How To Find The Right Rural Community For You

Looking for the perfect rural community that fits your lifestyle and feels like home? Check out these seven questions to help narrow down your location, neighborhood style, acreage and more.

“Living rural” used to mean being miles away from the nearest city or town, with a minimum of 50-100 acres to yourself and at least one pickup truck!

Although this remains true for many, advances in technology, teleworking opportunities, the pandemic, disillusionment with modernity and the high cost of living in cities and suburban areas have brought individuals and families back to rural places.

If you’re reading this article, chances are you’re one of those people and are wondering what type of rural community may be best for you.

The answer depends on various factors, which we’ll explore in this quiz-style article to help you find the right rural community to call home.

8 Questions To Help You Find The Right Rural Community

Question 1: What’s your budget?

Knowing how much land you can afford will help you narrow down the best locations to begin your land search.

In general, land that’s far away from cities will cost less than land within a convenient commute.

Cleared land or partially cleared land also tends to cost less than forested land, unless it’s a timber tract, as does land with existing infrastructure versus raw land.

Keep in mind, however, that expanding rural populations have brought many big-city stores and conveniences to small towns, making close proximity to cities a moot point.

Related reading: How Country Life Saves You Money

Question 2: How far do you want to be from civilization?

Again, land that’s closer to cities and towns typically costs more than land that’s very isolated.

However, if your idea of heaven is not seeing or hearing a soul for miles, or if you want to build a multi-family compound and create your own little neighborhood, then getting more land further out may be the best option.

Other considerations include your commute (if applicable), travel and healthcare.

See How Far from Civilization Should You Buy Land? for more tips from an experienced land broker on determining your ideal rural location.

Question 3: Do you want a neighborhood feel?

Living rural doesn’t have to mean being completely isolated and/or surrounded by trees or cows.

Today, rural neighborhoods often include:

• Prebuilt homes on small tracts in idyllic country settings
• One or two-acre rural properties within neighborhoods, including amenities like a pond, trails or community center
• Larger small-acreage cleared or semi-cleared raw land tracts with culverts, driveways and fencing in place on which you can build your dream home

All of these options provide a neighborhood feel with country benefits at various price points.

At Raydient Rural, our rural communities offer land tracts ranging from small to medium acreage with improvements such as gating, driveways, culverts and cleared homesites, and some communities offer amenities like ponds and trails.

Explore Raydient Rural’s communities here.

Question 4: How much land do you want and need?

Some people, especially those who have owned rural land before, know exactly how much land they want and need, while others are unsure.

It’s worth doing some research because you may need less (or more) than you think.

For starters, check out our video on How Big Is An Acre of Land? It may seem basic, but this will give you a good idea of how to measure what you need.

Second, check out our “How Many Acres Do You Need” series for expert insights on how much land you need to start a hobby farm, a community supported agriculture (CSA) program, board horses, hunt, start an outdoor retreat and raise cattle.

Question 5: What about schools?

If you have children or plan to have them, you’ll want to scope out the school situation in the rural areas you're considering.

Consider which public schools are available, whether they are well-rated and whether they offer advanced placement options, sports and enrichment activities.

Are there private school options? Religious school options? Hybrids? Charter schools? Daycares? Alternative education schools?

Even if you’re homeschooling, it’s wise to get a feel for the local homeschool community and make sure you’ll have the support and resources you need to be successful.

Beyond school, does the area have the extracurricular activities your children enjoy or need to stay active, engaged and cared for?

Finally, don’t forget to check out higher education options too, including community colleges, proximity to universities and trade schools.

Related reading: Secrets to Keeping Your Kids in Sports While Living in the Country

Question 6: What type of home do you want to build on your land?

Some rural properties offer complete freedom and no zoning restrictions, allowing you to build whatever type of home or outbuildings you desire.

This can be a perfect option for those who want no constraints.

Other rural communities have HOAs or more flexible CCRs (covenants, conditions and restrictions) in place.

At Raydient Rural, for example, our communities have reasonable CCRs in place, designed to preserve the integrity and quality of the land and community, not to be ultra-restrictive or stifling.

For example, you still have the flexibility to build a custom home, but it must meet certain neighborhood standards.

Learn more in: How Covenants, Conditions and Restrictions Help Protect Your Investment

Question 7: What about healthcare?

Healthcare is an important consideration for many people, especially those who require specific services.

The good news is that expanding rural populations mean more country communities have access to high-quality healthcare facilities, including urgent care, hospitals and specialists.

However, those who require specialized care will want to make sure they’re looking for land near those facilities.

If you’re planning to retire rural, you’ll also want to make sure you’re within a reasonable distance to a hospital and the care providers you need.

Related reading: Healthcare in Rural America: Can You Get Good Care in the Country?

Question 8: What amenities can you not live without?

Again, living in rural no longer has to mean being isolated or an hour or more away from good restaurants, culture, travel or shopping.

However, some rural places are still far from various amenities. For some people, it’s worth the trade-off to be close to nature, but for others, it’s too much to compromise.

So ask yourself, what amenities can I not live without? Then, seek those out in the rural communities you’re considering.

Many small towns near rural communities, for example, have excellent restaurants, small museums, pop-up shops, farmers’ markets, symphonies, theater, high school or college sports and other cultural events.

Or, if you prefer big city culture, you’ll want to make sure you’re looking at rural communities within a reasonable commute—less than 30 minutes to an hour, depending on your night driving abilities.

Need More Help With Your Rural Land Search?

At Rethink:Rural, we’ve been helping prospective land owners, including homesteaders, hobby farmers, outdoor enthusiasts and investors find their dream rural properties for over ten years.

For more helpful information like this, check out the Land Buying 101 section of our blog, including articles like this:

• 7 Questions To Ask When Buying Small Acreage
• 12 Things To Look For In A Homesteading Property
• How to Clear Land to Build a Homestead — Tips and Advice from a Florida Landowner

Ready to start looking?

Check out Raydient Rural’s current listings of small to large land tracts for sale (stand-alone or within rural communities) in Florida, Texas, Alabamaand Georgia here.