Anonymous
12/05/2017 14:49
Subject: Ready to try rural life; where should we go?
Hi OP.
We live on 5 acres in Clifton, VA. This is in Fairfax County, so it's faux country that is still pretty liberal. All the lots are 5 acres or more. It caters to the equestrian set, so most homes are closer to the $1 million mark, but there are smaller houses that come up occasionally in your price range. I can commute to L'Enfant Plaza or Union Station in an hour on the VRE train.
Echoing what the other PP said, if you haven't worked land before, 20 acres is A LOT. We have 5 acres with a horse barn, chickens, 2 dogs, and a barn cat. Taking care of this property is very rewarding personally, but it's like a second job.
We live on 5 acres in Clifton, VA. This is in Fairfax County, so it's faux country that is still pretty liberal. All the lots are 5 acres or more. It caters to the equestrian set, so most homes are closer to the $1 million mark, but there are smaller houses that come up occasionally in your price range. I can commute to L'Enfant Plaza or Union Station in an hour on the VRE train.
Echoing what the other PP said, if you haven't worked land before, 20 acres is A LOT. We have 5 acres with a horse barn, chickens, 2 dogs, and a barn cat. Taking care of this property is very rewarding personally, but it's like a second job.
Anonymous
12/05/2017 14:29
Subject: Re:Ready to try rural life; where should we go?
Anonymous wrote:We have 20 acres in rural western Frederick county (close to the Point of Rocks MARC area). DH and I grew up on very big family farms (5K Acres) on the great plains, so knew what we were getting into when we bought our place. I think there are a lot of things you need to think hard about before you go all "Green Acres," especially if you have never, ever lived rurally before.
We are liberals and DH is retired military, (so I think we may have similar backgrounds as far as moving around) - but in our experience here - politics are not talked about, at least in depth, and DH and I usually avoid it if it does come up in conversations. I know in DC, politics are a fact of life, but in the world outside the beltway, people have other things to think and talk about.
We are active in the community, on some of the local town civic associations, and other social events here. People are friendly, and neighbors help neighbors (so liberal in practice, but vote conservative, whatever). We needed help putting new stall in our barn before winter, and two neighbors showed up with a Bobcat loader last Wednesday night to help DH get it together so one of our mares and her new foal are all set for the winter. That's just how farm life is.
If this is just a "temporary" next stop for you before moving again, I think you need to proceed with extreme caution here. These properties are hard to sell because people aren't really looking to buy them. They are also hard to find, we looked for over two years before finding the property we bought and the house needs a lot of updating - but we were looking for useable farm and pasture land to keep horses, cattle, beekeeping, poultry, and a large garden and orchard. Wooded land is easy to find here - good grazing land for livestock and crop farming is really hard to find here.
Farms are a lot of work. I am up at 4am most mornings making sure animals are checked, fed and watered before I log in for work (I telework most days, take the MARC one day a week) - and animals don't care if it's raining, snowing, cold, or hot, they just know they are hungry and where the heck is the lady with that hay??? After I log off for the day, I am on a horse, or cleaning stalls, feeding, checking fences, meeting with our veterinarian, or any other odds and ends that need done around here - and there is always something, but I LOVE living this way. If you don't love it, don't do it.
Do you have the expendable cash for equipment? A hobby tractor for 20 acres, is a NEED, not a want, costs upwards of 20K and then factor in maintenance and the attachments like a front-end loader, mower deck, back hoe, and possibly a baler. You will not have city service to plow your drive - you will need a tractor to do this for you. If your DH is in the city during the week and a storm hits - are you capable of doing this by yourself??? You will also probably want a Gator (a golf cart on steroids) to get around the place, move hay, yard implements, various other equipment instead of using your car. If you want outbuildings (barn, quonset for tractor/gator), factor that in, they aren't cheap either.
Are you comfortable having a rifle or shotgun in your house and using it? You will need it - we have plenty of critters that are known for killing chickens. We have a "shoot on sight" policy for red foxes and woodchucks out here. They cause too much property destruction to feel warm and fuzzy about them.
