For many Canadians who are sick of their city lifestyles, a transition to life in rural Ontario may sound especially appealing. Rural Ontario is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of urban life, and relax in seclusion if you feel the desire to do so.
However, making the shift to a more rural lifestyle, especially if you are used to the speed and connectivity of big cities like Vancouver and Toronto, can be extremely difficult. There are certain things you will need to learn or arrange for to make sure your life in rural Ontario is comfortable and that you get as much out of it as possible.
If you are moving or currently live in rural Ontario but would like to maintain the comforts of an urban or suburban life, consider three main areas to focus on: modern day creature comforts, preparedness, and connectivity.
Set up creature comforts like internet
If you have lived in the city before, you are likely used to a certain level of internet speed. For rural areas in Canada, the internet is not as fast nor as easy to access as it is in the more urban areas. If you want to maintain your comfort in terms of internet connectivity while you are living in rural Ontario, you will want to invest some time and money in finding a high-quality internet provider.
Companies such as Wave Direct specialize in rural internet in Ontario, so you will never have to miss out on a critically-acclaimed Netflix original or a funny new meme on Twitter. Typically, rural internet options include satellites, so you will need to rent a satellite dish in order to take full advantage of the connectivity.
Always be prepared
Part of living in a rural or secluded area is that you are far away from places like the grocery stores, gas stations, and health clinics. For that reason, it is important that you always be prepared for emergencies or extreme weather. Sub zero temperatures and frozen ground, for instance, could keep you inside for multiple days in the winter.
If that is the case, it is good to have an emergency supply kit with extra gasoline for your car or truck, foods with high shelf lives such as canned foods, and any medicines your household needs as well as first aid products. Other items to consider keeping in case of an emergency are backup generators, batteries, hand cranked radios, plenty of water, flashlights, and a whistle or flares in case you need to signal for help.
Know your closest neighbors
A big tip for staying safe and connected while you live in rural Ontario is to know who and where your closest neighbors are. Having a good relationship with these people can become very important if you have any emergencies or simply need advice for living in the area. In addition to it being important for your safety, knowing your neighbors can make you feel more comfortable and less alone while you are living in relative seclusion in rural Ontario.
A study found that people lose closeness with even their best friends when they move to a rural environment, so it is important that if you live in a rural area that you at least develop new friendships with people who are geographically close to you. You can beat the odds of the study, even when you move to a rural area, if you keep the above tips in mind and make sure you stay safe and connected!
Whether you’re over the busy city life or have other reasons to move to a rural town, you need to be prepared. By getting a few things taken care of before your move, you can be sure to enjoy the serenity and peace such locations offer.
