A aerial view of a rural homestead where a family has settled after moving from an urban area.
A aerial view of a rural homestead where a family has settled after moving from an urban area.

Moving from an urban to a rural area can offer a refreshing change of pace. Depending on your lifestyle, it also comes with a healthy dose of culture shock. The hustle and bustle of urban life contrasts with the quiet surroundings, limited amenities, and slower pace accompanying life outside city limits. 

Understanding the differences and challenges of moving from the city to the country is vital. Plan your move carefully to embrace these changes and enjoy the unique advantages of living in a rural area.

Top Challenges When Moving from Urban to Rural Areas

Moving from a bustling city to a tranquil rural setting is an exciting journey but comes with challenges. While the shift to open spaces, and fewer distractions may be what you’re after, it’s important to anticipate and prepare for potential hurdles. Proper planning can help overcome six common challenges.

1. Loss of Friend Groups and Support Systems

Leaving behind a robust social network can feel isolating. In urban areas, it’s easier to meet people and maintain connections due to proximity and accessibility. Rural areas often lack the same level of social infrastructure, making it harder to build networks initially.

Solution: Get involved in community events, volunteer, or explore local clubs. Building connections and a support network is key.

2. Fewer Stores and Businesses

City dwellers are accustomed to the convenience of 24/7 stores, delivery services, and various businesses. Rural residents? Not so much. 

Same-day delivery can be a logistical impossibility in the country. Rideshares in rural areas may not exist outside of one dedicated driver. In-person shopping is more limited, too. Rural areas often have fewer options, with stores located farther apart and operating on limited schedules. 

Solution: Plan ahead when living in a rural area by keeping a well-stocked pantry, understanding local store hours, and patiently utilizing online shopping for specialty items.

3. Cost Misconceptions

While rural living is often marketed as more affordable, this isn’t always true. Expenses like transportation, maintenance for larger properties, and limited access to services can add up quickly, and these added costs are a major disadvantage of living in the country. 

Solution: Research the true cost of living in the area, including utilities, property taxes, and commuting costs. These things are important to understand to budget effectively.

4. Weather and Environmental Challenges

Rural areas may experience harsher weather conditions, such as extreme heat, heavy snow, or increased exposure to natural disasters. Infrastructure like roads may also be less developed, making travel difficult during adverse weather. Because this is one of the biggest disadvantages of living in the country, it’s one you’ll need to pay close attention to.

Solution: Invest in weather-appropriate gear. Prepare your home for seasonal challenges. Familiarize yourself with local emergency services as soon as you move.

5. Limited Access to Healthcare and Services

Rural areas may have limited access to healthcare facilities and other essential services, such as the internet and public transportation. Even if those services exist, they may pale in comparison to those available in urban or suburban areas. Even residential moving services may require extra lead time, so planning is important.

Solution: Research local services before moving and ensure you have a reliable plan for accessing healthcare and staying connected.

6. Adjusting to a Slower Pace of Life

The fast-paced energy of urban living contrasts with the calm, unhurried lifestyle of rural areas. While this can be refreshing, it might take time to adjust. Boredom may be a fact of life for a while as you figure out how to spend your leisure time.

Solution: Embrace the slower pace of a rural area lifestyle as an opportunity to focus on hobbies, self-care, and building deeper community connections.

Though these challenges may seem daunting, they are far from insurmountable. By preparing in advance and approaching the move with an open mind, you can overcome these hurdles and fully embrace the many benefits of rural living.

Tackling Moving from Urban to Rural Areas with Ease

One of the best ways to simplify your move is to work with an all-inclusive moving company to smooth out the wrinkles. When you hire movers, you can focus on settling into your new home and meeting your neighbors. You can even acclimate to your new neighborhood and roads while focusing on the commute in your own vehicle rather than a moving truck or with an attached trailer.

This is especially important when moving with a young family or with pets, as these kinds of moves often have additional logistical hurdles and stress.

Living in a Rural Area

Adjusting to life in your new rural surroundings doesn’t have to make you feel like Eva Gabor in Green Acres. Even with the drastic change in pace, amenities, and lifestyle, the right mindset makes all the difference. 

Rural living’s relative peace and tranquility stem from reduced noise pollution and a stronger connection with nature. Many rural communities offer a tight-knit feel thanks to meaningful relationships with neighbors and friends. Rural communities’ additional space and affordability often allow for bigger homes or properties perfect for cultivating new hobbies like gardening or simply enjoying the outdoors. 

Need some extra help acclimating to your new life? Consider the following tips:

  • Hire professional movers. We’ve said it before, but hiring professional moving services lets you focus on adapting to your new surroundings without worrying about packing, transporting, and unloading your belongings.
  • Give yourself time to adjust. Rome wasn’t built in a day, nor are connections to your new home. Don’t expect to feel at home right away. It’s natural to experience discomfort as you adapt to your new routines and surroundings. Be patient. 
  • Build a supportive network. Take the initiative to introduce yourself to your neighbors, join local groups, and participate in the community. Do some research about local civic organizations or clubs. If you already have membership in an organization that exists in your new town (like the Elks, Eagles, or other community-focused fraternities), visit the local office or lodge. 
  • Embrace the changes. Rural living may come with limited access to urban convenience, but there are also plenty of unique opportunities to enjoy. Learn to appreciate the slower pace. Explore the outdoors, and discover the charm of small-town life.


Approaching your move with patience and positivity means you’ll soon find yourself enjoying rural living’s many rewards.

Planning Your Move from Urban to Rural Areas

For all the ways you can make it easier, moving from an urban to a rural area is still a big life change. Taking even one thing off your mind and to-do list can help maintain balance. Using professional moving services is just one of several ways to ease that transition and focus on what really matters: settling into your new life. 

That’s especially true for long-distance moves that require traversing hundreds of miles. Long-distance moving services reduce the stress of travel. It’s much easier to drive a car than a moving truck, after all. Packing, loading, and unloading are much easier with movers. 

Need help finding movers to facilitate your rural relocation? A moving broker can help. They connect you with affordable moving companies that meet your move’s unique needs.

Interstate Moving Services

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Frequently Asked Questions

What are some common challenges of moving from urban to rural areas?

Adapting to limited amenities, slower internet speeds, fewer entertainment options, and longer commutes to services or work are common challenges. Building a social network and adjusting to quieter, more isolated environments can also be difficult for people who are not accustomed to rural living.

This movement is commonly referred to as “rural migration” or “counter-urbanization.” These terms describe the trend of people leaving cities to settle in smaller towns or rural areas.

Common reasons for moving from urban to rural areas include lower living costs, more space, improved quality of life, and work-from-home opportunities. Other motivators include escaping urban congestion, connecting with nature, and pursuing a slower-paced lifestyle.

The trend in urban to rural migration has grown post-pandemic (starting in 2020). Remote work and rising urban housing costs drive the trend. Families and individuals are opting for rural lives over urban because of affordability, space, and improved work-life balance. Exact migration rates vary throughout the country and different regions.