You need to have this....country living.

[CptSydor]

I don't post a huge amount around here, but I know there are many people that are very experienced in the lifestyle I'm about to get into and will be a big resource.

In a couple weeks I'm set to leave my job and secure life. I've purchased a 60 acre property with a 3 year old home in rural NB about 50 km outside of Fredericton. I would have liked to stayed in Ontario, but there were many forces drawing me to the east coast, one of which was price. My tiny 2 bedroom semi in Hamilton sold for 2.3x the price of the place in NB.

Bills and debts will be minimal or close to non-existent (within minimal time). The goal will be to live life much more simply. We've realized after a number trips to places of seclusive, tending to the most basic tasks makes us most happy. Our intention is to expand the already large garden, plant an orchard, have a berry patch, etc.... We won't be homesteading, but we'll strive to grow or get and make a lot of our food from very basic sources, be it our own or by buying. We won't have any animals (except our two dogs) as the responsibility of being tied down to them is not desirable, especially since we'd like to do a bit of traveling when it's permitted.

I grew up in the semi-country with a master tradesman as a father. He taught me a lot and I'm adept with my hands and tools, but by no means a expert. I spent lots of time in the back country camping and fishing, but I wasn't raised immersed daily in such an environment.

So my question is, what hints, tricks, advise to people have for living such a lifestyle? Most people have rural 'life hacks' they can't live without. Any piece of equipment you can't live without? Best chainsaw to buy? How much wood should I have in stockpile?

[fishy steve]

id suggest getting some animals... nothing big, few chickens and some meat rabbits... definately a big way to reduce food costs... between hunting and what i raise i havent bought meat from a grocery store in a 3 years (except things like lunch meats, and the odd box of hamburgers...) not sure about NB winters, but stockpile about 5 facecord more then you figure you will need, because it always seems to go faster than you would like... as for chainsaw im a big fan of husqavarna's... mine has treated me very well and has paid for itself 10 times over... if you have a good chainsaw and know how to use it, there is almost always jobs waiting for you, so a good cash maker...

good luck with you indeavaor, and if costs are really that much better out there you may have a neighbour there soon lol

[Oddmott]

#1 item - 10,000+w generator.

For the freak weather you can get out there... That's definitely the first thing to worry about.

[JMatthews]

A good tractor with a snowblower and bucket will pay for itself in a few years. I also have a tiller for mine and expanding gardens is so much easier. There are lots of good used tractors with PTO's out there. Get one that is small enough to use in the bush for moving firewood.

Congratulations on your move.

[gooseman]

I second the tractor with a loader. Don't know how I managed without one now that I have it. Use the loader all the time. Made mine a quick attach and made a set of pallet forks for the front. Loading and unloading trailer and now store things on pallets. Get a blade for the back and a snow blower and your set. Use it to drag firewood home, move dirt, plot the driveway, work the garden etc etc always using it

[sawbill]

It gets dark real early in the winter season making for long evenings. You best have hydro and get more than just CBC on the old TV.

[JBen]

Good on you.

That (or similar) is my goal/dream. Sometimes we need wake up calls in order to teach us what is and what isn't important. I had mine and then some handed to me in spectacular fashion.

In my experience 90% of the population has lost sight. Trapped like all the other lemmings in the rat race. Imo you have already acquired the first and most important life hack.

[werner.reiche]

Congratulations!!! When you buy equipment buy a good brand and plan on making it last the rest of your life. Avoid buying old fixer-up stuff that you'll spend more time fixing that using or disposable junk brands. You'll have the time so you should plan on growing a significant amount of your own food, I'd hope.

Re looking after animals, if you have rural neighbours, make some friends and you can likely get someone to check in on them when you travel.

[Oddmott]

Re looking after animals, if you have rural neighbours, make some friends and you can likely get someone to check in on them when you travel.

You could also just pay them raise an extra couple pigs, cows, etc and help with their care periodically.

That's what we're doing, I'm picking up 300lbs of pork today at $1.80/lb cut and wrapped. And we get 1/2 a grass fed beef later in the year at just $1.50/lb, because i'm doing more work to help out with the beef and it won't have had any bought feed.

[Pat32rf]

Four wheel drive tractor with a quick detach bucket on the loader, 200 amp welder, 3-5 KW generated with electric start, Stihl or Husky chain saw......