If the answer to any of those questions above is "No" then you need to slow the heck down and really think this through. I'm not saying don't do it, but you should go into this lifestyle with your eyes (and your pocketbook) very wide open.
NP here. THANK YOU for this post! Some days I think a life like yours would be idyllic. Rescue dogs and animals around the property, a brook running through it... and your post presents the time investment that would actually be required. And the financial investment as well! I'll stay here in my city
Anonymous
12/05/2017 14:25
Subject: Ready to try rural life; where should we go?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:You must have no friends.
They move around every couple of years. Of course they have no friends.
OP here, I just have to ask why someone would take the time to write this? I know you don't know me and all, and I won't justify my life to strangers, but for not one person but two to be nasty for no reason, I just don't get it. Is this how you want your children to behave? Is this who you're raising them to be? Try to do better.
OP, this is what we do here on DCUM. Sorry you encountered it so quickly.
We just moved to Purcellville. It's not really near a MARC train, so probably not what you're looking for. We enjoy the beauty, and we may eventually do something with the land, but right now we're just settling in and enjoying our slower pace of life. Highly recommend it, but not some place I'd want to make a daily commute from. However, there will soon be a Metro stop in Ashburn so that improves the commuting options.
Harper's Ferry is on MARC. Another place to consider.
Also, I will agree with others who've said if you're looking for liberal values, you generally won't find them in the places you have mentioned. Frederick is as redneck as hell.
Anonymous
12/05/2017 14:25
Subject: Ready to try rural life; where should we go?
Frederick! So charming, with the plethora of dining, shopping, and cultural options in the historic town - plus still miles of rural landscape in any direction. Lived here for 7 years -Middletown, Urbana and Oakdale feeder schools are top notch and most of the associated communities are more progressive than say Thurmont or Brunswick. You can find whatever type you are looking for here - hipster types in downtown Frederick; earthy crunchy organic farmers with PhDs; conservative mountain men; pioneer women; scientists and scholars. We have it all ( as long as the smell of manure doesn’t put you off your microbrew)!
Anonymous
12/05/2017 14:23
Subject: Ready to try rural life; where should we go?
The area around Middleburg and Aldie is actually fairly liberal BUT you're not necessarily getting 20 acres for under $600k there.
Northernmost Fauquier (The Plains-Markham) is like 55 R-45 D overall. The rest of the county is pretty solid R.
Parts of Clarke County are only 60 R-40 D as opposed to the 3 R-1 D you'll get in Frederick (VA) and Warren (VA).
Southern Frederick nearer to the Potomac (Brunswick and Point of Rocks) is maybe 60 R-40 D. The further north you go the more conservative it gets.
If you're leaving in two years, RENT.
Northernmost Fauquier (The Plains-Markham) is like 55 R-45 D overall. The rest of the county is pretty solid R.
Parts of Clarke County are only 60 R-40 D as opposed to the 3 R-1 D you'll get in Frederick (VA) and Warren (VA).
Southern Frederick nearer to the Potomac (Brunswick and Point of Rocks) is maybe 60 R-40 D. The further north you go the more conservative it gets.
If you're leaving in two years, RENT.
Anonymous
12/05/2017 14:06
Subject: Re:Ready to try rural life; where should we go?
Linden, VA out near Monticello in Charlottesville maybe. Beautiful wine country.
Anonymous
12/05/2017 13:53
Subject: Ready to try rural life; where should we go?
Live on 2 or 3 acres in Poolesville. No way in hell you're ready to handle 20 acres in the middle of nowhere.
And, frankly, I'd rent. You'll be gone in two years.
And, frankly, I'd rent. You'll be gone in two years.
Anonymous
12/05/2017 13:53
Subject: Ready to try rural life; where should we go?
Waterford, Va could be an option
Anonymous
12/05/2017 13:45
Subject: Re:Ready to try rural life; where should we go?
Anonymous wrote:What will you do when you go abroad again? Rent the property out? Being near a college town or a major medical center, or some other employer with people coming in for 1-2 years at a time, could be helpful then.
