Your Guide to Working Remotely in a Rural Area

As remote work has become increasingly normal for many office jobs, Canadians have taken advantage of the opportunity to live in rural areas like towns, villages and out in the country. A few have even taken up homesteading to live self-sufficiently. There are many advantages to working remotely in a rural area, and with these tips, you can make it work.

Advantages of Living Rural and Working Remotely

Many Canadians have migrated out of large cities and transitioned to remote work as their company has allowed. For some, this has allowed them to achieve their dream of living in rural and more remote parts of the country. There are many advantages to choosing a rural location when you have the freedom to work remotely:

• Home prices are more affordable – With rising housing prices and interest rates, the dream of owning a home in the city is all but impossible for many Canadians. While rural home and acreage prices have also increased, they still are a far cry from prices in urban or suburban areas. The difference in price means a lower down payment, lower interest cost, and lower monthly payment, all adding up to more money in your pocket.
• Reduced cost of living – The savings associated with country life don’t end with the initial property purchase. Many amenities like groceries and entertainment cost less in rural areas. Those accustomed to city prices will find that their salaries are able to stretch a bit further when they live out in the country.
• Immerse yourself in nature – Even if you work remotely in the city, going outside just means dealing with streetlights and city traffic. In rural areas, you can relax on the porch with your coffee and laptop while enjoying glimpses of nature and wildlife and take advantage of the land to go hiking or raise animals during your downtime.
• A stronger sense of local community – Since there are fewer inhabitants in rural areas, living in one gives you a chance to become part of a tight-knit community. There are also still opportunities to work outside your home in the town library or coffee shop if you desire.
• The relaxed pace of life – Compared to navigating traffic to go into the office for eight hours a day, spending your day working from your rural home is much quieter and more peaceful. This makes rural living ideal for anyone wanting to get away from the hustle and bustle of urban centres.

Tips for Working Remotely in a Rural Area

Like any job, certain challenges come with working remotely, especially in a rural area. Use these tips to ensure that you use your work time effectively and have maximum downtime for rest and hobbies:

• Invest in reliable internet that can keep up with your job – The most important thing you need to be able to work remotely in a rural area is reliable internet. Depending on how isolated your property is, it can be challenging to get an internet connection that can accommodate your career. Research your options and choose an internet plan with high enough upload and download speeds that your colleagues can count on you to get all your tasks done.
• Make time to socialize with others – When you work remotely and live in a rural area, it can be easy to isolate yourself and fall into a pattern of never speaking to anyone. Left unchecked, loneliness from long-term remote work can impact your physical and mental health. Make sure that you are purposeful about communication, both with your colleagues and with your friends and family.
• Schedule breaks and end on time – Taking short breaks is one of the most effective tips for working remotely. It lets you hit the restart button and return with renewed energy, focus, and creativity. It might seem like a waste of time and is easy to skip when no one is keeping tabs on you, but a break every once in a while is helpful.
• Leave your work at work – It is a good thing for those who enjoy remote work that the world is becoming increasingly connected. However, it is more difficult to know when to log off and call it a day. Your brain requires rest to recharge and be able to perform at its best, and you don’t want to set the standard that you are available 24/7. Create set hours and stick to them as much as possible and enjoy your time away from the desk!