Retiring on an Acreage: Are You Buying a Dream or a Full-Time Job?
You’ve spent most of your life working, raising a family, building a career and putting everyone else first. Now you’re approaching retirement, and for perhaps the first time in decades, you get to think about what YOU want. For many people, that dream includes a few acres, beautiful views, a garden, maybe some chickens and a slower pace of life. But is an acreage really the retirement lifestyle you’re looking for?
I work with many buyers who are approaching retirement, and one of the things I encourage them to do when viewing a rural property is to imagine an ordinary Tuesday. Not a beautiful summer afternoon sitting on the deck with a glass of wine, but a regular day when there are chores to do, the weather isn’t cooperating and you’d rather be doing something else.
My husband and I chose acreage living, and we love it. We also put considerable thought and effort into making our property as low-maintenance as possible. Even with that planning, there’s always something that needs doing! I’ve watched people purchase beautiful acreages with established gardens and animals, only to discover they’ve essentially bought themselves a full-time job.
There’s nothing wrong with wanting to stay active in retirement. Gardening, working outdoors and caring for animals can be incredibly rewarding. But there’s a difference between enjoying those activities and being responsible for them every single day. What happens when you want to travel? What if your health changes? What if one partner is no longer able to help?
And then there’s everything beyond the property itself. Moving to a rural community can be a wonderful experience, but access to healthcare, family, shopping and social activities deserves just as much consideration as the house and land. Those beautiful summer listing photos don’t necessarily tell you what life will look like in January!
I often think about how fortunate we were to begin developing our acreage while we are still in our forties. We have the energy to tackle the bigger projects and establish the lifestyle we want. It’s something I reflect on when helping clients who are considering making that same move later in life.
So here’s my question: Are you buying the retirement you want, or are you buying yourself another job?
In my latest video, I talk about the realities of retiring on an acreage, the questions I encourage buyers to ask themselves and a few things you might not have considered. I’m certainly not suggesting you shouldn’t buy an acreage in retirement! I just believe that after working so hard for so many years, you deserve a property that fits the life you actually want to live.
🎥 Watch my video below before you make that move.
Considering a move to the Creston Valley? My Buyers Knowledge Centre has helpful information about purchasing property and navigating the unique considerations of rural real estate.
https://kootenaylifestyle.ca/buy/
Diana Klejne Personal Real Estate Corporation – Stonehaus Realty Corp.
📱 (604) 789-8202
📧 DianaKlejne@Gmail.com
