Talk About Rural Living

[Kenneth in Texas]

Hard to make a good living in a rural area, especially if a lot of people are related which they will be in a lot of rural areas.

 

[300UGUY]

Hard to make a good living in a rural area, especially if a lot of people are related which they will be in a lot of rural areas.

You got that right. Joke around here is "Everything is relative". I had a friend of mine that passed a couple of years ago, at 59. He lived 56 years on a farm his dad had bought, in 1956. I mentioned that it was unfortunate, losing a local guy like that. Some guy in the diner said " he really isn't local, hid daddy bought the xxxxx place in 56" !!
I think there was some jealousy over him buying a farm that a related local could have bought. Small town thinking.

 

[Kenneth in Texas]

No doubt the local native born locals keep a death grip on things in rural areas. Rural areas are very nice and peaceful BUT if you are of working age it can be very difficult to scratch out a living when joebob and his 2000 relatives control everything around you. If I had to do it over again I would stay in a large city but have some acreage in a rural area for weekend use only.

 

[joecoin]

Wow, I'm kinda confused by this thinking. If you have proper abilities and intelligence you can make a living anywhere in the world.

 

[Kenneth in Texas]

Wow, I'm kinda confused by this thinking. If you have proper abilities and intelligence you can make a living anywhere in the world.

didnt say one couldnt make a living, said its hard to make a good one where most are related.

 

[300UGUY]

In our area, there are just very few jobs that pay very well. You have to commute to Detroit, Ann Arbor, Lansing to find something that pays. Local companies are mostly small suppliers that don't pay much more than minimum wage. At one time, something like 80% of the locals were commuters. One of my neighbor's kids has worked as a welder for 5 years, doing TIG work, almost all stainless steel. Very skilled, has a 2 year degree in welding. He makes $13 per hour, hasn't had a raise in 3 years. He is looking to leave the state, he really wants to stay here, but he and his wife want kids, and can't afford them here. Young folks are still leaving the state, not much opportunity here.

 

[Steppenwolfe]

I agree as well, Of coarse the key is to be mostly self sufficient which is hard work we all know but having a well is half the battle. Having that fresh water in times of need is the key to survival along with plenty of ammo

We have TWO wells... And, a TON of ammo...I'm with you buddy...

 

[Steppenwolfe]

In our area, there are just very few jobs that pay very well. You have to commute to Detroit, Ann Arbor, Lansing to find something that pays. Local companies are mostly small suppliers that don't pay much more than minimum wage. At one time, something like 80% of the locals were commuters. One of my neighbor's kids has worked as a welder for 5 years, doing TIG work, almost all stainless steel. Very skilled, has a 2 year degree in welding. He makes $13 per hour, hasn't had a raise in 3 years. He is looking to leave the state, he really wants to stay here, but he and his wife want kids, and can't afford them here. Young folks are still leaving the state, not much opportunity here.

I just met a guy with a wife and three young kids in Philadelphia who left MI for the same reason. A skilled electrician, also. Very, very nice guy, I kind of felt sorry for him, but at least he did what he had to do.

 

[Bird]

Some guy in the diner said " he really isn't local, hid daddy bought the xxxxx place in 56" !!

This reminds me of when my Dad bought a 10 acre farm in 1951 or '52 near Healdton, OK. Never had to give anyone directions or even tell them what road we lived on; just tell them we lived in the old "Martin" place.:laughing:

And when we moved to Texas in 1956, I remember one of our church members telling Dad that "after you stay 5 years, you'll kinda be accepted."

Small farm communities are sometimes kinda clannish.:laughing:

 

[Country Geek]

No doubt the local native born locals keep a death grip on things in rural areas. Rural areas are very nice and peaceful BUT if you are of working age it can be very difficult to scratch out a living when joebob and his 2000 relatives control everything around you. If I had to do it over again I would stay in a large city but have some acreage in a rural area for weekend use only.

This is why so many people who want country living, live in the exurbs.... in the country but within striking distance of an economic center.