A Simple Life in the City

Urban sprawl. Overcrowding. Suburbia. It all spells life in the city, where everything is at your fingertips. Enter the economy, otherwise known as the arch enemy of most Americans. Life is becoming increasingly difficult to afford. Unemployment rates continue to rise; foreclosures an endless plague. Wouldn’t it be nice to just get away from it all? Oh, to move to the countryside and live off the land. An American dream many of us share. That is all it will ever be for those who are barely hanging on. Home equity has disappeared, sucked up by declining real estate values, leaving families stuck in money pits they once considered their dream homes and longing to live a simpler, cheaper life.

The simple life ain’t so simple, at least not in the city. But, take heart, it isn’t impossible. Time, and definitely a lot of hard work are in your future, because the simple life does not mean easy and effortless. When the payoff comes it will be worth every drop of sweat and broken fingernail. Take on that I can do attitude, and get busy. Your home doesn’t have to be a burden. Put it to work for you. Certainly, there are challenges for the city homeowners who would like to live off their land. Space is always a major constraint. Most city lots are small, some even smaller than what would be considered a small country garden. But, you may be surprised how much food can actually be grown in tight spaces.

When you think of the simple life, what is it that you envision? Most people think farming or gardening, chickens in the backyard and homemade food. Life in the burbs may not allow for a chicken coop, although many cities do allow homeowners to keep a few hens. If you have room and are so inclined, build a coop and get some birds. Not only will you have eggs, you’ll have a  nice supply of garden fertilizer. That being said, a garden should be one of your top priorities. If you have a yard, a patio or balcony, and sunshine you have room for a garden. You may have to take out some of your beautiful landscaping and lush green lawn to plant your garden, and for some, that may be very painful. You cannot survive on flowers and shrubs, and while they may look beautiful, they are sucking up valuable resources that could be used to provide for your family. So give them a kiss goodbye, take a photo for the memories, and dig ‘em up.