If the pandemic has made you long for a new lease on life, you’re not alone. According to some statistics, Americans are buying new homes, relocating entirely, or even outright quitting their jobs in search of something new and more fulfilling. Perhaps you live in the city and are tired of the sights and sounds of the “concrete jungle,” or maybe you just like the idea of taking a long vacation and getting to spend time outdoors. Regardless of your motives, it can make a lot of sense to move to the mountains and get to breathe in the air of a higher altitude. Here are a few tips to keep in mind as you look to relocate to the mountains.
1. Find a good plot of land.
If you’re going to live in the mountains, you need to find a place to move to. This may sound obvious, but if you’ve never looked for real estate in the mountains before, you might be surprised to realize that there are some websites that specialize in mountain land as opposed to just traditional home listings. Just because a listing is advertising mountain views or a short drive to town doesn’t necessarily mean that it’s the wilderness oasis you’re looking for, as you may wind up in a subdivision that feels more like suburbia than the great outdoors. Looking on specific websites for a parcel of mountain land for sale can thus be the best way to find mountain land and acreage that fits your needs and isn’t just meant to be a recreation property.
2. Outfit your truck.
When you make the move to the mountains, it’s a good idea to upgrade your vehicle. Just because you might have easy access to some of the main roads in the area doesn’t mean that you won’t be on some rough trails or roads as you travel around town. Ensuring that your truck bed’s cargo area has the right kind of equipment to keep whatever you’re transporting in it all together is more important than you might initially think when surveying the terrain. That being said, with the right cargo management system, you’re bound to keep all of your accessories accounted for as you traverse the bends, inclines, and declines of mountain terrain.
3. Get some new hiking gear.
Part of the benefit of living in the mountains is being so close to nature, so it’s a good idea to upgrade your hiking gear if you already have some. Hiking boots are a necessity for sure, especially if you’re going to be hiking near waterfalls or other areas where side rails may be less plentiful and the terrain can get wet or muddy. Beyond hiking boots, it might be worth considering purchasing ski equipment or even an ATV depending on the kinds of recreational activities you plan to enjoy in the high country.
4. Brush up on your cooking skills.
If you’re someone who struggles to get dinner on the table at the same time each night, living at a higher altitude could be tricky for you at first. This is because simple tasks like baking or boiling water can sometimes take a much different amount of time than you may be used to at a higher altitude. As such, it’s a good idea to do some reading ahead of time so that you know what to prepare for as you move and begin to cook food for yourself in your new mountain home. Especially if the closest grocery store is no longer within walking distance, you won’t want to have to try to rebake your cupcakes multiple times in one day if it means multiple trips out!
