Rural Residents VS. city dwellers insight (farmers, house, tractor, loader)

[tallrick]

This may seem odd, but it has been my experience that rural residents seem more aware of the financial disaster that awaits the USA. They are also more likely to rig up alternative energy systems or economize in general. More can fix their own homes, or equipment than the average city resident. There's also less dependancy on others in general, a more independant spirit. While most people want socialism or fascism in their Government, people who live in the country seem to prefer Government to leave them alone. Is this a mistaken set of observations?

[alleycat]

Well, I believe your observations are basically correct in a general sort of way, but in many places the old distinctions between rural and city are beginning to blur. It used to be a "us" and "them" sort of thing, but it's much less so these days except in the really sparsely populated sections of the country.

[arctichomesteader]

Same holds true now as 200 years ago...take note of how Jefferson wanted America to be a nation of independent, land-holding farmers...even in his day those in cities wanted more government, in general, as opposed to those outside of cities...

Basically, a person who has no or little need for government, will want less of it than those who depend on it.

[HighPlainsDrifter73]

I feel the less dependent you are on government the better. How does that old saying go that a government that is powerful enough to grant your wishes also has the ability to take away from you what it wishes. Scary huh?

I've always been a person who, when something breaks in my life choose to fix it myself when I can. I've done all kinds of work around the house and especially on my cars. Once my air conditioner went out and I was able to 'reset' the compressor unit instead of calling someone. My neighbor was amazed that I actually did something like that. He indicated that he would be afraid to touch the unit. I told him he's an airconditioner repairman's dream.

When we used to live on a farm, my parents wouldn't dream of calling a high priced repairman to fix things. We did it ourselves. Being self-reliant is a desireable quality. I don't like being dependent on others.

[Bear Creek]

I live on a small rural farm. From what I see, the price of gas is hurting us in too many ways. It takes away what I call the "little money." The money you give the kids or the money you might treat yourself or spouse with. I'm sure more people will be buying at local farmer's markets, but that's just June through October. I'd like to have solar or wind power, but it's relatively expensive right now. We repair most of our own stuff. Plumbing, electric, tractor, trucks, cars....it may not look good but it runs. I think it would be difficult to be, say 95% independent, as in off the grid and raising all our food, but it is doable. I don't really like raising animals and killing them to eat. I'm becoming a vegetarian!

[arguy1973]

I dont ever remember my dad or grandpa calling a repairman for anything, ever, except for once when the well went out. If it broke we fixed it, of course we lived 15 miles from town and "town" being a population 1500-lol. Now that I have a family Im the same way, Im not afraid to tear into a plumbing problem or whatever vs calling a high priced repairman and being at the mercy of them.

[sean98125]

I think there's a lot more willingness in small towns to step on and help someone out if they need a hand with a bigger repair job. And also a greater willingness to accept that help. There's a feeling that it doesn't make sense to spend money or to allow your neighbors to spend money on something you can just do yourself.

[Cali BassMan]

Well there's the convinence of it, In town your always busy, living the rat race so to speak, pick up the phonebook there's 50 repaimen willing to come fix something, in the countryside, there isn't the repairman redilly available, and alot of times folks just can't afford to have others do work they can do... and alot of city folks just don't like gettin dirty.....

[UpperPeninsulaRon]

Originally Posted by sean98125

I think there's a lot more willingness in small towns to step on and help someone out if they need a hand with a bigger repair job. And also a greater willingness to accept that help. There's a feeling that it doesn't make sense to spend money or to allow your neighbors to spend money on something you can just do yourself.

There really is. What doesn't hurt is that most rural residents have a lot of firepower available at their disposal. Like a neighbor who happens to have a huge backhoe, another with a pretty serious home machine shop, many welders and some industrial strength toys myself - it all adds up to a very inexpensive way to get things done.

Plus, we all tend to look at this stuff as fun, not work.

[tallrick]

Even myself, living in a suburban area, have an air compressor, air tools, engine stands, Bobcat loaders, lathe, and other tools. I have done favors and jobs for neighbors, as well as my parents for years. You would be surprised how many times I have saved a friend or neighbor from a disaster. The short time I lived in the country, I recieved two favors- once getting my car pulled out of the mud and another was help fixing the tracks on my dozer. I have yet to recieve help in the suburbs from someone who knows what they are doing. Having the space that the country brings means that you can have the machines and materials, and in my case also two bowling lanes for friendly get-togethers. Right now they wait in storage.