Dream Post Fire vs Reality

[Kiwi Mustache]

My dream post fire is to move outside of the city (Auckland) and into a smaller town.

The thought for my partner and I was to buy some land, build a house, have a large vegetable garden and a few animals (chickens, pigs, etc) and do lots of hobbies at home and around town that we don't have enough time for working full time jobs.

However, since I've never really tried living like this before, what if it doesn't live up to my dreams and I decide to do something else? I'll never know until I try it.

Anyone else who has FIRE'd that their dream when working and what they do now quite different?

[flyingaway]

I am just wondering why the children of farmers have gone to big cities to look for better opportunities.

[ender]

I am just wondering why the children of farmers have gone to big cities to look for better opportunities.

The grass concrete is always greener.

[KiwiSonya]

Hi Kiwi Mustache, there are thousands of people living this life right now who would be happy to show you their rural paradise. My father in law is one of them. A weekend spent living the life would give you an idea of whether your dream equates with reality.

[Rubic]

The thought for my partner and I was to buy some land, build a house, have a large vegetable garden and a few animals (chickens, pigs, etc) and do lots of hobbies at home and around town that we don't have enough time for working full time jobs.

However, since I've never really tried living like this before, what if it doesn't live up to my dreams and I decide to do something else? I'll never know until I try it.

There are a lot of opportunities in NZ to live for free in an agricultural setting
by helping out with the farming.  Check out: https://www.workaway.info/

You could gain some valuable experience before making a big commitment.

[Mississippi Mudstache]

I am just wondering why the children of farmers have gone to big cities to look for better opportunities.

I you think the lifestyle described by Kiwi Mustache is the typical life of a farmer, then you have some serious misconceptions about modern farming practices.

[Money Badger]

Hi Kiwi Mustache,  Having been to your beautiful island home (Auckland, drove Taupo loop, etc), and being a farm boy...   I also had such romantic notions of returning farm life...   and tried going back in middle age.    I realized the hobby farm life is just as demanding mentally as corporate life and physically not as healthy as the romantic notion as well.    Are you a fan of caring for live-stock, gardens with tractors, heat, cold, insects, storms?    Are you willing to downshift your social life?   And spend a fortune with low returns on capital (as successful farming is a scale business)?

Not all farm life is so bad, but it sure takes a passion to do it and live in some comfort as we get older in retirement.    Or perhaps a smaller town with an acre or so to enjoy a bit of gardening and a chicken coop is a better "gateway drug"?    That allows you the benefits of both and to dive in fully if you and partner are happy with the trend at that point.   Best!

[Roots&Wings]

I'll echo indetured4now. This is a dream for a lot of people...until the reality of maintenance, animal care, etc sets in. That said, some do love it. Give it a try (maybe next vacation?) and see what you think.

There are often housesitting opportunities for these types of rural small farms (since if you ever want to go away/travel, you have to arrange someone to look after everything). A small garden and/or backyard chickens often can meet the desired "dream" without being a massive lifestyle change.

[Hotstreak]

A "large" vegetable garden with space for a chicken coup can actually be accomplished in many major cities on a mid sized lot if you forgo the traditional grass lawn, and assuming you only want to produce enough fruit/veg for 2 people for 2-3 seasons of the year.  My impression of OP is that they don't want any kind of serious sized farm (and  I think this is true for most people who want to "retire to the country").

As for changing your mind after trying something new, I cannot speak for retirement since I'm not there yet!  But I have definitely started new things I thought I would enjoy, only to back out later.  I don't think there's any way to know for sure without trying for yourself.  I would recommend renting a place in the town you're looking at for a year and live your partial lifestyle.  Raise a garden and perhaps a chicken coop, as far as the landlord lets you.  You may find yourself yearning for more, satisfied with where you are, or realizing that this lifestyle isn't for you.  Whatever happens, there's your answer!

[arebelspy]

The thought for my partner and I was to buy some land, build a house, have a large vegetable garden and a few animals (chickens, pigs, etc) and do lots of hobbies at home and around town that we don't have enough time for working full time jobs.

However, since I've never really tried living like this before, what if it doesn't live up to my dreams and I decide to do something else? I'll never know until I try it.

There are a lot of opportunities in NZ to live for free in an agricultural setting
by helping out with the farming.  Check out: https://www.workaway.info/

You could gain some valuable experience before making a big commitment.

+1.

Google WWOOF.

[Dicey]

If you're not a natural homebody, I'd recommend keeping it small. Livestock needs to be fed 365 without fail. I second/third ARS's suggestion. Also, scrubbyfish has done this. Drop her a pm, because she may have closed out the journal wherein she detailed her experiences.

[arebelspy]

Also, look into housesits.

The wife and I did a housesit where we watched a small homestead in Australia--2 dogs, a cat, 9 chickens, 4 alpacas.  A good sized garden, though it was winter so we didn't have to do much with that.

Lots of ways to get a taste for it before you dive in.

