Transitioning from City Life to Small-Town Mountain Living: Expected and Unexpected Costs

After residing in New York City for seven years, I moved to a nearby suburb and eventually found my way to a quaint rural area in Upstate New York amid the COVID-19 pandemic. This transition has brought many unexpected discoveries.

Leaving behind my Brooklyn apartment, we settled in a Long Island suburb, assuming it would be a permanent move. Once the pandemic struck, my husband and I reassessed what truly mattered to us. This led us to leave our bustling commuter town—that was merely 40-minute train ride from Manhattan—for a peaceful life in the Catskill Mountains, several hours north.

The Catskills appealed to us with its natural beauty, outdoor pastimes, and more relaxed atmosphere. So, in early 2021, we sold our Long Island home and embraced life in this new setting. The town we vacated was bustling with 25,000 residents and all the typical urban amenities. Our new home features a drastically smaller population of around 1,600, excluding the local wildlife like deer and bears.

While we have no regrets, the past five years have included some surprising challenges and revelations. Let me share 12 surprising insights from our relocation journey.

The Absence of Traffic is Refreshingly Novel

Infamous for its traffic jams, Long Island often required me to add half an hour to my travel time calculations. Commuters in the city are well-aware of the trials of urban driving. Transitioning to a place where entering a destination in Google Maps reflects the true travel time has been a delightful change—goodbye to traffic delays!

Instead, our concerns regarding travel typically involve natural hazards like heavy snow. Plows are effective, but caution is required when the mountain is ensconced in fog. Additionally, vigilance for wildlife crossing roads is part of this new lifestyle.

Incredible Reduction in Wait Times

City living means accepting long queues and extended waits, whether at post offices or clinics. Thankfully, those tribulations disappeared with our move. Now, a quick stroll across the street finds me waiting briefly, served by friendly locals—a shift that never ceases to amaze.

Improved Service Quality

Visits to doctors in the city often left me feeling neglected due to overbooked schedules. Contrast that with the personal attention I receive here, where appointments start as planned, and thorough discussions are routine. The care provided during my pregnancy was unparalleled, with plenty of staff available during my son’s birth.

While city doctors can be outstanding, the high patient volume drastically reduced the quality of care I received back then.

Creating Connections is Effortless

In contrast to our previous experience where making friends in a new suburban setting proved difficult, the smaller community here means frequent encounters with familiar faces at local venues. There's a reassuring sense of interconnectedness.

Given the small town’s less transient nature compared to the city, people are more invested in fostering community relationships.

Mountain Town Greetings

It might sound clichéd, but small-town residents genuinely exchange greetings whether they're familiar or not. I've made numerous friends this way and can spot visitors by their reluctance to engage.

What is surprising about these interactions is my enjoyment of them, even though I valued the anonymity city life once offered.

Inconvenience Can Be Surprisingly Acceptable

Big city life is synonymous with convenience, from 24-hour services to efficient transit options. Contrarily, rural living lacks such amenities—public transport is scarce and most errands require substantial travel.

This may frustrate some, but I embrace turning errands into mini-adventures, better planning, and the breathtaking views during trips for daily necessities.

Unforeseen Expenses

Our move was economically motivated, yet, savings on property taxes—which are substantially lower despite owning a larger property—haven't translated to overall reduced expenses. Increased fuel costs, higher grocery prices, and unexpected service fees pose new financial challenges.

The growing influx from urban areas is also economically impacting long-standing residents, inflating costs and contributing to housing shortages.

Lacking Services

While we save on taxes without services like trash pickup, managing waste independently has become routine. Our proximity to town grants us internet access, but many rely on less reliable connections.

Embrace of Wildlife

Our rural setting offers fascinating fauna, from porcupines to bears. Amongst the locals, groundhogs have become neighborhood favorites, providing endless entertainment with their antics.

A Practical Wardrobe Shift

Gone are my tailored clothes, replaced by winter-proof gear like microspikes for icy paths, layered winter wear, and versatile summer attire. Fashion takes a backseat to functionality here.

A Stunning Starry Sky

Absent city light pollution grants us a spectacular view of the stars, an experience muted in suburban or urban settings.

The Beauty of Distinct Seasons

Here in the countryside, each season offers unique and awe-inspiring changes. The vibrant autumn colors and extensive winters are significant contrasts to the subtler seasonal shifts of city life.

Embracing Our Choice

Despite surprises and challenges, our decision to relocate to this mountain town remains rewarding. The peaceful surroundings, community spirit, and nature's ever-changing beauty ensure our satisfaction and contentment with this lifestyle.