I don't know that I could live away from my spouse and kids M-F without a compelling reason. If it's just that you've been living in a small apartment in a crowded city for years, I think you could find respite from that without going so far out that one parent is gone M-F.
That's not likely, probably lived on the compound at the Embassy. It's big, green, has a pool, amenities, etc. Most homes are townhomes w/3 bedrooms. Some people live in Delhi proper, but they still have access to the compound.
Anonymous
12/05/2017 13:40
Subject: Ready to try rural life; where should we go?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I grew up in bumfuck and let me tell you, it is NOT an adventure.
OP here, when you've lived in New Delhi for four years, it sure as shit will be an adventure.
I lived in New Delhi as part of the foreign service, and came back to McLean. Might want to try that instead, still an adventure.
If not, maybe Ashland, VA?
Anonymous
12/05/2017 13:37
Subject: Re:Ready to try rural life; where should we go?
We have 20 acres in rural western Frederick county (close to the Point of Rocks MARC area). DH and I grew up on very big family farms (5K Acres) on the great plains, so knew what we were getting into when we bought our place. I think there are a lot of things you need to think hard about before you go all "Green Acres," especially if you have never, ever lived rurally before.
We are liberals and DH is retired military, (so I think we may have similar backgrounds as far as moving around) - but in our experience here - politics are not talked about, at least in depth, and DH and I usually avoid it if it does come up in conversations. I know in DC, politics are a fact of life, but in the world outside the beltway, people have other things to think and talk about.
We are active in the community, on some of the local town civic associations, and other social events here. People are friendly, and neighbors help neighbors (so liberal in practice, but vote conservative, whatever). We needed help putting new stall in our barn before winter, and two neighbors showed up with a Bobcat loader last Wednesday night to help DH get it together so one of our mares and her new foal are all set for the winter. That's just how farm life is.
If this is just a "temporary" next stop for you before moving again, I think you need to proceed with extreme caution here. These properties are hard to sell because people aren't really looking to buy them. They are also hard to find, we looked for over two years before finding the property we bought and the house needs a lot of updating - but we were looking for useable farm and pasture land to keep horses, cattle, beekeeping, poultry, and a large garden and orchard. Wooded land is easy to find here - good grazing land for livestock and crop farming is really hard to find here.
Farms are a lot of work. I am up at 4am most mornings making sure animals are checked, fed and watered before I log in for work (I telework most days, take the MARC one day a week) - and animals don't care if it's raining, snowing, cold, or hot, they just know they are hungry and where the heck is the lady with that hay??? After I log off for the day, I am on a horse, or cleaning stalls, feeding, checking fences, meeting with our veterinarian, or any other odds and ends that need done around here - and there is always something, but I LOVE living this way. If you don't love it, don't do it.
Do you have the expendable cash for equipment? A hobby tractor for 20 acres, is a NEED, not a want, costs upwards of 20K and then factor in maintenance and the attachments like a front-end loader, mower deck, back hoe, and possibly a baler. You will not have city service to plow your drive - you will need a tractor to do this for you. If your DH is in the city during the week and a storm hits - are you capable of doing this by yourself??? You will also probably want a Gator (a golf cart on steroids) to get around the place, move hay, yard implements, various other equipment instead of using your car. If you want outbuildings (barn, quonset for tractor/gator), factor that in, they aren't cheap either.
Are you comfortable having a rifle or shotgun in your house and using it? You will need it - we have plenty of critters that are known for killing chickens. We have a "shoot on sight" policy for red foxes and woodchucks out here. They cause too much property destruction to feel warm and fuzzy about them.
If the answer to any of those questions above is "No" then you need to slow the heck down and really think this through. I'm not saying don't do it, but you should go into this lifestyle with your eyes (and your pocketbook) very wide open.
We are liberals and DH is retired military, (so I think we may have similar backgrounds as far as moving around) - but in our experience here - politics are not talked about, at least in depth, and DH and I usually avoid it if it does come up in conversations. I know in DC, politics are a fact of life, but in the world outside the beltway, people have other things to think and talk about.
