Would you move?

[grenfell]

Featherstick has voiced the sort of concerns that I would have , getting old , frail and sick could be a hindrance . Living "out in the wilds" involves harder work without a doubt. I have friends who have a property in wales . It's not quite as remote as Northern Sweden but it's around 20 miles from a town and its facilities . Neither of my friends are what could be described as preppers , they don't grow their own food or anything like that. The husband wants to move down there permanently being attracted by the views and quietness . His wife also likes the countryside for its peacefulness and walks but has serious reservations about living there all the time. She doesn't drive and access is down a small lane which has been completely blocked with snow on a couple of occasions. Again they are both in their late fifties with a few medical problems , nothing serious but that again is another nagging doubt.
The advice I offered was to go and live there for six months , say august onwards , without returning here , to fully experience the area. If it doesn't work out there is still then the option of returning to what they have now. I don't know whether MissAnpassad has the ability to try such a thing , after all it involves keeping the current home going at the same time , but maybe something to think about.

[sniper 55]

Personally I'd be off like a shot, that sounds like my idea of peace, but then I'm fine with my own company and like the outdoors. Not everybody can cope with being alone a lot though.
It's a big decision to make so I would suggest you take your time and think it all through.

[BadgerSE]

Write a list of positives and negatives of your new found venture.

If there are more positives on the list, then do it - or at least try it. I swear by this kind of list.

If you can spend a few months trying to live out there first before you commit to anything then give that a shot.

[Arzosah]

I totally agree on the medical and ageing issues, but Miss Anpassad already covered that, I thought. Its a massive decision, though, it does need going over with a fine toothcomb.

[junmist]

I would do a bit more research first. Do other people keep goats in the area and how do they cope in the winter months and with your health could you do it. As it has already been said do a test run even if it is only for a couple of weeks in the summer treat it as a job and not a holiday, also a written contract between you and your friends family is a good idea and will give you an idea of what to expect in the future i.e. if the small holding is ever sold what happens to you, I am gathering that you will be paying rent for your place so you will need to know if there will be a yearly rise in the rent or will it be fix for so many years its things like that that you need to know about.

[MissAnpassad]

I would do a bit more research first. Do other people keep goats in the area and how do they cope in the winter months and with your health could you do it. As it has already been said do a test run even if it is only for a couple of weeks in the summer treat it as a job and not a holiday, also a written contract between you and your friends family is a good idea and will give you an idea of what to expect in the future i.e. if the small holding is ever sold what happens to you, I am gathering that you will be paying rent for your place so you will need to know if there will be a yearly rise in the rent or will it be fix for so many years its things like that that you need to know about.

Goats are not common in Sweden anywhere anymore, but the breed I have always wanted is indigenous to that region, it´s the sami peoples goat breed. Unfortunately, I can't travel back and forth just to check it out, I just can't afford it.
Yes, we would have a contract, we have to. And the possibility of her selling the homestead is near zero, her ancestor built it like 200 years ago. But she could move away during periods, then I really would be alone. Not that I need people on an everyday basis, but in case of emergency. But i'm sure that it could be solved if that would happen.

One minute i'm thinking "Let's do it" and the next "I need a lobotomy".
Thanks all for your input, it helps in my discussions with myself.

[grenfell]

Whatever your decision I hope you'll keep us informed and best of luck which ever way you choose.

[junmist]

Well I have been offered a place in Wales so I am in the same boat one minute it sounds a good idea and another minute I can see all the down sides. Good Luck

[xplosiv1]

I'd move, sounds amazing.

[grenfell]

Well I have been offered a place in Wales so I am in the same boat one minute it sounds a good idea and another minute I can see all the down sides. Good Luck

I can't help thinking that money plays a large part in this question. Historically and on a global scale people have moved from the country to an urban envoirment often in search of larger incomes . Living anywhere requires income on any practical level . A lower income can be traded off by harder work , if one is prepared to cultivate the land for instance less food needs to be brought. Travel costs become important too. My friends look at a 40 mile round trip to a supermarket from their Welsh house compared to being able to walk from home where they are now. That's a gallon of fuel just to get a pint of milk ( ok I know they would get a big shop in but you get the point) .
So go for it and accept either that you need a good income from somewhere if you wish to maintain the same lifestyle or accept a change in lifestyle to one of a simpler but harder kind ( which is of course the appeal to some).