Moving from dual-income city living to one-income country living

[Dana]

I haven't made the move from city to country, but we have made the leap from 100% of our income to 50% of our income. We took a big income drop 8 years ago when we decided to have a full-time stay at home parent.

As other posters have mentioned, with a big lifestyle change comes opportunity to do things differently. We no longer have my full time income, but we also don't have my commuting costs, wardrobe costs, drycleaning costs, eating-lunch-at-work costs and other less obvious costs have gone down; I am home so I cook more = less processed foods and less prepackaged foods, I am home so I have more time to plan shopping trips = shopping on sale, shopping less often and spending less, no cleaning lady (still really miss her though :-/), cheaper car insurance (no one drives to work). Since one person is home all week, we don't have to spend weekends running errands and doing chores (except for laundry - THANKS to TOU!) so we have time to relax and recharge.

Our quality of life is the same if not better than it was 8 years ago, so it all works out for the best.

[Jon_Snow]

I moved from West Vancouver to Hornby Island 2 years ago. It is about 14K return to the store (grocery, hardware, liquor, library, clinic)... What I found was that rather than hopping in the car at every turn ( several times a day), I hop in the car twice (3 tops) a week.

I simply don't spend the money I used to when I lived in the city.

I have property on one of the other Gulf Islands, and I agree the ability to spend money is much hampered by living there.... which is a good thing to me. Relocating there is one of the factors which should help me to retire early. Ferry costs are a serious downside though....

[steve41]

I can travel from Hornby Island to West Vancouver for less than $30. Seniors ride the ferries free (as walk-ons) from Monday to Thursday. I can grab a Bus from Buckley Bay to Nanaimo for under $30.... Then a city bus from Horseshoe Bay to West Van. Nothing to it. (Mind you.... driving is more convenient, but costs a fair bit more)

Why anyone would want to leave HI for the big smoke is another story.

[Four Pillars]

We went to one income when our first child was born. As Dana said, there are a lot of benefits to having one person around the house and available to do errands etc during the day. Of course, you pay for it with less income, but it's not all bad.

I had to Google Petawawa to see where it was. Very close to Algonquin park which is a great place for camping. You can do any kind of canoe trip there, tent camping, rent a cabin (just outside the main park). You might even be close enough to do day trips - they have a number of really good hiking trails - from a 2 km flat trail to much longer and more difficult trails.

My fave thing about Algonquin is the moose in the spring - go there in May and they will be lined up along the side of the road.

[Sustainable PF]

Petawawa isn't the "country" per se. IIRC it has a military base? If so, there will be lots of amenities close by. Also, Ottawa is about an hour (?) south east to help you get your "fix" of a larger city. Perhaps you could live 1/2 way between Petawawa and Ottawa in order to help you find work as well?

I grew up in this neck of the wood (excuse the pun) but a bit further south. +1 to Four Pillars - Algonquin is a FANTASTIC park.

Best of luck.

[eyelessluz]

just move to region like quebec and have more kids then it might definetely help, this is basically how immigrant did

[kcowan]

Nothing to it. (Mind you.... driving is more convenient, but costs a fair bit more)

Why anyone would want to leave HI for the big smoke is another story.

And when you are retired, you can plan your quiet time activities like reading for when you are travelling so the commute time comes "free".

[jamesbe]

Was about to say the same as sustainable. Petewawa is not really the country, it's a small town, very close to Pembroke as well. Depending on your aspirations finding a job may very well be a possibility. I'm going to assume this is military because of the location and "we found out where we are moving to."

Most people moving to petewawa just buy smaller homes, the homes are very affordable so your living costs may decrease coming from Winnipeg.

[rikk]

Was about to say the same as sustainable. Petewawa is not really the country, it's a small town, very close to Pembroke as well. Depending on your aspirations finding a job may very well be a possibility. I'm going to assume this is military because of the location and "we found out where we are moving to."

Most people moving to petewawa just buy smaller homes, the homes are very affordable so your living costs may decrease coming from Winnipeg.

I'm with the other posters familiar with the area ... it is an outdoorsy area especially towards Deep River, Algonquin Park ... and Pembroke is nearby if you're looking for work. Hmmm ... that's got me thinking ... haven't been up that way for quite a while ... maybe I'll take a drive up ... I'm in Ottawa.

[Pigzfly]

I agree with what most have said here.
We live in a small town and know for a fact that we spend less money than our friends in cities do. We have spent time with them on what amounts to a 'typical' weekend and it is extremely more expensive there. We spent our average month's dining out/bar money in 2 days!

This is a bit more of a unique case, but for my SO, you have to take your lunch, or you get to eat from the vending machine or soup stash in your desk. Also, there is transportation provided to and from work, but everyone lives in several communities, so that means that there isn't much after work socializing at bars.

We find that a lot of the activities that we do only require initial outlay for equipment and are very affordable after that. Ie - mountain bikes and/or downhill bikes. If you want a lift pass for downhilling in the summer, it is only $150. (Need to go 3 times to make it better than day tickets). Cross country skiing, camping, hiking, hunting, skiing (passes are approx $150/month ea for the season), kayaking, frisbee golf, there are lots.

Be prepared for a lifestyle change from the city, for sure, but it should work out okay. Do not be surprised if you find yourself wanting to make some capital purchases to let you take advantage of a change of scenery!

Need to run, have to walk to work today.