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The Roads Aren’t Always Smooth
Roads to rural properties don’t get the attention that roads in suburban and urban neighborhoods receive. In some cases, the road to your property is a private road that’s maintained by the property owners who use it to access their acreage.
It’s best to visit your future rural home after a hard rain to determine how passable the roads and driveway are. Can a moving van make it down your road and onto your front drive in muddy conditions? Are there any other barriers to reaching your property like a rocky road surface, overgrown driveway, or narrow gates?
If a moving van is unable to access your property or park safely near your dwelling, you may have to arrange other transport for your belongings. Your moving company can store your belongings while you arrange for a four-wheel-drive van or other rural delivery of your household goods.
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A Quick Run to the Store Is Not Always Possible
As you plan your rural relocation, remember that convenience stores and grocery stores are sometimes non-existent in rural areas. While you’re traveling through areas with ample shopping choices, stock up on necessities like formula, diapers, pet food, and anything you can’t do without in your first week.
If you arrive at your rural home after dark, local shops may already be closed for the night. The closest store may be an hour or more away. Be certain to have meals, water, toiletries, medications, and other needs met, so you can focus on unpacking before you have to make your first big shopping trip.
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The Lights May Flicker and Go Out
Rural electricity is generally reliable and reasonably priced. Rural power is also prone to frequent outages due to the lack of resources to repair damages quickly.
Power may go out in rural areas after:
- Vehicle collision with an electricity pole
- Storm-related line damage
- Animal-related line interference
- Wind damage
- Construction mishap
- Lightning strike
- Rockslide or flooding
Rural line crews are spread out and can’t always immediately reach the sources of power outages. There may be delays of several hours before electric lines are repaired.
If you’ve paid to have the power turned on at your arrival, and the lights don’t come on when you walk into your rural home for the first time, check the light bulbs, breakers, and other electrical components. If everything seems in order, there may be a short-term power outage.
Locate and call the emergency number for the local power company to report and/or confirm there’s an outage. There may be a recording or a person on the other line to explain what’s happening and how long the outage will last.
Prepare for the possibility of a power outage on your arrival by packing an emergency box. Place flashlights, lanterns, a battery-operated radio, and other necessities in the box.
Include a solar charger for cellphones in case the power outage lasts longer than a short period. Keep the emergency box with your first-night box, so you don’t have to hunt for it.
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The Water May Need Help to Flow
If your rural property includes a well-water system to supply the household, there may be some issues getting the first drops out of the tap. Home wells require routine maintenance and monitoring.
If the well has not been used for a while, it may be turned off to avoid a leak or contamination of standing water in the household pipes. The pump may need to be primed or pressurized to work properly.
Ask the seller to leave detailed instructions about the pump. If the seller can’t offer assistance, learn all you can about well pumps before you arrive at your new rural home.
When you purchase food and other items for your first week, stock up on several gallons of water for each family member. Your well may work just fine right from the start, but backup water will be appreciated if you must wait for a plumber or other expert to get your well pump going.
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Climate Control May Be Temporarily Self-Service
Depending on the location and season of your rural relocation, it may be hot and steamy or chilly and damp. If you believe your rural home will be stuffy and hot, pack extra fans and cool drinks. If the area is cold or gets cool after dark, pack warm clothes and blankets for the first few nights.
The heating and air conditioning system in your rural home may have a few glitches when the home has sat vacant for a while. If the heater is gas-fed, the lines may be clogged. Electrical thermostat wires may have been chewed by rodents.
If you can’t get the heat or air conditioning to work right away, you’ll be glad you prepared for everyone’s comfort ahead of time. You get to spend the first night relatively cozy until morning comes and the climate-control glitches can be worked out.
Contact Wheaton World Wide Moving today to schedule your move out to the country. We offer full moving services for people moving to rural areas.
