Three years ago, I relocated from Queens to the Berkshires. If you’re considering a similar shift, here’s what I wish I knew beforehand.
If you live in a major city, where you put your favorite face mask isn’t the only thing you’ve been pondering. Between closed restaurants, the difficulty of social distancing, and the dominance of telecommuting, the pandemic has inspired many people to fantasize about buying a home in a remote area with strong Wi-Fi and finally learning how to play the banjo that’s been gathering dust in their closet. Three years ago, I relocated from Queens to the Berkshires — and if you’re considering a similar shift, here’s what I wish I knew beforehand.
You Will Need a Car (or Two)
Living in the countryside undoubtedly entails added cost and maintenance associated with owning a vehicle, which is necessary. However, there is a sense of liberation that comes with being able to jump in the car at any moment without worrying about service interruptions or how many MetroCard swipes you have left.
Get Used to Driving… a Lot
The town I live in is surrounded by beautiful scenery and quaint New England towns; however, they’re all about an hour away from each other. If you need Whole Foods, it’s also an hour away. Additionally, when you need to get SodaStream refills or oat milk lattes, it’s the same story. Fortunately, we can get those now — and living in the country makes those simple pleasures truly valuable.
No Takeout? No Problem!
If you’re accustomed to Seamless taking care of your lunch and dinner plans, you will have to adapt to preparing your own meals. This doesn’t mean you have to hunt for game; instead, you’ll need to learn how to cook basic dishes unless you want to rely on corporate pizza chains every night. Trust me, you don’t.
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Invest in Outdoor Gear
Before my move, I would mock those who wore Birkenstocks. Now, however, I find excitement in putting them on. Moreover, you will need to stock up on essentials like hiking boots, snow shoes, parkas, fishing rods, and anything that Patagonia sells if you want to fully enjoy life in the great outdoors. Does this include Crocs? Absolutely. Luckily, my wife assures me that such “ugly” shoes are currently in fashion.
Being Outside is Transformative
I wasn’t much of an outdoor enthusiast when I lived in Queens unless there was a music festival involved. However, living in nature has positively impacted my mental health. It’s one thing to escape Upstate for a weekend, and it’s quite another to make interacting with nature a daily habit.
You Won’t Miss City Living
Ultimately, I thought I would miss city life more than I did. Once I settled into the rhythm of living in the Berkshires, I cherished how I never had to make reservations, spend a fortune on brunch, or attend a friend’s DJ set. Speaking of the arts, there are indeed world-class museums in the area, such as MASS MoCA and The Clark, both of which offer ample socially distanced space to explore. While the coronavirus crisis will eventually pass, the benefits of rural living appear to be here to stay.
