The REAL Reasons People Homestead
The REAL Reasons People Homestead
Here are the real reasons people leave town & start a homestead.
Modern homesteading is a way for people to build a more intentional, sustainable, and self-reliant lifestyle that values simplicity, community, and connection to the land. But what are the deep down reasons? It’s a big change to leave the city and remove yourself & your family from the urbanization of the 21st century world to a piece of land. Let’s find out what drives the decision.
Urban Life
People are tired of the fast-paced, stressful, and often isolating nature of city life. They feel disconnected from nature, struggle to build meaningful relationships, or find it challenging to afford a comfortable lifestyle in a city. There is a feeling of confinement found in many urban areas and a growing sense of anxiety about safety, security and threats from the millions of people surrounding you and your family.
For some, the desire to leave city life behind is driven by a growing awareness of the negative impact of urbanization on the physical and mental health of the people who live there. They have an overwhelming feeling of escapism, often feeling trapped by circumstances that are completely beyond their control.
Suburban Life
Suburbia isn’t faring much better than the urban areas. Large subdivisions of tract homes with cookie cutter similitudes have taken over previously rural land, with their endless HOA rules, nosy neighbors, crime, one way in-one way out insecurity combined with long commutes in and out of the city— are still leaving many feeling frustrated and lost.
Simple Desires
The desire for a simpler, more connected, and sustainable lifestyle call many to abandon urban areas and embrace a rural lifestyle. Rural life isn’t easy, but it is simple. Caring for a homestead, working the land, crops and animals require physical labor that is often accompanied by rhythmic movement. The rhythm, combined with natural elements of wind, sun, etc work wonders on the neurotransmitters of our brains. It may even be that people get a taste of this feeling on a vacation and the lasting impression drives the dream to live simply.
Soaring Costs of Home Ownership
Millions of adults can’t buy a home. Homeownership in the United States has tanked in the last few years, forcing & keeping millions of people renting who want to own a home. It’s not impossible to homestead from a rental, but why would anyone want to? It makes little sense to pour a huge investment of time, funds and labor into a project that you will have to leave behind when you move.
Land isn’t much more affordable than homes are, unless you look in the right places. The biggest difference is that land can often be picked up on terms from the seller. Owner financing in land deals is pretty common, and it’s a sound business model for investors. We bought our first two properties this way when we were broke. Small down payments and very low monthly payments make this an attractive option for buyers who don’t have the credit or income requirements for traditional lending.
Food Quality & Cost
Recalls, contamination, genetically modified ingredients and now mRNA vaccinations of livestock being concealed by big ag have us all questioning what we’re consuming on a daily basis. There isn’t space here to go into the horrors of the food industry and others have treated the subject in depth. Food is major driving force behind the homesteading movement.
Most adults understand we are being poisoned on purpose. Our children have been poisoned and we not only allowed it, we provided it. It is a major regret we have as parents raising kids in the 90s & early 00s, our ignorance and gullibility subjected our kids to years of toxic junk.
Energy Vulnerability
The energy grid in the western world, particularly the US, is old. It’s also increasingly vulnerable to attack and sabotage, whether from the unknown perpetrators or our own leaders, the fact is that the electrical grid is a disaster in the making. And the news is prepping you for a coming event. Who wants to be in the city when it happens? Anyone? Bueller?
Building an alternative energy source is a primary focus for most homesteads. The rural nature of the property can necessitate it, as it can be cost prohibitive to have grid power delivered to remote locations. We have both on and off grid power at our homestead. We’re fortunate to live in an area with reasonable electric rates, but we’re working on solar, wind & hydro systems to eventually replace the grid.
Everything is FUBAR
Nothing is right anymore. Nothing feels right. It’s all just a fubar mess out there. The economy, banking meltdowns, housing crisis, demented leadership, dollar demise, pandemics, lockdowns, crisis after crisis coming down the pike — it’s an endless nightmare of disintegration we all knew was coming.
Exit Stage Left
Homesteading is changing. It’s not just about growing your own food and pooping in a bucket anymore. The movement is made up of all kinds of people who are looking for one thing in common —- an exit. A wave of refugees is leaving the cities in search of a portal to a better life down a country road. We’re here to help you find your way. Subscribe below.
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