Raising chickens might sound like a cute little hobby, but there’s a learning curve that’ll humble you real quick. The second someone starts talking about tossing scraps in the coop and leaving eggs out overnight, I know they’ve never had to chase a half-plucked hen at 6 a.m. in the rain. If you’re new to…
Buying land sounds simple—find a pretty piece of dirt and make it yours. But there’s a lot more to it than the listing shows. Most folks don’t realize what they’ve missed until the money’s spent and they’re knee-deep in the next step. If you’re buying land, these are the things you’ll want to plan for…
Moving onto land sounds like freedom—and it is—but it takes a lot more than a house and a driveway to actually live out there. If your land doesn’t already have utilities and infrastructure, you’ll be footing the bill for everything from water access to basic trash service. These are the essentials most people don’t think…
Dirt driveways sound fine in theory. Cheap to build, looks country, no big deal—until you live with one through a couple seasons. We’ve had a few, and I’ll be honest: if you don’t plan for the reality of it, you’re going to be frustrated fast. Here’s what people don’t mention before you commit. It’s Always…
Keeping food cold without electricity might sound impossible, but people have been doing it for centuries—and still do. Whether your power’s out, you’re living off-grid, or you’re in a setup stage on raw land, there are reliable ways to keep food safe. The trick is combining a few old-school methods with modern workarounds that don’t…
Getting power on raw land is a big milestone—but it’s also where a lot of people mess up and spend more than they should. Poor planning, unclear communication, and bad placement can all drive up the cost fast. If you’re setting up utilities, here’s what to watch for before the bill starts climbing. Putting the…
Drilling a well isn’t something you just jump into. If you don’t know what you’re doing—or trust the wrong people to do it for you—you could end up paying a lot more later or wind up with a well that doesn’t meet your needs at all. The goal is to make sure you’re set up…
Farm life isn’t glamorous—it’s a lot of early mornings, last-minute fixes, and trying to get it all done before dark. But the way you set things up can either add stress or take some of the load off. These are the kinds of details that don’t seem urgent until you’re living without them. Water Access…
Getting mail on rural land isn’t as straightforward as throwing up a mailbox and calling it good. Depending on where you live, how far your house is from the road, and what your postal carrier allows, the setup can vary quite a bit. Here’s how to do it right. Check with Your Post Office First…
When you live out in the country, how you set up your house affects your day-to-day way more than it did in a city neighborhood. Some habits you pick up in town don’t carry over well, and they end up adding extra chores, clutter, or stress. Here are the ones I see the most often….