Moving to the country is often sold as a dream. From the wide open spaces, to the fresh air, room for the kids to run, and the idea of a slower, simpler way of life. And while all of that is absolutely true, there are also a few realities that don’t always make it into the brochure.
To help set the scene (and have a bit of fun with it), we asked Lyz Palmer, a Rural, Lifestyle and Residential Sales Consultant for Timaru, and Craig Bates, Sales Manager for Otago/Southland, to share what life on the land is really like.
Here are 10 things no one quite tells you (but probably should) about buying a rural property.
1. A trip to town becomes a full-day mission
One of the biggest reality checks is just how far ‘quick errands’ really are.
Lyz says people underestimate the planning involved straight away. Forget something, and it’s not a five-minute fix, it’s an hour gone. Over time though, she says it becomes second nature, and the drive home becomes part of the lifestyle itself.
Craig agrees, noting that travel time, fuel costs and juggling kids’ sport and school quickly turn into a major consideration.
2. You will own more gumboots than shoes
It starts with one pair. Then suddenly there are summer gumboots, winter gumboots, and a backup pair in the ute.
Pictured: Lyz Palmer, Rural, Lifestyle and Residential Sales Consultant for Timaru.
Lyz laughs that gumboots are practically a lifestyle block currency and once you discover a good pair (or win them), there’s no going back.
“Where I went wrong is when I won a pair of Muck Boots (self-insulated with lovely squishy neoprene lining) in a competition. They are a game changer on cold mornings, great on the concrete, more protective on the quad bike or working in the yards and slip-resistant on the fishing boat too!
“It taught me that boots are all different, and not every pair is right for every person, so keep trying until you find the ones that suit, and be aware that you may need more than one pair!”
Just don’t forget biosecurity. Lyz adds that gumboots are also one of the easiest ways to unintentionally move diseases and viruses around, so a disinfecting routine becomes part of everyday life.
“If you wear your gumboots off farm, keep some good disinfectant and a boot-wash bucket handy.
“And be very aware of other people’s gumboots on your property. They can come in on the feet of stock agents, truck drivers, salespeople or friends - and they could’ve been anywhere.”
3. Something will always break - usually at the worst time
Rural properties have a way of testing your timing.
Lyz’s advice is simple, to do it once and do it right. Otherwise, Murphy’s Law guarantees it will fail during a storm, on a public holiday, or right before you leave for a holiday yourself.
Water systems, in particular, tend to demand attention at the least convenient moment.
But while more things can go wrong or break on a lifestyle or rural property, Lyz says the positive is that there’s also more opportunities to remedy these problems yourself, which adds a sense of achievement each time you do.
“You start being able to fix stuff, problem-solve and gain confidence. And you’ll find whole new conversations will open up the next time you’re talking to the neighbours over the fence or the helpful staff at the PGG Wrightson store!”
4. As above, water is everything (and it will remind you of that)
Ask any rural homeowner and they’ll tell you - water systems are the heartbeat of a property.
Lyz says understanding your setup early is essential, whether that’s float systems, monitoring devices, or keeping spare fittings on hand.
When something goes wrong, it’s rarely minor. And yes, it will probably happen on a weekend.
5. Animals are rewarding… and unpredictable
People often underestimate just how much animals change your daily rhythm.
Lyz notes that stock can escape, break fences, get sick unexpectedly, or simply do what animals do best - cause chaos at inconvenient times.
Pictured: Craig Bates, Sales Manager for Otago/Southland.
Craig adds a more grounded reality. Once you have livestock, you also have responsibility. Feeding, drenching, shearing and checking them becomes part of life - whether it’s five animals or fifty.
6. You’ll never run out of ‘things to do’
If you thought moving to the country meant more downtime, think again.
Lyz says boredom simply doesn’t exist, there is always a lawn to mow, a fence to fix, weeds to pull or animals to move.
The upside? You quickly gain a sense of achievement and confidence from doing things yourself that you may never have tried before.
7. Maintenance is not optional (and shortcuts rarely work)
Rural living comes with gear - mowers, quad bikes, tractors - and all of it needs upkeep. And fuel, repairs and fencing costs can catch people off guard, especially in the first year.
So as in point 3, follow Lyz’s golden rule of ‘if you’re going to fix it, do it properly’, because ‘she’ll be right’ rarely survives the next weather event.
8. The first year is a steep learning curve
Craig has a simple way of describing the transition of moving to the country as it usually follows a pattern - first year, love it; second year, reality sets in; third year, people start asking questions.
But he adds that it’s not to discourage anyone. It’s more of a reminder that rural life is an adjustment because planning weekends, learning animal care and understanding costs all take time.
And there’s a reward for surviving those first three years - the ones who stick it out often wonder how they ever lived differently.
9. You stop shopping impulsively (and start planning everything)
With distance, fuel costs and effort involved, spontaneous trips and impulse buys tend to fade away.
Lyz says even meal planning changes - if you’re heading to town, you make the most of it. Lists become essential, and ‘just popping back’ for takeaways is no longer a thing.
On the upside, it can make life more intentional, and kinder on the wallet (in some ways).
10. The positives are bigger than you expect
For all the practical realities, both Lyz and Craig are quick to point out why people stay.
The silence when you turn into your driveway is something Lyz says you never stop appreciating.
The lack of traffic, noise and constant pressure is immediate and noticeable. You also start to value food differently, understand where it comes from, and even take pride in growing or producing your own.
“You definitely use what you have in creative ways - barter your fresh eggs, veges or seedlings for fish from the neighbour who has a boat! You might even swap a home-grown lamb for some venison with a hunting mate,” says Lyz.
And then there are the moments that make it all worth it - sunrises, sunsets, and space to simply breathe.
Craig adds that rural living is also about close-knit communities, kids growing up outdoors, and the sense of space that’s hard to find anywhere else.
Moving to the country isn’t always easy, but it can be deeply rewarding for those who embrace both the challenges and the lifestyle.
As Lyz puts it, even on the harder days, the trade-off is worth it.
“I just love lifestyle living. I’m so grateful for the wide-open space and what it gives you. That far outweighs the difficult days.”
Ready for your country dream to become a reality? We can help. PGG Wrightson Real Estate have been helping people into rural properties for over 175 years, and when it comes to buying a house in the countryside, you’ll benefit from local knowledge, practical experience, and a team who understands the realities of rural living.
From lifestyle blocks to working farms, we’re here to guide you through every step of the journey and help you find a place that truly feels like home.
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