[Sammiecakes]

I am just wondering why the children of farmers have gone to big cities to look for better opportunities.

Well...often hard to meet a significant other on a farm your family owns!

[flyingaway]

I currently spend more time to take care of my tiny vegetable garden and a few fruit trees in my front and back yards than I do for my real job. Believe me, it is not fun to be a farmer. A lot of things depend upon weather, too much sun, too little rain, pest control, etc. If you have chickens, fish, pigs, you will be tied to your farm, and that is not FIRE.

[arebelspy]

If you have chickens, fish, pigs, you will be tied to your farm, and that is not FIRE.

It's maybe not your definition of FIRE. But it may be some people's.

It'll definitely be work though.

[ender]

I currently spend more time to take care of my tiny vegetable garden and a few fruit trees in my front and back yards than I do for my real job. Believe me, it is not fun to be a farmer. A lot of things depend upon weather, too much sun, too little rain, pest control, etc. If you have chickens, fish, pigs, you will be tied to your farm, and that is not FIRE.

*for you

Plenty of people love being self sufficient and pursuing that goal.

[Mississippi Mudstache]

I currently spend more time to take care of my tiny vegetable garden and a few fruit trees in my front and back yards than I do for my real job. Believe me, it is not fun to be a farmer. A lot of things depend upon weather, too much sun, too little rain, pest control, etc. If you have chickens, fish, pigs, you will be tied to your farm, and that is not FIRE.

I grew up in a rural area where we maintained a 1-acre garden, several fruit trees, grape vines, and blueberry bushes, and we raised cows, sheep, pigs, and horses. We certainly put a lot of work into it, but it didn't even come close to a single full-time occupation. It took up a lot of our Saturdays and summers, but it was definitely fun, and I have the same dream for my own family - minus the livestock. I think chickens are about as much as I want to handle in that regard. Livestock is far more labor-intensive than fruit and vegetable gardening.

[MsRichLife]

Or perhaps a smaller town with an acre or so to enjoy a bit of gardening and a chicken coop is a better "gateway drug"?    That allows you the benefits of both and to dive in fully if you and partner are happy with the trend at that point.   Best!

This is ultimately what we've decided to do. We've bought one acre on the edge of a small town. It's within walking distance to everything in town, but we have the space and rural views we desired.

[Metric Mouse]

Or perhaps a smaller town with an acre or so to enjoy a bit of gardening and a chicken coop is a better "gateway drug"?    That allows you the benefits of both and to dive in fully if you and partner are happy with the trend at that point.   Best!

This is ultimately what we've decided to do. We've bought one acre on the edge of a small town. It's within walking distance to everything in town, but we have the space and rural views we desired.

This is a great option.  My area is very similar, and I love that I can be in the center of night life in ten minutes, and surrounded by fields and cows and horse pastures ten minutes in the other direction.

[Salim]

We moved to a semi-rural area and set up a mini-farm about 12 years ago. We love it here...most of the time...but there have been many challenges, from arsenic in the well to a horse breaking a leg while running away from a falling tree that was hit by lightning. Most of the farmers we meet seem to have a permanently glum expression. Accidents and injuries on farms are very common; I've had many, but I've learned to be more careful, too. Lots of repairs and maintenance to do. I think most people would not blame you if you decide to give it a try and later change your mind.

The good parts can be wonderful: communing with nature and animals every day, escaping from traffic noise, growing food, getting fit from doing chores, hiking and birdwatching from your door anytime you want, watching people you love enjoy the beautiful countryside when they come to visit.

One more thought...there are ways to set things up that will make things a bit easier for you, so plan ahead. Some things that help us are good electricity, outlets, and hot and cold water in the barn, stalls that open directly to pens and grassy areas to help keep animals happy and healthy, good fencing, and strategically placed frost free hydrants. Best of luck to you!

[Exflyboy]

The lady where DW used to board her horse.. Well I have often seen her in tears through the stress of when something unexpected happens, like the tractor blows a hydraulic seal unexpectedly (and of course it always happens when your about to use it for some important job).

Farm machinery takes a lot of maintenance.. Better be a great mechanic as well as a farmer.

I think it has to be a passion because it always looks like a heck of a lot of work for not much return IMHO.

[Metric Mouse]

Farm machinery takes a lot of maintenance.. Better be a great mechanic as well as a farmer.

I think it has to be a passion because it always looks like a heck of a lot of work for not much return IMHO.

So true. It really is a calling. But I, for one, am very glad that people are willing to do it. Truly one of the building blocks of modern society.

[BTDretire]

I am just wondering why the children of farmers have gone to big cities to look for better opportunities.

 And, I wonder why anyone would want pigs and chickens to look after!
To each their own.

[Venturing]

We have sort of done what you're talking about.

We bought 7 hectares and a family home in a tiny village only 5 minutes outside of a regional city. We have the benefits of being part of a community (school across the road, kindy next door, pub and shop only a 2 minute walk away) but still very close to the city for other needs/hobbies.

