What is an outskirt home?

A cute white farmhouse on the outskirts of a country town What is an outskirt home? — It’s not quite rural but not the suburbs either. It’s kind of on the outskirts of both.

What is an outskirt home? It’s Not The Suburbs, But Just Beyond

Let’s be honest, I’m totally making this “outskirt home” thing up. When we first began shopping for a farmhouse, I scoured the internet looking for blogs and YouTube videos about how to go from living in the suburbs to living on an acre or two, at least 25 minutes away from the nearest stores. I found almost no help. As we drove to our first country house showing, I wondered where on earth the people grocery shopped and filled up their vehicles. There was nothing nearby!

What is Life Like in the Outskirts?

I did find some information about how to live in the REAL country, with horses, tractors and milk cows, which was fascinating! But what I really needed was a guide on how to understand (and not be afraid of) septic systems, how to properly stock a deep pantry, how to adjust to only grocery shopping three times per month and bits of advice on what to expect from such a move. Would my child be happy or lonely? What details did I need to be aware of as we house hunted? Were there things my suburbanite realtor wouldn’t know to tell me? Was I guilty of romanticizing country life? The lack of information is what gave me the idea to start this website – I simply could not find the information I needed.

So, here are my not-at-all-official definitions:

Rural Property: A home on significant acreage that is not in a neighborhood. There is no Home Owner’s Association, all livestock is allowed because you have full say-so over your land and the property is more isolated. You may or may not be able to see your neighbor’s house.

Outskirt Home: A home on a half acre or more that is in a more sparsely populated area. The neighborhood may still be subject to a Home Owner’s Association or a Property Owner’s Association. It is typically on a septic system with access to local water or a well. It is neither a close-packed suburb home nor a true rural property but is something in between. Usually found tucked just beyond the suburban sprawl but before the rolling pastures of open countryside begin.

The Quietude is Calling

Again, these are not official definitions but in an age where more families are being drawn to the quietude at the edge of town, I know I’m not the only one trying to define what my heart was longing for!