August 30, 2025 | Community
City Life Vs Country Life
Considering a move to embrace a slower pace of life is a feeling a lot of us crave. The hustle and bustle of the busy city centres certainly is not for everyone, and a lot of the time, jobs and life circumstances can throw us into environments that are not our perfect fit.
Let’s break down the advantages of living in the city and country in hopes of giving you some clarity when it comes to your next move and what is best for your lifestyle needs.
What Can You Expect From a Country Lifestyle?
You have likely found this blog post because country living seems appealing. First and foremost, this is going to look very different depending on your desired location.
Here in the Wellington Region, there are some areas which are very accessible, and mirror the conveniences of the city (if not close to) and other areas that are much further from everyday amenities. Ultimately, it comes down to the question of “how rural are you looking to be?”.
Looking for more rural real estate resources? Check out these blogs next!
- Your Guide to Starting a Farm in Ontario
- What to Know About Buying a Horse Farm
- Where Can I Buy a Hobby Farm Near Toronto?
What to Know Before You Move to a Rural Area
If You Are a Young Family
One of the first things that should be top of the mind when looking for a country home is accessibility. If you plan on enrolling your kids in the local school board, think about how far their designated school is going to be from your home, what this will look like in a daily routine (ie: do they have bus transportation or will you have to drive) and is this a practical fit for you?
If your children are home-schooled, days will be more streamlined. However, you will also want to make sure your home has strong internet and cellular service so that your kids can access their online learning when needed.
If You Are a Working Professional
How long is your current commute to work? Think about it, while it is summer now and roads are relatively clear… what happens when the winter months come. If you work from an office, you will want a reliable vehicle to bear the winter road conditions. Likewise, if you plan on moving further out, consider what this kind of commute looks like and the location that will still allow you to navigate driving to and from work on a daily basis without any additional frustrations.
If You Work From Home
Think about how your location will impact your lifestyle. The country is home to quiet days, life in nature and provides you with an alternative living style to the city. However, it also might put you further from the everyday surroundings you enjoy.
If you are used to the accessibility of the city and the convenience of running around mid-day between work, moving to a rural area will mean that this looks a little different. When you do drive into the city, you might be doing more errands at one time so that your day is less broken up. The main determinant of this, however, is location, and there are plenty of rural properties in Wellington County within a 20-minute drive to the nearest city or town.
How Self-Sufficient Can You Be?
In a country setting, you may rely more on self sufficient modes of living as a cost/time effective solution. The standard setup for this is a hobby farm – or a small farm set up with an assortment/one kind of animal and outdoor vegetable garden(s). If you are moving to an area that is further from the closest city, this will help create a lifestyle of convenience right on your doorstep.
Now, if city living is more for you, you will come to realize that some luxuries are specific to the farm lifestyle. Fresh eggs, for instance, pure/tapped maple syrup, farm fresh produce and seasonal wild flowers are all cheaper and more readily available in rural areas. You will often see these kinds of products being sold at small markets, outdoor stalls and local grocers. Once you are in the city, you will pay more for organic produce and will likely have a harder time locating it too.
Where Are the Best Small Towns in Ontario?
For those who are thinking about living in Guelph, some of the most common rural destinations in Wellington County include: Ariss, Fergus, Elora, Puslinch and Rockwood.
These are all small towns/ rural townships that allow for multi-use and provide a great quality of life. To find out more about these feature areas, check out our listings page and browse the selections of homes and land in these locations.
Building Your Dream Home in the Country
Besides the quiet environment of country living and the hustle and bustle of the city… lets go deeper. One of the widely touted benefits of living in the countryside is the ability to own land and build your dream home. Land in Ontario, particularly in the Wellington Region, is still widely available. In fact, inventory is high this year, and land is on the market for an average day longer than in previous years.
This might be your sign that it is time to explore the possibilities of your country’s escape. With added flexibility of building a home, you can easily create a multi-family residence or a home that has additional space for tiny homes or separate dwelling units on the property. Although there are some easements and other restrictions to doing this, the city will have less availability, more restrictions, higher risk and increased land costs because of desirability.
Hoping to build a custom home in the country? Read these related blogs for more advice.
- Building an Accessory Dwelling Unit in Ontario: What to Know
- Can You Build 2 Dwellings on one Property?
- How Much Does it Cost to Build a Tiny Home?
Rural Properties Aren’t Like City Homes
If you are thinking about moving to the country consider working with an agent and or team experienced in Rural Properties. Rural living is much different than the city. An agent that has never worked in the rural field will not know what to look for and mistakes, in many cases, can be costly. A rural property will have different zoning than residential real estate.
Farms can be zoned a variety of things depending on their existing and intended land use. These zoning codes will impose restrictions and or easements on how the land is maintained.
If you are planning on buying a land and building a home on that property, you will have restrictions depending on the code. In the same way, if you want to start a business, there will be certain things you can and cannot do. However, rural properties also have hidden issues. Many of these issues have to do with the existing services and their overall condition. If you are buying a farm home for instance, you will want an agent who understands the importance of inspecting the home.
Home inspections can be included in conditions in offers. However, there are some general precautions you will want to look out for. Some of the common ones include checking the age of the utilities (furnace, AC unit, water softener, water heater, etc.) The next thing to look out for is the services and their capabilities. Water, Heat, Hydro, Network Connection/Wifi, Cell Service, etc, are all key parts of purchasing a rural property.
Work With Capstone REPS
If you are planning on making the move to the country and weighing out the pros and cons of living rural vs city life, we would love to connect and figure out the property and location that fits your lifestyle needs. We understand rural real estate and have specialized in it since 1988. With over 175 successful transactions in the rural realm, we know what sells a property and what to look out for.
Schedule a call with us today and connect with an experienced Real Estate Agent in the Guelph area.
Moving to the country? Contact the experts in Rural Realty at Capstone REPS today! Reach us by email at info@capstonereps.com or call 519.824.9050.
Ready to Get Started?
Thinking about buying or selling a home in Guelph or Wellington County? Start the conversation with our team today.
