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barrymissy
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| Posted: March 05 2010 at 5:33am | IP Logged
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Hello!!
We just got an accepted purchase agreement on a house that we love dearly, and that will bring us closer to dh's work. We currently live in one city (about 40,000 people), and he commutes to another city (25 mile drive one way). The new house is right in the middle of the two cities, so it is a perfect location for us.
BUT... being in between the two cities puts us in the country with a well and septic, and, and, and, NO high speed internet!!! ACK!! whatever are we going to do?? LOL!
I have not lived in the country since I was a little girl, so I was wondering if anyone has any pointers for me?? we have two neighbors, both in view of our house, but our house is not visible to the road. we will live on a small river, one that you can canoe/tube down but not boat.
we are very excited, but also pretty nervous! 
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Paula in MN
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No high speed internet can be difficult, but it can also be a good thing! Did you look into internet through a satellite provider?
Will you have enough land for a garden? That is the biggest cost saving factor for us. Make sure you read up on what you can flush down the toilet. It is different than being hooked up to city sewer. You should have the well tested, too.
Enjoy the outdoors!
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 Paula
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crusermom
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| Posted: March 05 2010 at 6:43am | IP Logged
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My first thought - get a good outdoor cat for all those critters you find out in the country.
Internet - not too many places now where there is not some solution to the internet problem.
How exciting! I love living in the country.
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Mary
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Angel
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| Posted: March 05 2010 at 7:03am | IP Logged
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There will be mud. Just expect it. 
How much land will you have?
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JodieLyn
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rain/mud boots are a great thing when dealing with mud.. they're easy for even little kids to put on and take off by themself AT THE DOOR.. so the mud doesn't walk through the house
And look at the satellite internet and through a cell phone company.
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Erin
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It sounds wonderful 
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: March 05 2010 at 3:08pm | IP Logged
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Just enjoy!!!!
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Theresa
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Chris V
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| Posted: March 05 2010 at 4:40pm | IP Logged
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Paula in MN wrote:
| Make sure you read up on what you can flush down the toilet. It is different than being hooked up to city sewer. |
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 That's funny! ... but true! I've never actually been hooked up to a city sewer, and yes, you do have to be careful what you flush into a septic!
Indeed!
My dog once drug a (very much alive) Oppossum into my living room on a hot summer's night when I left the back door open. I thought it was one of his stuffed-toys. You can imagine my surprise when I tried to grab (what I thought to be a toy), and the Oppossum stood on his hide legs and hissed at me. It was only then that I noticed that both he, and my dog were a bloody mess from the brawl they had gotten themselves into while outside. My dear dog, bless his heart, was just bringing his "trophy" inside for bragging rites. I laugh now. Not so funny then. I was about 8 months pregnant and my husband was out of town. Anyway, the story ends with me and a shovel and a mad, mad Oppossum. 
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ekbell
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crusermom wrote:
My first thought - get a good outdoor cat for all those critters you find out in the country.
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Depending on the location it's worth noting that some critters are a bit much for a cat!
My parents lost some cats to an owl  . These days they make sure all cats come inside before the owls start hunting.
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juststartn
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| Posted: March 06 2010 at 3:13pm | IP Logged
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We moved to the country two years ago (well, two years April 1). The recommendations on the septic and well are spot on.
I'd recommend a chicken tractor, if you all eat eggs at all--a few hens do not cost much to keep, really, and add greatly to the family (and the tractors are easy to build). How close is the river/creek to your house? Is there much of an incline, or is it likely to flood the backyard every spring/summer? Do you have a way of keeping the children (mostly, the very youngest) out of it?
Cat--a definite at least one...wish we could get one to stay around here, but we've got a dog who is very interested in anything small and furry (we've finally broken him of his love for chasing flying, flapping chickens). Actually, depending on how much acreage you have, and what the situation is with your neighbors/fences, you may want to consider some sort of a...well, a good guard type dog, that will chase off coyotes.
Depending on your set up, whether you have outbuildings already in place, etc, there's a lot you can do on a couple of acres. Definitely a garden (depending on where you are, you may want to look around to see if someone can till it NOW, before you move in, so you're not scampering after you get in there)...
Let's see...ooh. If you have any questions, you can pm me. I was born and raised in the city, but love living out here (we have satellite internet. Depending on whether or not you can find a local provider, and your need to be online, etc, you *can* find some decent deals (right now, we're paying $120/month, but we'll be dropping that down to $40 in another couple of months, once our contract with the first company runs out).
GL!
Rachel
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florasita
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| Posted: March 06 2010 at 3:50pm | IP Logged
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well I always assumed when we move I'd have to go to dialup like at my mother's place but the farm we are putting an offer in on has highspeed internet 7 get this a dishwasher ! Imagine moving to the country in order to get a dishwasher
I'm sure really you will find you use internet far less. I do when out in the country , there is just so much to do ! I second , enjoy !
