HGTV’s Property Brothers share what It really takes to live on a ranch

If you’ve been daydreaming about fresh air, wide-open spaces, and raising animals out where the stars shine bright, you’re not alone. Interest in ranch living has been growing, and the Property Brothers—yep, Drew and Jonathan—are leaning into it with their HGTV series Chasing the West.

But before you trade traffic for tractors, it’s worth listening to what they’ve learned from growing up on a working ranch and helping others make that move. Ranch life has its perks, but it also comes with real challenges you need to be ready for.

Here’s what you should actually know before heading out to the country.

It’s a Lifestyle, Not a Weekend Project

Ranch living isn’t something you do halfway. It affects your whole day, your priorities, and your budget. If you’re used to popping down the road for coffee or same-day shipping, you’ll have to adjust. Living out on land means thinking ahead—whether it’s planning for weather, restocking supplies, or managing livestock.

That said, it’s not all stress and logistics. If you enjoy hard work and don’t mind getting your hands dirty, ranch life can be incredibly rewarding. You set your own pace, you see the results of your effort, and you learn to rely on yourself in ways you might not have had to before.

You’re Going to Need a Lot More Skills

Owning property out in the country comes with a learning curve. You’ll probably deal with things like well water, septic systems, soil quality, and spotty internet. And if you’ve got animals or want to grow crops, there’s even more to figure out—feed schedules, fencing, rotation, storage, and equipment.

The Property Brothers say this kind of living taught them how to fix what breaks and work through problems instead of outsourcing everything. You don’t have to know it all upfront, but you do need to be willing to learn—or you’ll end up frustrated fast.

It’s Hard Work—Every Single Day

One of the biggest takeaways the Property Brothers emphasize is how much work ranch life requires. There’s no off-season when you’re raising animals or maintaining land. Fences need patching, animals need feeding, and machinery breaks at the worst time.

But if you’re prepared for it, the work can be fulfilling. It forces you to slow down and pay attention. You start living in tune with the seasons instead of fighting against them. It can be exhausting, but the peace and purpose that come with it are hard to find anywhere else.

The Community Is Tighter Than You’d Expect

City life can make it hard to know your neighbors. But out in the country, that flips. In small towns and rural areas, people tend to show up for each other—especially during busy times like harvest or calving season. The Property Brothers say they always worked with neighbors to track down animals that wandered off or pitch in when someone needed help.

You don’t need to be the most social person to live on a ranch, but don’t be surprised if you end up feeling more connected to the people around you than you ever did in the city.

You’ll Need to Be Realistic About the Animals

It’s easy to romanticize farm animals—horses grazing in a field, goats playing by the fence, chickens pecking around the yard. But those animals take time, money, and constant care. The Property Brothers warn against jumping in without fully understanding what’s involved.

If you’re getting into ranch life for the animals, do your homework first. Know what they eat, how often they need care, and how to keep them healthy. Cute doesn’t cut it when you’re dealing with illness, predators, or injuries.

The Outdoors Becomes Your Daily Life

You won’t be spending much time inside when you live on a ranch. Everything from feeding to fixing happens outside, and weather plays a bigger role than most people expect. It’s not about squeezing in a weekend hike—it’s about living with the land every day.

That might mean snow in the winter, mud in the spring, and hot, dry days in the summer. But if you love being outside and can adapt to the elements, it can be the best part of the lifestyle. You stop scrolling and start noticing—the land has a way of pulling your focus back where it belongs.

*This article was developed with AI-powered tools and has been carefully reviewed by our editors.