If You're Going to Live in the Country

In Short

Written for urbanites dreaming of a rural exodus, this practical 1937 guide breaks down the full transition from city apartment to country home. Covering every phase of country living—from dealing with real estate brokers and choosing between building or restoring, to inspecting old timbers, managing septic systems, and handling unexpected winter repairs—it serves as a candid operational handbook. It has endured because its clear, witty, and grounded advice on navigating domestic infrastructure and rural logistics remains timelessly sensible.

The Story

The book opens by examining the fundamental appeal and practical realities of relocating to the country, weighing the financial trade-offs of commuting and entertaining against the quiet rewards of space. Once the choice is made, the narrative moves to selecting an ideal location, warning buyers to inspect access roads during mud season and research local school districts before committing. From there, it navigates the purchasing process, urging readers to work with reliable brokers and avoid offending property owners during negotiations.

With property secured, the narrative shifts to structural considerations, weighing the choices between erecting a brand-new house or restoring an old one. For those who choose an older home, the book details how to conduct a thorough structural inspection—checking sills for dry rot, beams for stability, and foundations for dangerous settling—or even how to purchase and relocate a dismembered historic home.

The focus then narrows to vital mechanical systems. The narrative explains the physics of well-designed fireplaces and chimney flues to ensure proper heating, followed by an exhaustive breakdown of water systems, from estimating per-capita daily consumption to evaluating shallow wells versus driven ones. It tackles waste management next, outlining the exact engineering required for a reliable septic tank and leaching field.

Interior decisions follow. The book offers guidance on choosing appropriate wallpapers, avoiding heavy draperies that choke out light, and furnishing rooms with functional simplicity. It also addresses the realities of keeping pets and small livestock, explaining the habits of house cats and farm animals in a rural environment.

As seasonal changes arrive, the focus turns to winterizing the home—insulating attics, sealing fireplaces with fire boards, and grounding wire fences against lightning strikes. When mechanical breakdowns inevitably happen, the narrative stresses the absolute necessity of finding a reliable local handyman to navigate domestic crises. Finally, the book concludes outdoors, advising readers to go easy on initial landscape overhauls and focus instead on manageable, high-yield plantings like grape arbors, berry patches, and dwarf fruit trees, bringing the journey of establishing a working country home to a satisfying close.

How It Unfolds

The voyage begins The initial decision to move requires balancing financial budgets and preparing for the hidden costs of country life, such as regular commuting fares and feeding unannounced weekend guests. Prospective buyers must carefully scout localities, checking seasonal road conditions and investigating local school populations before signing any contracts.

Evaluating the structure Finding the right property involves working closely with real estate agents and conducting rigorous structural inspections on prospective houses. Buyers learn how to perform tests for dry rot in foundation sills, evaluate whether to build fresh or remodel, or even buy an older house dismembered for transport.

Mastering the utilities Setting up a functional home demands technical mastery over fireplaces, water supplies, and proper sewage disposal. Detailed calculations ensure the household secures enough daily water volume and constructs a properly graded septic field with gravel trenches to avoid catastrophic plumbing failures.

Securing the homestead Living comfortably means decorating with tailored simplicity, winterizing the attic and chimney to hold heat, and learning how to handle sudden mechanical emergencies. The journey wraps up outside, showing how to work alongside nature by planting easy-to-care-for berry bushes and grape arbors rather than overextending on complex land projects.

The People

The City Dweller Seeking refuge from cramped apartments, this central figure wants space, quiet, and independence, but is initially ill-prepared for rural mechanics. They face unexpected costs, uninvited weekend visitors, and steep learning curves regarding home maintenance, ultimately transforming into a self-reliant householder who respects local conditions.

The Real Estate Broker Acting as an essential guide to the inexperienced buyer, this figure seeks to match buyers with viable properties while managing expectations. They stand between aggressive investors and naïve city folk, navigating delicate negotiations to ensure both parties reach a fair, realistic agreement.

The Local Handyman Possessing native ingenuity and an assortment of tools, this indispensable neighborhood figure responds to sudden domestic emergencies. They serve as a mechanical savior when pumps fail or pipes leak, bridging the gap between urban helplessness and rural self-sufficiency.

The Country Carpenter Naturally skeptical of old structures, this pragmatic worker points out every defect, sag, and rot in an old house with ominous head shakings. Their pessimistic assessments force the buyer to confront hard physical reality before making costly restoration errors.

In Its Own Voice

"In time it will dawn on you that part of the up-keep of a country home revolves around feeding your self-invited guests."

This observation highlights the unexpected social demands and subtle financial drains that surprise new country residents.

"Buying an old house is a good deal like selecting a horse."

Here the author compares structural home inspections to evaluating livestock, emphasizing the need to check for hidden flaws before purchasing.

"With life in the country, there are times when the innate perverseness of the inanimate asserts itself."

This line captures the sudden, overwhelming friction experienced when rural household utilities break down without a city superintendent nearby.

What It's Really About

Beneath its practical instructions on carpentry and plumbing, the book is an argument for self-reliance and realistic planning over romantic escapism. It examines the subtle cultural friction between city expectations and rural realities, proving that true comfort in the countryside is earned through mechanical understanding and respect for nature. The narrative questions the illusion that country life is inherently cheaper or simpler, showing instead that it requires deliberate effort, foresight, and adaptability. Ultimately, it asserts that building a home is a continuous process of learning how to work alongside physical laws, local communities, and the changing seasons.

Why Read It Today

This guide will delight lovers of architectural history, historic preservation, and vintage practical non-fiction. It provides a fascinating, vivid window into 1930s domestic technology, offering grounded wisdom that remains surprisingly relevant for anyone restoring an older home or moving off the grid. Reading it feels like sitting down with a clear-headed, witty mentor who refuses to let you fool yourself about the work involved in country living.

The prose is straightforward, engaging, and remarkably smooth, devoid of dense technical jargon despite its detailed coverage of septic fields, chimney dimensions, and timber frames. While readers must adjust to period assumptions regarding traditional household roles and social observations, these elements offer valuable historical context rather than friction. What stays with you is the book's refreshing candor and enduring respect for honest craftsmanship, thorough preparation, and the quiet satisfaction of a well-run home.