Your New Home in the Country

You’ve always wanted to live in the country and you finally built your dream home in a rural area. If you’ve never lived in the country before, beware of the rural lifestyle and don’t be caught being a “Citiot.” According to the Granite Hill Design Rural Handout – a Citiot is defined as: “An urban or suburban person, in a rural area, who fails to respect local culture or standards of behavior. Derivation: city + idiot. Opposite of bumpkin.”

You might be a “citiot” if you think…
“There are no rules out in the country.”
“Driving fast on these winding roads is fun!”
“Insects are pests, and should be killed.”
“Wildlife is dangerous, and carries diseases.”
“Everyone will love our decorative outdoor lights.”
“I have a well, so I can use all the water I want to.”
“Get your horse off the road. Roads are for cars.”

A few more bits of wisdom coming from years of living in the country:

• We like our privacy – do not under any circumstances cut down all of the trees on your lot so you can see our home.
• There should not be sidewalks on rural roads – do not petition the town office for money to be spent building a sidewalk in your rural neighborhood.
• Yes it is dark in the nighttime, no we do not need streetlights.

Any more questions about rural life? Talk to your neighbor, I’m sure they will be happy to let you know the ins and outs of living in the country. They truly don’t want you to earn the reputation of being a “citiot.”