“There’s land, lots of land under starry skies above,” as the old song goes and that’s so true in Canada. Some Canadians have taken the bull by the horns and have decided to become more self-sufficient by homesteading—the definition of which has changed over the last few years.
Back in the 60s during the hippie culture, some Canadians threw caution to the wind to embrace a freer kind of living which included living on and working the land by growing their own food, canning and maintaining a number of animals. This kind of lifestyle has been resurrected with a modern twist.
Living off the Grid
If you’ve been thinking about purchasing that property in the country and working the land yourself, you’re not alone. There’s a lot to be said for modern homesteading. Those who enjoy the outdoors, and who relish putting food on the table that they’ve grown themselves, are charmed by it.
Tailored to Suit Your Life
There is no right or wrong way to homestead. You can still enjoy the modern conveniences of life and enjoy the things that go along with living off the land. On the other hand, if you choose to live a bare bones lifestyle with few modern amenities, that’s fine, too.
Do Your Research
Before plunging head first into the homesteading lifestyle, do some investigating about what that really means to you. Do you want a few chickens for eggs, a large garden and some milking cows? You’ll have to figure out how much land you’ll need to accomplish your goals.
There are all kinds of questions you’ll need to ask yourself before moving forward and buying property. Are you farming for your family’s needs only or also to generate income? What kind of soil will you need? What about irrigation and water sources? What kind of equipment will you need, such as tractors and other machinery?
Additional Income
You may wish to use your property as a B&B or as an Airbnb to garner extra income. Also, working holidays have become popular among the younger generations. It’s a great way of getting extra help by providing accommodations. There are a number of ways to make extra money as a homesteader. You can also allow people to buy shares in your crops, providing them with fresh produce in season.
So, if country living is something you’ve been toying with, looking into homesteading may be something to discuss with your REALTOR®.
