Moving out to the country from New York City or from any of the more populated suburbs to the Greater Hudson Valley can be a challenge. As with moves to the country anywhere there are a few things you need to think about before you buy.
Do you dream of living on a farm? I know that one of the most attractive sights of the Greater Hudson Valley are open fields and beautiful farms. Nothing is prettier than coming over a rise to see a herd of cattle grazing or an orchard of fruit trees reaching as far as the eye can see. Dreams of the Simple Life draw many people to move near to our area farms but if you are planning to move to a location with working agricultural properties you need to be aware of the "facts of life" in a farming location. As a potential home buyer you need to be prepared for the common practices of our farmers and realize that they are not going to change their way of living for you just because you bought the property next door.
Farmers get up and start work early every day. They don't often have the luxury of a day off and, especially during spring, summer, and fall months, you are likely to hear them at work very early in the morning. During certain times the fields may be barren and this can cause a dust bowl to rival some of those from the 1930's. There are very intense smells and there may be chemicals in the air at times if the farmer uses them for crop management. Dairy cows will need to get to the barn to be milked twice a day and, if they are in a field across the road from the barn, the farmer may need to shut down the road while the cows cross for milking (please note that beeping your horn during these times will not help and may cause the process to last longer if you spook the animals.)
If you are ready to live side by side with the farmer he will welcome you to his community and be a great neighbor. If, on the other hand, you think you can change the neighborhood once you move in you need to think again. The farmer has the law on his side and will win any challenge to stop normal agricultural practices. You can still enjoy the area farms without living next door to them and that will allow both you and the farmer the peace to live life as you choose.
There are options here in the Greater Hudson Valley of NY to meet everyone's needs. We have urban, suburban, village and rural locations that can provide you with the perfect blend of country for you. Working with an experienced buyer's agent can help you to choose what is best for you. If you are looking for a home in Orange, Ulster, or Sullivan County NY I would love to be your Buyer's Agent. If you are looking elsewhere I would love to find someone in your chosen location to help you. Send me a text, give me a call, or send an email today.
Click here to see the first post in this series about the size of rural lots.
Click here to see the second post in this series about life without streetlights.
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