I moved from Boston to the upper Midwest in 2008 for school and haven't left. I tried moving back into the city and it was not enjoyable and left after 9 months (traffic... ugh, I don't know how you people do it!)

I live on 20 acres on the back side of a farm quarter, have a 2,000/sqft garden, a tractor, a big truck, ATV's, dirt bikes, a river in the back section of the property, wildlife, a dog, farm land, clean air, and the best drinking water! We regularly have bonfires, do target shooting, watch the sunset (and sunrise which can be even better!), and the stars are way bigger here.

I'm about 20 mins out of "town" which is about 60-90K people. I rent a small 12x12 office in town for $200/mth where I get internet (75down/15up) to work. Considering my 3br, 2bth house rent is $400, I think I am ahead of most as far total cost of housing.

I have everything I need, most of what I want, and very little of what I don't want. It's a great lifestyle. I have found that the people here are what keeps me.

There are a few things to note...

1. Rural life requires that you be creative and assertive to survive, no one will entertain you. For example, if you want to attend a meetup every week on React... you better start one. Want to have your choice of farmers markets... you should just plant a garden. That isn't to say we don't have farmers markets, concerts, festivals or things like that but there are fewer of them and they aren't as grand as they are in other places. In general, we have "everything" but we don't have all the choices.

2. Building a community can be difficult unless you are intentional. I am active in my church which makes a big difference and is where I find most of my friends (my family is still in Boston). If I didn't have that, I don't know where I would find friends. This is especially hard if you are single. Often times, the people are very friendly. Don't expect to jump straight into a group and be best friends, things move slower, and take time. HOWEVER, once you earn trust you are "in" and the people care deeply about you. I can't even explain it. I can list at least 5 people right now that, if I called, would drop anything and come help with something. Anything from help with car troubles (it's cold and snowy in the winter) to more sensitive and private parts of life which take years to develop. Relationship, I am firmly convinced, is life.

3. If you actually move out into the country prepare to get dirty. We mow for 3 hours a week at least. At least 2-3 large trees fall on our property every year that need chopping / hauling / splitting / burning. Gravel roads can be tough on vehicles. There is snow to move and spring cleaning / fall prep. It's work, but very fulfilling work if you are used to being behind a computer all day.

4. Finding another remote programming job is hard unless you are in the top 1% of performers in which case they probably want you on site anyway. The competition for remote work is FIERCE, I was lucky to land the job I did and am so thankful for it. Save some money just in case because you never know what could happen.

5. Don't expect to "change" things over night, everything is slower. People are open to listening to new perspectives but don't expect them to adopt them right away or ever.

AMA.