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lapazfarm
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| Posted: March 06 2010 at 4:59pm | IP Logged
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I'm actually going to disagree about the cat. I love cats and I have one, but I really hate it when I cannot put up a bird feeder or put out seed because he will catch the birds. He has also killed a whole clutch of baby rabbits in one go and stolen baby birds right out of the nest. It is heartbreaking, especially for the children to see. I have a feeling once this cat is dead and gone we will not be replacing him. I'd rather have the occasional mouse and be able to enjoy my feeder birds.
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crusermom
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| Posted: March 08 2010 at 7:23am | IP Logged
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Well, I guess you have to weigh the cat option advice. I didn't think about the birds - my two cats are not too interested in them. They were mistakenly locked in over night with baby chicks one night and in the am we found one cat sleeping with the chicks. But, we do have rattle snakes and coral snakes here and cats supposedly keep them away.
But cat or no cat, ENjoy!!
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Mary
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barrymissy
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| Posted: March 08 2010 at 7:47am | IP Logged
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Thanks, guys!!
the river is a pretty steep drop, i would say about 8 feet right now. i know with the spring thaw it will probably be less. i'm trying to think of a visually pleasing idea to keep the kids away from the river bank. i have nothing so far. lol. close supervision i guess.
there is 2.5 acres. the house is very close to the river, and the lot is narrow, so most of the property is from the road to the house, and there are a lot of pine trees. i definitely want a garden, although i have not had success with one in the past. i've been considering the square foot gardening, it seems like less upkeep and i could put it where ever it is easiest for me. anyone have experience with those?
chickens... i'm tempted, but not sure exactly how much upkeep it would be. definitely something to look into though!
here is a link if anyone wants to see some pics: http://arhouse.com/templates/reales/re_dishomes.cfm?classid= 312801&pids=79,80,81&secure=&idxcomp_id=497&header=arheader2 .cfm&board_id=761&header_pg=arheader2.cfm the listing says 1.7 acres, but we actually contacted the health dept to get information on the septic/well and found out it is 2.5. nice for us! :D
thanks again!!
oh, and we did check into satellite internet, but we don't really want to fork over 120+ a month for it, which is the cheapest i could find for the area. there is a new at&t box at the end of our road (on the closest main road), so we are hoping soon they will have internet at the house! we also looked into the cell tower internet, but we use a lot of internet, and we haven't found an unlimited plan yet. i'm sure it will all work out. if i used internet less that would definitely be a good thing anyway!!
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florasita
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| Posted: March 08 2010 at 9:50am | IP Logged
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Well , kids and water , even with all the distractions , they are just usually attracted to it . The best bet is yes , supervized , but go heavy on the water saftey stuff. swimming lessons is our #1 . All kids have to reach a level we know they be safe until help arrives and they can swim long distance etc. We have one child going on to being an instructor as well .
Just general knowldge of currents , saftey while at the waters edge etc. kids don't even realize they can fall in trying to toos a stone into the water etc. do not climb onto boards , boats , logs etc. especially do not try and float on them . My sister twice was sent into the lake in a boat with no paddles ! She was very young & yes very blessed both times she received help from passers by Our family grew up at the lake but they never knew how to swim properly . My mothers side is almost all fisherpeople and I know they did not swim much . So I am just big on water saftey for our kids , it is a must . I'm starting 3yo grandson this autumn in swim lessons as well .
So some distractions , bunnies, chickens , anyone I know who has a trampoline loves it and our kids certainly love it when we visit . I've friends who absolutely love thier above ground pool . Sanboxes are an ify thing for us because we've a child who spent every warm day in the thing but the other child couldn't be bothered and plants grew up in it
garden is great , grow things that kids like to handle in hand , pick on the spot and eat right there , like mini tomatoes , peas , carrots etc.
Our boys play in the garden come autumn , they bury treasures and hunt for it . building those in ground bug traps are fun too .
Does the river freeze over come winter ? If so cross country ski & snowshoe is a must . Sliding if the bank is good for that .
I'm excited for you should be lots of fun .
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May I rise & rest with words of Gratitude on my Breath
May I have the Heart & Mind of a Child in my Depth
May I forever remember to be a Light
May Peace Love & Hope be My Sight
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Teachin'Mine2
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| Posted: March 08 2010 at 10:12am | IP Logged
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Congratulations!!!
Your house and property sound wonderful! Maybe you can create a small picket fenced area right in the back, so they can freely go outside to play without having immediate worries of the river. Of course kids can climb or open fences, but it might give you a little peace of mind and make it easier to set parameters of where they can go without you with them 100% of the time.
For gardening, my suggestion would be find the site with good full sun, some protection from the wind, and good drainage. Then start small and prepare the soil well. You can start with less fussy plants - like zuccini and squash and try out some different things. Go to a local nursery for your plants, and talk with the people there. They'll have great tips for what and how to grow in your particular area.
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4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: country living