By local standards our place was relatively expensive because it's in such a prime location but it's cheaper than your average Auckland home.

We absolutely love it here but one thing to keep in mind is that a lifestyle block is guaranteed to be more work than you expect. As an example: we had been here literally a week when we got a call from the council telling us that they had found a noxious weed on our property that we are required to deal with annually. But you can also control how high maintenance the property is. Eg we have cattle, sheep and chooks but deliberately don't have any milking animals. All we really need to do every day is have a quick look at the animals and check that everyone looks happy and well. There are a million things we would like to do to the property but we approach it as enjoyable hobby.

[BuffaloStache]

A "large" vegetable garden with space for a chicken coup can actually be accomplished in many major cities on a mid sized lot if you forgo the traditional grass lawn, and assuming you only want to produce enough fruit/veg for 2 people for 2-3 seasons of the year. 

This. And don't forget about the Aquaponics option if livestock aren't your thing but you want to try something more diverse out: http://www.mrmoneymustache.com/2014/10/20/aquaponics/

[spokey doke]

it really depends on the scale/extent of what you take on...a big garden, a few fruit trees and a handful of chickens can certainly keep you well occupied without being a major burden (but can certainly but a crimp in your travel plans).  I hope you also like to cook, pickle, make jam, and the like - because that begs to be a part of the scene.

like others suggest, getting some experience now seems to be prudent - any urban gardens in your area?  Any place where you can grow anything (even just container gardening?).  I share your dream, but I've also done the work before and know what I want to take on and what I don't, based on experience.  I love gardening, chopping wood, and having space with some solitude and once my wife retires, we might head to the country again.  I'm not so keen on livestock.

I also dream of sailing full-time, but am not about to pursue that one seriously, as I don't have enough experience to justify the leap to myself.

[Cannot Wait!]

I just house sat for a couple on their farm.  They put their chickens and pigs in the freezer, and their garden was done so they headed off for fun in the sun.
You could pad the stache a little more if you wanted to have extra in case you needed to change direction if it didn't work out. 

[chasesfish]

I am just wondering why the children of farmers have gone to big cities to look for better opportunities.

I think you have to experience the world to decide what fits for you...

I grew up in a small town and have subsequently worked in two small towns and two top 10 cities, it takes experience to know what is right for you

[Much Fishing to Do]

I think one of the huge benefits of FIRE is what you chose to do next is just what you choose to do next, you can do something else after that, just about anything given you can live wherever you want to.  Just be careful not to create any handcuffs for yourself.  Someone who spends 10% of their net worth on a place and then turns around and changes their mind and sells it a year later at a 10% loss only lost 1% of their net worth through the process...buying something with a significant percentage of your net worth and/or would be tough to resell could create a new barrier to your freedom.

[BuffaloStache]

Someone who spends 10% of their net worth on a place and then turns around and changes their mind and sells it a year later at a 10% loss only lost 1% of their net worth through the process...buying something with a significant percentage of your net worth and/or would be tough to resell could create a new barrier to your freedom.

Great point. This is exactly why my FI goals are to amass savings that do not include my home, which is in the middle of the road for cost of living in the US.

[Metric Mouse]

Someone who spends 10% of their net worth on a place and then turns around and changes their mind and sells it a year later at a 10% loss only lost 1% of their net worth through the process...buying something with a significant percentage of your net worth and/or would be tough to resell could create a new barrier to your freedom.

Great point. This is exactly why my FI goals are to amass savings that do not include my home, which is in the middle of the road for cost of living in the US.

Right? Sometimes it's mentally hard to take that loss... but really, it's almost negligible in its impact. Once one realizes that, maybe home ownership isn't the ball and chain it's often made out to be.

[Playing with Fire UK]

Someone who spends 10% of their net worth on a place and then turns around and changes their mind and sells it a year later at a 10% loss only lost 1% of their net worth through the process...buying something with a significant percentage of your net worth and/or would be tough to resell could create a new barrier to your freedom.

Great point. This is exactly why my FI goals are to amass savings that do not include my home, which is in the middle of the road for cost of living in the US.

Right? Sometimes it's mentally hard to take that loss... but really, it's almost negligible in its impact. Once one realizes that, maybe home ownership isn't the ball and chain it's often made out to be.

It would be negligible for many here, but outside these boards someone's home equity can easily exceed their NW. We don't talk enough (IMO) about how much of your NW a home would be when discussing rent v buy. I think a more focused question is how much money you could lose if you needed to sell in a down market and what impact would this have on your NW/ego/emotional security?

[Metric Mouse]

It would be negligible for many here, but outside these boards someone's home equity can easily exceed their NW. We don't talk enough (IMO) about how much of your NW a home would be when discussing rent v buy. I think a more focused question is how much money you could lose if you needed to sell in a down market and what impact would this have on your NW/ego/emotional security?

I think that is because home equity affecting NW does not give any useful metric for judging a person's financial situation.