on a congested street, feeling claustrophobic and confined. Those very same walls let in all the many sounds and smells of my neighbors' lives, constantly reminding me why I had made the decision to finally leave the city in the first place.

Finding a new home in a new area was a major undertaking in a rapidly changing market, largely driven by a mass exodus from urban areas. I took it on and successfully made the move in October 2020. I've been enjoying a more relaxed pace of life, a lower cost of living, and the added space ever since.

The experience of living this good life is leaving me feeling thankful. It's also got me thinking about what comes next. I came here seeking peace and quiet, and I've found that. However, now that I have it, I want more. I'm craving more peacefulness, more privacy, and more room to spread out than I can get in town. I've started to dream of owning a piece of land, a rural property with plenty of space. I suppose I've changed my goals - and I've moved them to the country.

My three to five year plan now includes the ambitious financial goal of purchasing a remote property with more land and greater independence. I'm working to bring this dream to life.

I'm making changes to my lifestyle, like learning to operate a vehicle and acquiring a car.

I've survived multiple years without a driver's license, but living in a small town without a car is a real obstacle. It's still weird that my neighbors are still introducing themselves to me after nearly two years of living in my home; without a car in the driveway, people think no one lives here. Honestly, having a car is going to be crucial to my new life. So, I'm saving money to buy my first car, and this summer, you'll find me in a driver's ed classroom with a bunch of 16-year-olds learning the basics of driving.

In 2021, I decided to go fully freelance and have since been developing my businesses and focusing on job opportunities that allow me to have control over my work schedule and location. Initially, when I moved from the city, I thought I'd have to travel into town to work one or two days a week, but like many others, I now firmly believe that working remotely is the way of the future.

As a writer, I'm able to do my work from any location with a reliable internet connection. As a dance teacher, I teach both in-person classes as well as virtual lessons. Once I move to the country, how will I keep my teaching business going? It's always been my dream to have a home studio, which I now have, although it's a relatively small one.

When I finally start looking for a country home, my goal will be to find a property that allows me to either transform an existing outbuilding into a dance studio or build a new one from the ground up. I will work out of my home studio, teaching both in-person and online lessons, with the potential to generate additional income by hosting events, retreats, and artist residencies on the property.

I'm investing in my house and growing my savings.

In regards to my uncertain income. I'm placing a high value on saving.

I reside in my most significant financial asset. My residence is where I live and it brings me a great deal of joy. It also serves as the cornerstone of my plans for financial success. I continuously invest in upgrades to my home, not just for my personal enjoyment, but also to increase its value if I were to sell it in the future.

I'm brainstorming with my parents

I'm a strong supporter of intergenerational living. I spent most of my 20s living overseas, but now that I'm in my 30s and reside within a two-hour drive of my parents and sister, I couldn't imagine being that far away again. This is especially true as my parents continue to age.

When I first left the city, I started casually pushing the idea on my parents to sell their city house and move out to where I now live. Now, I'm thinking about buying my dream farm out in the country with my parents. I'd live in the existing house - in my dreams, it's a classic old brick farmhouse - and we'd convert a barn or another outbuilding, or maybe build a brand new, eco-friendly house on one level, so my parents can age comfortably in style.

We'd want to sell our current homes, team up our money, and invest in a rural site or create a communal lifestyle experience, like a hippie commune. With our combined resources, we might be able to create something truly remarkable that would be out of our budget as individuals.

Of course, this plan's success heavily relies on the housing market. I have a general idea of where I want to relocate, but I'm keeping an open mind and a broad search area. I'm closely monitoring the housing market in neighboring areas and staying informed about up-and-coming neighborhoods. Knowing the market's trends, pricing, and demand will help me bring my financial goals down to earth.

I'm staying in contact with my mortgage advisor.

She was key in helping me get through a really tough time buying my first home. I expect she'll be my trusted advisor when I start looking for the next house. Next, I'll be contacting her for her expert advice, and I'm confident that she'll give me the honest lowdown on what it takes to make it happen.

I'm content with where I'm at now. I've got the room, the peacefulness, and a slower way of living that I was searching for. That new level of comfort is spurring me forward when thinking about what comes next. In my mind, it's all about having even more room, even more peace and quiet, and greater freedom ahead – kind of like an endless field in the rolling countryside.

The article was originally published in June of 2022.

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