I grew up in a big city and, until recently, lived in big cities. I achieved my goal of buying my first home by moving from the city to a small town in the early days of this pandemic.
I was already hunting for a place near a big city when the plague hit. I spent eight months, including the hottest summer I can remember, alone in my small one-room apartment on a busy street, feeling like the walls were chasing me away. Those very walls emitted many sounds and smells of the life of my neighbors, always reminding me why I decided to finally leave the city.
House-hunting in a new area in an overheated market — thanks to mass migration from the big city — was like taking on another full-time job. But I did it. I moved in October 2020 and have been enjoying the low speeds, low cost of living, and increased square footage ever since.
This taste of good life makes me feel grateful. It also makes me think about what my next steps might be. I came looking for peace, and I found it. But now I want more. More peace, more privacy, and more green space around than I could live in the city. Now, I dream of having a property, a rural property with enough space. I guess you could say I removed the numbers – and moved them to the country.
My three to five year plan now includes the lofty financial goal of buying a remote property with more land and freedom. Here is how I am working to make my dream come true.
I’m making life changes, like learning to drive and buying a car
I was able to go years without a driver’s license, but living in a small town without a car is a challenge. I still have neighbors who welcome me in that area after almost two years of living in my home; no car in the driveway means no people in the house. But seriously, having a car is going to be an important part of my new life. To that end, I’m saving up to buy my first car, and this summer, you’ll find me in a classroom with a bunch of 16-year-olds learning how to drive.
I became fully independent in the summer of 2021 and have been actively building my businesses and focusing on opportunities that give me complete control over how and where I work. Although at first I left town, thinking I would have to go to work once or twice a week, I, like many others, now firmly believe that remote work is the future.
As a writer, I can do my work from anywhere with a good internet connection. In my career as a dance teacher, I also teach private classes. How will I do my teaching job when I move to the country? It has always been my dream to have a home studio, which I have now, albeit a modest one.
When I finally start hunting for my country home, I will be looking for a property that will allow me to convert an existing building into a dance studio or build one from scratch. I will be working out of my home studio, teaching in-person and authentic courses, with the opportunity for funding to host events, retreats, and artist workshops on site.
I am investing in my home and building my savings
As for getting my financial ducks in a row to make my new dream come true, I’m periodically increasing my monthly contributions to my savings account in relation to my ever-changing income. . I prioritize saving.
I am currently living my biggest investment. It’s my home, and I love it. It is also the key to my lofty financial goals. I always invest in improving my home, not only to enjoy it, but also to increase the resale value of my home.
I am planning with my parents
He is a big advocate of a multi-faceted lifestyle. I lived overseas for most of my 20’s and now I’m in my 30’s and live a two hour drive from my parents and sister , I can’t imagine living that far away again. Especially as my parents are getting older.
When I first left the city, I started campaigning for my parents to sell their house in the big city and move to my new neck of the woods. Now, I am making a plan to buy a property that I like with my parents. I would live in the existing building – in my dreams, it’s an old red brick farmhouse – and we would either convert a barn or other outbuilding or maybe build a new stable, derelict house. all in one measure so that my parents can grow old comfortably. and style.
Everyone sold their houses, we pooled our money and bought a piece of land. Or start a hippy commune or kibbutz. We will see. The additional purchasing power that the three of us would have by pooling our resources would enable us to create something unique that would otherwise have been out of our financial reach.
In fact, much of the success of this project depends on the housing market. I have an idea of where I want to live, but I’m keeping my mind and my search space open. I’ve been watching the housing market in the surrounding areas and learning about upcoming areas. Having a clear understanding of market trends, prices and demand will help me to lower my lofty financial goals.
I am contacting my mortgage broker
Finally, I maintain close ties with my amazing salesperson, the brilliant and amazing Lisa Okun. He was instrumental in helping me navigate a very difficult market when buying my first home. I suspect it will be my secret weapon on my next house hunt. After that: I will be trying to pick his great brain about my plans, and I hope he will give me the real light to make things happen.
I am happy where I am. I have the space, peace, and wellness I’ve been looking for. I’m always looking forward, thinking about what’s next. For me, it’s more space, more quiet, more freedom and it looks like an open field in the countryside.
This article was originally published in June 2022.