We are active in the community, on some of the local town civic associations, and other social events here. People are friendly, and neighbors help neighbors (so liberal in practice, but vote conservative, whatever). We needed help putting new stall in our barn before winter, and two neighbors showed up with a Bobcat loader last Wednesday night to help DH get it together so one of our mares and her new foal are all set for the winter. That's just how farm life is.
If this is just a "temporary" next stop for you before moving again, I think you need to proceed with extreme caution here. These properties are hard to sell because people aren't really looking to buy them. They are also hard to find, we looked for over two years before finding the property we bought and the house needs a lot of updating - but we were looking for useable farm and pasture land to keep horses, cattle, beekeeping, poultry, and a large garden and orchard. Wooded land is easy to find here - good grazing land for livestock and crop farming is really hard to find here.
Farms are a lot of work. I am up at 4am most mornings making sure animals are checked, fed and watered before I log in for work (I telework most days, take the MARC one day a week) - and animals don't care if it's raining, snowing, cold, or hot, they just know they are hungry and where the heck is the lady with that hay??? After I log off for the day, I am on a horse, or cleaning stalls, feeding, checking fences, meeting with our veterinarian, or any other odds and ends that need done around here - and there is always something, but I LOVE living this way. If you don't love it, don't do it.
Do you have the expendable cash for equipment? A hobby tractor for 20 acres, is a NEED, not a want, costs upwards of 20K and then factor in maintenance and the attachments like a front-end loader, mower deck, back hoe, and possibly a baler. You will not have city service to plow your drive - you will need a tractor to do this for you. If your DH is in the city during the week and a storm hits - are you capable of doing this by yourself??? You will also probably want a Gator (a golf cart on steroids) to get around the place, move hay, yard implements, various other equipment instead of using your car. If you want outbuildings (barn, quonset for tractor/gator), factor that in, they aren't cheap either.
Are you comfortable having a rifle or shotgun in your house and using it? You will need it - we have plenty of critters that are known for killing chickens. We have a "shoot on sight" policy for red foxes and woodchucks out here. They cause too much property destruction to feel warm and fuzzy about them.
If the answer to any of those questions above is "No" then you need to slow the heck down and really think this through. I'm not saying don't do it, but you should go into this lifestyle with your eyes (and your pocketbook) very wide open.
Anonymous
12/05/2017 13:08
Subject: Ready to try rural life; where should we go?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I grew up in bumfuck and let me tell you, it is NOT an adventure.
OP here, when you've lived in New Delhi for four years, it sure as shit will be an adventure.
Well, just the fresh air will be lovely. Rural does sound like an adventure after that. It will be so quiet. No horns! Please get on the travel forums and tell us about Delhi with kids!
Anonymous
12/05/2017 13:00
Subject: Ready to try rural life; where should we go?
I live in Frostburg, MD, which is a cute college town a quick drive away from Cumberland (and, therefore, Amtrak). Not sure if it's too far out for you but it's definitely rural, with some liberals around.
Anonymous
12/05/2017 12:43
Subject: Re:Ready to try rural life; where should we go?
What will you do when you go abroad again? Rent the property out? Being near a college town or a major medical center, or some other employer with people coming in for 1-2 years at a time, could be helpful then.
I don't know that I could live away from my spouse and kids M-F without a compelling reason. If it's just that you've been living in a small apartment in a crowded city for years, I think you could find respite from that without going so far out that one parent is gone M-F.
I don't know that I could live away from my spouse and kids M-F without a compelling reason. If it's just that you've been living in a small apartment in a crowded city for years, I think you could find respite from that without going so far out that one parent is gone M-F.
Anonymous
12/05/2017 11:35
Subject: Ready to try rural life; where should we go?
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:I grew up in bumfuck and let me tell you, it is NOT an adventure.
OP here, when you've lived in New Delhi for four years, it sure as shit will be an adventure.
Well let me tell you, *I* wouldn't consider it an adventure. Why not just live in the Poolesville area? You can have your rural lifestyle without live in West Virginia.